Cover letter opinions sought

In My Humble Opinion (IMHO)
1

I’m applying for a rockin’ job at my school library this fall, and I’m writing a cover letter to (hopefully) help me nail it. Most students, I’m thinking, will just fill out the application form with schedule information and GPA, and leave it at that.

The job is in the library Special Collection, which contains two original Shakespeare Folios and dozens of other old or important manuscripts. I’m studying dramaturgy with an emphasis in Shakespeare (and planning to earn a master’s in library sciences after I graduate, among other things), and this is pretty much a Dream Student Job. I mean, I REALLY want this job.

I spoke to one of the admin staff (not the woman who’ll be hiring me) when I was in town last week, and she said I might have difficulty being hired because I don’t have work-study funds this year – the Special Collection has a teeny-tiny budget, but they’ll spend it on somebody who’s perfect for the job. (Which is totally me, but they don’t know that yet!)

QUESTION THE FIRST: Now, the reason I don’t have work-study funds is that I went on Jeopardy! last year, racked up a great score (and absolutely slaughtered the Shakespeare category), and made enough money that the Feds didn’t qualify me for work-study. But I’m spending that money on tuition, books, and rent for this year, so I’ll be back in the work-study bracket next year. (I talked to my accountant, the Federal Student Aid helpline, and my school’s financial aid office, and they’re all in agreement about that.)

So, should I mention that in my cover letter? I know that the letter is supposed to be all about why you’re perfect for the job, and bringing up the Jeopardy thing is just “braggy” enough to make me a little bit uncomfortable. On the other hand, saying “you’ll have to pay me this year, but for the rest of my time at the university, I’ll have work-study money” seems like something good to say.

QUESTION THE SECOND: Living in Oregon Shakespeare Festival-Land as I do (and as the university does), there’s a lot of crossover between Festival staff and the university’s theater program. Specifically, one man, a dramaturg at the Festival, who does a lot of readings, lectures, and talks around town. I’ve met him a few times, and he’s absolutely brilliant. Everyone I’ve talked to about him (library staff, professors, coworkers, Festival actors) loves him. I want to be him.

When I talk about how my goals are in line with the experience the job will give me, should I say something like “I want to be the female version of Barry Kraft?” I think it would make my cover letter stand out to reference such a popular and well-liked member of the Shakespeare community here, and give them a good idea of where I want my career to go. On the other hand, I don’t know, maybe the head of hiring really really hates Barry for some reason or other.

Thoughts? Comments?

2

I’d go with addressing the work-study issue in your cover letter, but as a minor note towards the end (you don’t want to start out with “Hi, if you hire me, I’ll cost you money!”). Budgets are pretty typically tight in academic libraries, so you’ll have to justify them hiring you so they can justify it to their supervisor.

As far as mentioning “I want to be a female Barry Kraft”, I’d perhaps metion that he is a major influence on your course of study/interests or something along those lines, especially if your interest would be an asset to working with the collection.

Don’t neglect to mention that you would like to go on to get you MLS - as a librarian, it gives me a little thrill when one of our student workers says that - especially if it’s one who came in wanting to be a doctor or a lawyer - but even if it’s a student who came in believing they wanted to do it in the first place, because if it seems like a good fit, as they work, I’ll do everything I can to encourage it.

Side note:
We’ve got one student now who’s incredible. I would love to see her go on to library school - it’s not one of her goals right now, but I’m working on her when I can.

3

Here’s the letter as it is in draft form: I need a few lines to segue between the first paragraph and the two-column (side-by-side in Word) “you require/I offer” bullet lists.

For a semester last year, I was going to major in English and go on to Actually Be a Librarian, but then the siren call of the theater pulled me back in. :wink:

Dear Ms. [last name of woman hiring]

I’m thrilled to see that the Hannon Library is hiring for work in the Special Collection and Archives, as my interest and experience are directly in line with this opening. I’m studying dramatic literature with an emphasis on Shakespeare; after graduating from Southern Oregon, I plan to earn a Master’s in Library Sciences and a doctorate in a literature- or theater-related field. Dr. Barry Kraft has been a great influence on my course of study; I hope to have a career as successful and enjoyable as his.

You require:

  • Attention to detail and accuracy

  • Ability to work independently and handle responsibility
    I offer:

  • Inventory experience at a rare bookseller, specializing in first editions and signed copies.

  • Two years’ experience in copyediting newspapers (high school and college) and proofreading student papers.

  • Significant experience in managing a staff of four and organizing educational activities at a summer drama camp. Responsibilities included overseeing hiring, making decisions with the camp manager, and creating and implementing theatrical activities for middle school- and high school-age attendees.

Although I have no work-study funding this year, I expect to receive it for the 2006-7 school year, and for the remainder of my study here. Last December, I was a contestant on the game show Jeopardy!, and as a result of my winnings am temporarily out of the work-study economic bracket. However, after financing tuition, books, and rent for this year, SOU’s financial aid office tells me I will be again eligible for work-study funding. If hired, I hope to continue to work in the Special Collection and Archives until I graduate in June 2008.

Tracy Lord

4

Excellent letter. I do have a few suggestions.


Dear Ms. [last name of woman hiring]

I’m thrilled to see that the Hannon Library has an opening in its Special Collection and Archives department (or room, or whatever similar word best fits here in local usage), as my interests and experience ** make me an ideal fit for the position**. I’m studying dramatic literature with an emphasis on Shakespeare**. A**fter graduating from Southern Oregon, I plan to earn a Master’s in Library Sciences and a doctorate in a literature or theater-related field. Dr. Barry Kraft has been a great influence on my course of study, and I hope to have a career as successful and enjoyable as his.

You require:

  • Attention to detail and accuracy

  • Ability to work independently and handle responsibility
    I offer:

  • Inventory experience at a rare bookseller, specializing in first editions and signed copies.

  • Two years’ experience in copyediting newspapers (high school and college) and proofreading student papers.

  • Significant experience in managing a staff of four and organizing educational activities at a summer drama camp. Responsibilities included overseeing hiring, making decisions with the camp manager, and creating and implementing theatrical activities for middle school **(- deleted)**and high school students.

Although I have no work-study funding this year, I expect to receive it for the 2006-7 school year and thereafter. Last December, I was a contestant on the game show Jeopardy!, and as a result of my winnings am temporarily out of the work-study economic bracket. However, after financing tuition, books, and rent for this year, SOU’s financial aid office assures me that I will **again be eligible for work-study funding next year (semester, whatever). If hired, I hope to continue to work in the Special Collection and Archives ** room until I graduate in June 2008.

My resume is enclosed. References are available upon request.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

5

I agree - excellent letter, and I think Random’s changes are good ones.

6

To be honest, on the strength of that letter (as amended), I would interview you even if only to ask you about being on Jeopardy.

7

I don’t think I’ve ever heard the words ‘rockin job’ and ‘school library’ in the same sentace before. :stuck_out_tongue:

8

Obviously you haven’t spent much time talking to me! :wink:

Thanks for the edits, Random, and the comments – I’m FedExing it and my resumé over this evening.

Wish me luck! :slight_smile:

9

Good luck! I agree with Don’t Ask, and I don’t think you would be bragging if you mentioned it. It shows you know your stuff and you can think under pressure. :slight_smile:

10

Good luck!