Getting Jobbed

Looking for work is frustrating stuff. I try to write a cover letter from scratch when I apply for particularly interesting jobs that I want.

Here's you chance to tell me what I'm doing wrong. Check out this cover letter I wrote and look for typos ... or whatever else you can find.


Herding cats. That summarizes my early experiences with managing freelance writers. It was like herding cats. Fortunately, I quickly developed a strong pool of freelancers during my tenure as the assistant sports editor of The Salt Lake Tribune. It was those experiences as a manager that lead me to believe xxxxxxx's managing editor position is as perfect match with my qualifications.

      My tenure as a manager at a newspaper taught me much more than how to develop a network of freelancers, though working with over a dozen in-house staff writers and per diem workers was valuable training. Our newspaper had high standards and was named one of the nation’s top 10 sports sections every year I was a manager there. I streamlined our production process. I implemented better practices for our coordination with the photo department. I am confident that you could call anybody at any job I’ve ever had and get a rave review of my attitude, talents and abilities.

      Xxxxxxx’s job listing is exciting. You want somebody who’s creative. I think my writing in this letter attests to my creativity and communication skills. I’ve served as a copy editor at one time or another at all five newspapers I’ve worked at.  I’ve managed stories, video production and websites all in a span of a couple of hours. Best of all, this is a chance to work in management again. I thrive as a manager because I am a workaholic. On Sunday nights, I am prone to working from home on my couch.

      My wife and I moved to New England a year and a half ago hoping I would find an opportunity like this at some point. We moved to Maine so she could study to become a physician assistant. With that goal close at hand, it’s time for me to re-engage with my career-driven mentality. Believe it or not, it’s been hard for me to not be a manager. I guess I just miss herding cats. That’s why I look forward to hearing from you about this position.

Comments

  1. David CorriveauFebruary 14, 2012 at 7:47 AM

    I love it, but I don't work in HR, and if that's who sees it first, well, depending on the savvy of the particular gatekeeper, you either hit a home run with this or miss by a foot. Not much in between these days, alas. 25, 20, maybe even 15 years ago, an editor sees this first and is intrigued -- as were the people who became my bosses at my last two newspapers. Now, well ... my fingers are crossed for you (where at, BTW?). If you need a reference, drop a line to me at dacorriveau@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. David CorriveauFebruary 14, 2012 at 7:50 AM

    Also, as you're probably learning as you approach the age of eligibility to run for POTUS, most of these outfits are looking for people who come young and cheap -- like you did a decade ago. ...

    ReplyDelete
  3. CatherineFebruary 14, 2012 at 9:20 AM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  4. CatherineFebruary 14, 2012 at 9:22 AM

    Couple of things:
    • Last line of the first graf, you have "as" instead of "a."
    • You use "tenure" close together; could replace one of them with "time."
    • Newsy-grammary-style sticklers would replace the "over a dozen" with "more than a dozen."
    • "...at all five papers I've worked at." Another one for the sticklers - could change it to "all five papers where I've worked." Also, it looks like there are two spaces after that sentence.

    Also, I love this. I, too, like the creative cover letter. But as David said above, it depends on the gatekeeper. Is there a way to suss out the atmosphere of the potential job?

    (Also, my word verification was "stasiyr." Huh.)

    ReplyDelete
  5. JPFebruary 14, 2012 at 9:33 AM

    Thank you! I like grammar stickling. I'm not sure that's a word and I know I used it incorrectly.

    My theory on gatekeepers is this: I try *somewhat* to match what I think the atmosphere is. You can tell a little from the job listing itself. Is it bland? Is it safe? Or are they a little creative? Any hint of creativity on their part and I let it rip.

    Also, I don't really want to work for somebody who would be turned off by this style of cover letter. Some gatekeepers are invariably going to be turned off by what you write. I'd rather give it my best shot and see what happens.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousFebruary 14, 2012 at 12:20 PM

    Personally, I don't like "XXXX. That's what ..." leads. I loudly bitched about them on the copy desk. I think they sound lazy. May just be me.

    "I thrive as a manager because I am a workaholic. On Sunday nights, I am prone to working from home on my couch."

    This comes across as a little desperate. "I will turn over my entire existence to you if you bestow upon me he salary and benefits."

    Again, maybe just me.

    This is Streeby.

    ReplyDelete
  7. AnonymousFebruary 21, 2012 at 10:17 AM

    As the guy who said "boner" several times during an interview - and still became a finalist - I agree with David that this is all a crapshoot.

    Herding cats might be a cliche (that they love!) and desparation is a quality they covet, etc. etc.

    Good luck.
    Eddie D.

    ReplyDelete

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