Wanted: magical cover letter

[Speedbag]

I'm on the hunt for a new gig.

My resume is polished to perfection, but I have to admit that I suck at writing cover letters.  They all end up sounding like a damned form letter that some robot lawyer composed.

Anybody got any sure-fire ones?

[derby]

if you want magic, you'll have to give us a little more than that to work with.

[lethe]

Well the obvious solution http://www.cover-letter-magic.com/ will be no help to you apparently.

[Vindingo]

I was just on a job hunt and writing cover letters was the worst part of the process for me, especially ones for unsoliceted jobs.  

It always seems like I have to blow smoke up the firm's ass or make myself sound awesome and I just cant do it.  

After sending out 15 cover letters and resumes, the one that got me the job was my least thought out.  I wrote it in ten minutes and sent it out at 11:30 at night.  At that point I said make the beast with two backs it, I dont care.... and the guy called me up at 8am the next day.  

good luck

[Statler]

As an employer, I get caught on things which need explaining...ie:  if you have thirty years of private practice experience, why the hell are you trying to work for me at an entry-level spot.   Unless you touch on that in a letter, I'm not going to guess and call you up. 

So if there is anything that catches attention on your resume...gaps...changing fields... etc., just touch on it and say you look forward to discussing it more.

[lauramonster]

resumes can't help but sound factual.  As stated, cover letters fill in the gaps.  For Statler, they fill in unanswered questions, for Vindingo, it filled in his personality. 

If I were to redo my resume, I'd try to let my personality show through.  It's not just a paycheck - it's 80 hours of my life.  I want to work where we value a lot of the same things.  Humor, teamwork, job ethics.  My attitude may not get me the first job - but if we don't fit - I wouldn't be happy so I wouldn't want the job.  (beck - I think I just gave away what age group I'm in!  Move over ducpainter!!)

Good luck - and figure out what you want - and GO FOR IT!!!!

[teddy037.2]

cover letter is nasty, filthy... blech.

we hateses it!

[Speedbag]

I was just on a job hunt and writing cover letters was the worst part of the process for me, especially ones for unsoliceted jobs.  

It always seems like I have to blow smoke up the firm's ass or make myself sound awesome and I just cant do it.  

After sending out 15 cover letters and resumes, the one that got me the job was my least thought out.  I wrote it in ten minutes and sent it out at 11:30 at night.  At that point I said make the beast with two backs it, I dont care.... and the guy called me up at 8am the next day.  

good luck

I actually wrote a pretty damn good one last night after about eight beers. Definitely more personality. Not even a single typo either.

I guess dark beer is the key to writing cover letters.....