Assessing Who You Really Are

A cover letter is utilized to sell yourself, but precisely what about yourself are you selling? For one who spends twenty-four hours a day with yourself, you actually can be surprised to find how little you understand about yourself. This was (and still is to a degree) the truth with me. When I first sat down to construct a cover letter, I was confronted with some unnervingly challenging considerations. What specifically are my strengths? How will they profit an employer? Do I even have any valuable skills at all?!

As you keep an eye out on the modern world, it may well be a struggle, or at the very least counterintuitive, to turn it around and seriously look at just who you are. Even when you do attempt to discover who you are, your self perceptions are often different from the way the world sees you. Have you ever noted how your voice sounds entirely different when you hear a recording of it, but it sounds completely typical to other people? It’s the very same rule here. We see ourselves differently from the inside out than others do from outside in. Because how you are thought of by other people has some highly practical applications (ie. how your prospective employer perceives you), there are a few ways which will help you understand the way the world sees you.

Consult with the people who you are nearest to. Your good friends and family members typically know your strengths, personality, and habits (and quirks), better than you will. By asking them, you can locate some gems available to incorporate in your cover letter (and résumé). If it feels embarrassing, just inform them that you are performing a self assessment to assist you to develop a cover letter. Some questions you can ask are:
What are my strengths/weaknesses?
What are my best personal attributes?
What employability skills do I possess? and
What am I naturally efficient at?

Of course, you might have to take some of these replies with a grain of salt, as some people (your mother, maybe?) will tell you what they suppose you want to hear to help you feel good about yourself. Once again, explain why you’re asking them, and ask them to be truthful with their responses.

I learned that it is worthwhile to generate a skills assessment matrix from my university career center. You can do this by getting a piece of paper, and recording employability skills down the left hand side. Such skills could include:
Intelligence
Communication
Conflict Resolution
Creativity
Customer Care
Flexibility
Initiative
Leadership
Motivation
Organization
Problem-solving
Responsibility
Teamwork

Go ahead and add any others that you feel are needed.

Next, across the top of the page, write down some of the places in which you are most likely to have used these skills, for example work, school, and other extracurricular or volunteer activities.

Now, fill in the grid, using specific examples from those activities. I found this activity to be particularly useful and gained loads of clues about who I am and what I’m good at. This can also give you a great jump start using the STAR method, which I will touch upon in a later post.

By using these tools, you are on the right trackto discovering precisely what you have to offer an employer.

What other tools have you used to discover who you actually are? Tell me in the comments below!

Frequently Asked Questions About Cover Letters

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is usually a letter of introduction which accompanies the resume and other applicable documents when you submit an application for the position you desire. You may also utilize it any time you send an unsolicited application. It is really an important asset available for you with your search for a job.

Why is a cover letter beneficial?

The resume itself has little significance to the employer because they need to know what sort of job you are searching for. A cover letter answers this question so the employer gets a feeling for your interests, qualification and area of specialization.
The resume sheds more light on important things your resume doesn’t have much information regarding. For instance, if your resume shows a space in time between your graduation and professional life due to health concerns, or if for some reason you were unable to work. The cover letter can mention the true reason for the lapse in your quest for a career and present it in a positive way.
Moreover, the employer will seldom spend more than 20 seconds on your resume on it's own. A resume doesn’t possess sensitive information that can reveal your character to the readers. This is the reason a cover letter is essential for your resume. It helps you create a bond with the employer.
The first thing the employer must notice when he / she opens the envelope has to be the cover letter. It needs to make a great first impression. The cover letter can handle the mood of the reader towards your application. A cover letter is particularly very important for high profile jobs in corporations. If you can't present yourself in an interesting and clear manner, your prospects for the job will diminish greatly.

Do I need to include a cover letter with a job application form?

Many people think it is not important to send a cover letter along with a job application form. However, it is actually crucial to include one. You need a cover letter with a job application to ensure that you get the correct attention from the employer.

Do I need to use same header for my cover letter as my resume? 

Copying the same header from your resume is a good idea. It shows consistency and makes them both uniform in format.

How should I address a cover letter with no name? 

Having the name of the individual who will be interviewing you or reading your cover letter is ideal. Make every effort to learn the name of the individual. However, when there is no particular name you can use to address the cover letter, the best thing to do is skip a salutation.

How should I address a cover letter to a board? 

