There is a lot of debate when it comes to adding a cover letter to your job application, many finding it time-consuming and unnecessary.
Don't overlook the power of a well-crafted cover letter.
Providing a cover letter gives you an opportunity to show interest in the role and what makes you the ideal candidate.
It can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview.
Unfortunately many designers avoid them.
Cover letters don't add value, so why bother
Other concerns I hear often:
• Time commitment involved in creating one
• Difficulty in tailoring each letter
• Uncertainty about what to include
Crafting a compelling cover letter doesn't have to be a daunting task.
In this post, I'll guide you through a three-step process to create cover letters that effectively showcase your skills and land you that coveted interview.
Let's jump in:
Step 1. Research the role and the company
Before you start writing your cover letter, you want to do a deep dive.
Conduct thorough research on both the position and the company.
Start by reviewing the job description: Pay close attention to the key responsibilities, required skills, and qualifications. Note any technical skills, design tools, problem-solving methods, and soft skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership skills.
It's also important to note the words used to describe tasks e.g., "lead," "manage," "develop". This helps to understand the expected level of responsibility.
Research the company: Go to the company's website. Look through the different pages and sections. The goal here is to gain a deeper understanding of their products, services, values, and mission.
Also, research their recent news and company culture to show genuine interest and alignment.
This in-depth research will enable you to tailor your cover letter effectively and demonstrate your understanding of the role and the company's needs.
Next:
Step 2. Align your skills and experiences
I've seen plenty of generic cover letters that simply reiterate information already presented in your resume. This is where most cover letters fail.
Instead, demonstrate how your skills and experiences directly align with the requirements outlined in the job description.
Transform an experience into a story
Go beyond simply just listing your skills.
Share an experience that demonstrates your proficiency.
For example:
Job description:
"Contribute to improving our design team tools and processes."
Cover letter example:
"During my time at [Company Name], I successfully streamlined our internal design processes and communication by leading a company-wide initiative to onboard the entire design team onto the Figma platform."
Compelling stories are powerful. Effectively communicating your value proposition to the hiring manager can increase your chances of landing an interview.
Final step:
Step 3. Crafting your cover letter
Write your cover letter with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
Start strong: Begin by expressing your enthusiasm for the position and the company. This shows your genuine interest and strengthens your application. If you have a referral, mention them in the first sentence.
Highlight your value prop: In the body of your letter, showcase relevant skills and experience which align with the job description. Use bullet points to highlight key achievements and quantify your accomplishments whenever possible.
End with a call to action: Conclude your letter with a confident and professional closing. Express your interest to learn more about the opportunity and request an interview. This will increase your chances of getting one.
Remember to keep your cover letter brief and professional, no more than three paragraphs.
Conclusion
By using this structure you can tailor your message to each specific opportunity, and increase your chances of landing an interview.
1. Conduct thorough research on both the position and the company
2. Align your skills and experiences
3. Structure your cover letter with a clear beginning, middle, and end
And keep your cover letter brief and professional!
Thanks for reading, and see you next week!
Anthony Faria
the Designer's Roadmap
Helping designers navigate the path to success
When you're ready, here are few ways I can help you:
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