The Cover Letter Saga — What All The Keyboard Buttons Are For
A cover letter about monkeys, typewriters, math and the art of copywriting.
In the past four months, I’ve written more cover letters than I care to count. With so many to choose from, and a lot of radio silence I feel like all the effort I put in is going to waste.
So, welcome to a segment I’m calling The Cover Letter Saga. A quick showcase for some of my best cover letters.
The Job Description
During a pretty underwhelming LinkedIn job search, I found an old ad for an open copywriting position.
Right away, I knew my chances were pretty slim. But something about the way the job ad was written really captured my imagination.
The Ad
How about a game? We’ll write a paragraph or two summarizing a desirable contract opportunity for a copywriter who’s tops at everything: concepts, headlines, scripts and long-form copy. We’ll take care to emphasize our flexible work culture (divide your time between home and the office as you see fit) and declare, non-fictionally, that we’re not mean.
You’ll reply with a letter and supporting paperwork that persuades us of your verbal cunning and your saintly character.
Before you do, though, you should check to make sure the list below smells like you. Have you worked for long enough to generate a solid portfolio? Do you play well with others? Can you craft a thoughtful, memorable cover letter that shows you know what all the buttons on the keyboard are for — and how to use them in a way that makes us forget all about computers, lunch plans and our earthbound corporeal forms?
Actually, I know exactly why I needed to write a response. It’s rare to see a job description written by a copywriter. Recruiters and hiring managers expect David Oglivy levels of finesse while providing very little to work with creatively.
When I am given something to work with, writing a cover letter becomes a response to a conversation instead of an excruciating chore. And honestly, I had a lot of fun writing this one.
The Cover Letter
So,
There’s an old adage that 1000 monkeys typing on 1000 typewriters will eventually produce the entire works of Shakespeare. Which is, (unsurprisingly), an inaccurate oversimplification of a theory from the math world.
But that’s the great thing about language and humans in general.
One person will contribute an idea that requires nuance and effort to understand. Then another person will come along and carve that idea up into bite-sized morsels for easy consumption.
If it’s done right, the dumbed-down version of that idea becomes an earworm. Misunderstood, hazily remembered but firmly embedded in the pop-culture lexicon.
Although similar, I think intention is what sets copywriting apart. Capturing the imagination of the general public can be unpredictable and frustrating at best. But in the hands of an experienced copywriter, ideas are polished to perfection.
They shine in a way that catches and reflects one clear, easy to remember idea, and I love that.
I may be a junior, but copywriting is my passion. Given the opportunity, I am very confident I can beat a bunch of typing monkeys and write some damn good copy.
Sincerely,
Selena Houle
