Friday, 8 February 2019

Networking: The art of the cover letter

Learning Outcomes: 6B2 

What should a Cover Letter do?

  • put skills and personality together in a story 
  • Show you know a bit about the place, be sincere 
Shouldn't do:
  • Long, waffle - stops reading 
  • Clear, well designed 
  • straight to the point 
  • don't include anything general, no general statements be specific about what your interested in 
  • don't be too informal in terms of language - context specific 
Important aspects:
  • Confidence
    • speak about skills in confident way, why relevant
  • Clear:
    • first impression, make easy to read - get to point 
  • Concise:
    • doesn't need to be long 
    • max 5 short paragraphs 
    • get peoples attention and introduction to work 
Tips from Web:
  • Don't repeat your CV - Forbes
    • how things your passionate about or projects align with company  
  • Research the company - The Guardian 
  • Tell them what you have to offer - The Balance Careers 
    • we have stuff to offer rather than focusing on what they can do for you 
  • Use a professional tone but don't lose all personality - The Guardian 
    • have some personality, context depending 
  • Finish Strong - Forbes
    • don't tail off - be to the point 
    • finishes on clear ask or point 
    • what you can bring to the opportunity 
    • don't loose purpose 
Grammaly/Hemmingway can help correct grammar etc. 

Outline:
  • Introduce yourself with clear ask 
  • Be light in some areas, why I'd be great fit and how work I've done aligns with the studio, trying to underline link between my work and theirs.  
  • Eager to learn for you and team - learn from whole team not just top dog
  • Why working there is important, what can learn from them - no substitute for industry, seeing how studio works day-to-day 
  • Underline motive, what looking to get 
  • pick up large amount in short spell - not going to be a drain or need babysitting 
  • Digital portfolio tailored for you, links to site and Instagram 
  • finish strong e.g. we could be so good together - link to song (relevant to designer, Craig Oldham) 

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