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SEEK didn't have to go far to find this excellent cover letter. Its author applied for a job with SEEK, as a part-time online editor. I hired her!
SEEK has two producers and between us we manage content on multiple websites: four different zones in two countries. It's an enormous task and we needed help. We were looking for someone with excellent editing skills, who was familiar with working online and who would be available to work flexible hours. The hours are unlikely to increase substantially, so it wouldn't suit someone who was after full-time permanent work.
We received scores of applications for this position. Because of its part-time nature, many applications were from students doing writing and editing courses. Sabrina's application really stood out because of its excellent cover letter. It made me read her CV in much more detail, but I called her in for an interview right away on the strength of her covering letter.
Why was it so effective? Sabrina did all the textbook things — she addressed the requirements we had outlined in the job ad and used examples to support her claims. But the first paragraph was inspired. It caught my attention and convinced me that this was someone who understood why this job was important and how it contributes to the business.
Sabrina's letter also stood out because she told us that she wanted to work part-time and why this suited her. She also made an insightful reference about the work environment she wanted to be part of. We hire on the basis of skills but also on how we think someone will fit into and contribute to the distinctive workplace culture of a frenetic Internet start-up.
I would only suggest a couple of small changes that could improve this letter. Sabrina could have addressed the letter to our HR Manager by name: a phone call to our switchboard would have provided this information. Second, she could have emphasised her theoretical knowledge of online publishing and not so bluntly acknowledged her lack of direct experience in this area.
Here's the letter by Sabrina Adams which won her an interview — and the job.
Dear Sir/Madam
I am writing to express interest in the position of part-time Content Editor you currently have advertised on the SEEK employment site. I am very excited by this opportunity to apply. I am an excellent sub-editor, with a finicky eye for detail, and a passion for punctuation. If you'll excuse the extended metaphor, editing is like fine surgery: you need strong diagnosis skills, a light but sure touch, an ability to transform the interior without disturbing the beating heart, and an awareness of the ticking clock. If I had a medical degree, I'd be a great surgeon, but since I spent five years studying the English language and all its parts, I became a great editor.
I am also a strong writer. I have contributed to a number of student publications and an anthology which I helped edit and produce. I work quickly and confidently and I love what I do. I am extremely motivated and a great manager of time, I learn quickly and I have strong analytical skills. In my time at [publishing company], I have had to develop relationships with a number of people, other editors, authors, designers and printers, and I have found I had a knack for developing productive relationships with all these people very quickly. I have also had to use innovative research skills in fact-checking and compiling additional resources for information texts.
I take a lot of pride in a job done well and set high standards for myself, to ensure the work I produce is of a consistently high quality. I am not seeking a 'corporate' work environment (I don't have the wardrobe for it and even if I did, I'd always feel like I was wearing someone else's clothes!), but a productive and fulfilling one. I want to work with a good team of people who, like me, love what they do and want to do it well.
As far as web skills go, I fall loosely into the 'otherwise brilliant' category. I am extremely excited by the possibilities of the Internet and I do understand the practical and theoretical differences between writing for the Internet and writing for print media; however, I do not have hands on skills with writing for the Internet. You will find though that I am an extremely fast learner and highly adaptable to the demands of a new workplace. I have had to learn a number of new skills at [publishing company], often in a self directed capacity. I expect to hit the ground running in any new job. I would be willing to do any additional training required, in my own time if necessary.
I am particularly interested in this position as it is part time, which would allow me to continue freelancing at [publishing company], which I love doing. They are a good group of people with an exciting and innovative publishing list.
Please consider my application as I have a lot to offer and would embrace the opportunity to show off these abilities.
Best wishes
Sabrina Adams
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