Sports reporter, The Courier-Journal

How is a cover letter not about you? Like I get that it's not about what you want, but the point is to sell you. Why would you write about a job to someone who knows more about the job than you possibly could? Cover letters are about you and the job and how the two should intermingle and connect.

More important, if you "Tell them why they need you," you are very much making it about you.

 

Only if you're doing it wrong.

 

The thing is about resumes and cover letters is that there is no one type of letter/resume that people can agree on that everyone is looking for.

When I was unemployed, I went to my local Dept. of Labor office for some required counseling. Brought my resume. The official told me a multiple of ways to change it.

Few months later, I had to go back for more counseling. Brought back my resume. A different official told me to change it. Back to how I originally had it.

 

A great cover letter, at least according to this blog.

http://www.askamanager.org/2011/09/great-cover-letter.html

 

I hear ya. Best advice is to KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid).

 

That thing is six paragraphs long.

 

If your ever in the business of hiring sports reporters, it's worth watching out for someone who is extremely interested to tell you how much they'd improve your section. I was on a staff when we hired this guy. He was an egomaniac who was absolutely terrible at his job, and he didn't last long. He still left his final day believing he was God's gift to journalism.

IMO, if you're a reporter applying for a job, do NOT tell them why they'd be so much better with you. It's one thing to be confident that you can do the job and to make sure they know that, and that you can add some pop to the section, but don't get so carried away as to make it seem that as soon as you get hired, their section will somehow finally be credible.

Also, I'd be wary of cover letters or anything similar that is in third-person. You wouldn't think I'd have to say this, but I do. They're out there. Finding the balance between being confident and humble is difficult, but necessary. I wouldn't hire someone who sends me a cover letter telling me repeatedly how awesome he is. I'd be too afraid he'd be like that in real life, and that would suck working next to him every day. I understand you were the Mary J. Blige national fellowship/foundation winner for journalism and they only give one award out, but there's 50,000 foundations and about 1 million "national" winners.

I want to see meat and potatoes. Something with research like an enterprise story or a good feature with a peculiar angle. Something I know you put your stamp on in which I can look past the 20 professors you had proofread it and clean it up for you (which helped you win your big award).

 

good christ. the ad offered $15k a year. you get what you pay for. this is turning into one of the most ridiculous threads i've ever read on sj.

 

you know, this makes me wonder if you actually are going to try to hire somebody at this shit wage.

 

then i walk away with my hat in my hand. my apologies, creig.

 

Anyone get hired yet?