The best way to address a board is to use words like “Dear Selection Committee” or “Dear Human Resources”. Avoid making use of “To Whom It May Concern”.

How do I sign a digital copy?

If you are using a signature on electronic cover letters, you'll have to make one. You must sign the original letter and convert it to a PDF by scanning a hard copy. Then you can save the signature off from the PDF as a JPEG file and use it in the digital cover letter. Otherwise, you can simply type something like “/s/ Joan Peters” to signify that the missing signature was not due to an oversight or ignorance.

How do I indicate an enclosure in a cover letter? 

The enclosure is best mentioned right after the signature at the conclusion of the letter. There should be a space of two enters. Then you can list the documents enclosed with the cover letter at the bottom of the page.

How do I write salary requirements in a cover letter? 

To include a salary expectation, it is recommended that you first carry out some research. Be certain to find out what the market rates are for the post you are applying to. It's best to mention the expected salary as a range. For example, if you expect $5,000, mention it as $4,000 - $6,000.

How should I say that I am happy to relocate and will pay for it?

In the event that the company is far from your present location, mentioning your willingness to relocate is a good idea. Additionally, mentioning that you'll pay for your relocation will attract a welcoming response. You can say it in a courteous and interesting way. For example, “I know I am presently located in *****(city) but am willing to incur all the expenses that may be associated with relocating.”

What should I not include in a cover letter? 

Try not to over share things about you, particularly illnesses or disabilities. It is better not to try to sound funny by mentioning very personal experiences.
Boasting about your accomplishments is not a great idea. Be sure you outline your credentials as part of your cover letter, but let the employer appreciate you for your accomplishments after hiring you.

How long should my cover letter be?

The accepted length of a cover letter is a single page. You have to keep your cover letter as short as you can. This is because a hiring officer will only spend 20 seconds on your cover letter. Therefore, it must be clear and brief yet capturing and well written. In rare cases, a cover letter may be as long as two pages, but only when you have extensive work experience that is relevant to the job posting. A two-paged cover letter is usually seen in jobs for a senior position or extremely technical job positions.

How should I email my cover letter and resume?

The best way to email a cover letter and resume is to copy them from the main source and then paste it into the email platform. The cover letter needs to be above the resume. Make sure you send a duplicate by mail following your email.

How should I fax my cover letter and resume?

Only fax your cover letter and resume if the employer has indicated that it is okay to do so. Once it is faxed make sure there's a record that the fax has been received. Ensure that the fonts aren't in any other color except black. Make sure that the background and borders of your resume and cover letter are appropriate for using on a fax, otherwise they will not show up at the receiving end. Never use colored paper when faxing a resume or cover letter. Include a header with your name and contact information on every page.Be sure to use normal spacing between the letters to make it readable. Be sure to send a duplicate by mail following your fax.

Is it effective to send multiple copies - electronically as well as hard copy by mail?

Should you send a digital copy of your cover letter and resume, it is advisable that you also send a hard copy by mail. Sending more copies than this may annoy the employer and give them a bad impression. If the post you applied for stays open and you have not gotten an interview call, you may then consider sending more copies.

What type of paper and envelopes should I use?

The standard recommended size of paper is 8.5 x 11 inches. It should weigh between 16 and 25lbs, and have at least 25% cotton. The colour should be white, off-white or ivory. You can buy envelopes matching the paper to make it even more outstanding. A business number 10 envelope is ideal, but you may also use a 6 x 9 inch envelope.

Should I use a professional printer?

Your cover letter and resume should really be printed with a laser printer. If you don't have use of a laser printer, you should look into using a professional printer.

Can I fold my cover letter?

Yes, you can fold your cover letter. First, put the resume and cover letter together and clip them. For size 10 envelopes, fold them up to one third the length and turn it over. Then fold back down over the fold you just made so that it looks similar to an accordian. For a 6 x 9 inch envelope just fold it in half.

What to do in the event that you have submitted a cover letter with a typo?

If you have made a minor and non-offensive error, the most sensible thing to do is to let it go. Writing a letter to cover it up will only draw added attention to it. However, if it is a large error that could make your grammar appear poor, you may look into writing them to repair your mistake.

Follow up - what is appropriate/effective?

This question is challenging to answer. According to some people, following up is acceptable because it shows enthusiasm and keenness to get the position. Some employers are open to this. Alternatively, it might be a poor idea unless one is advised to follow up. If you do follow up, you can do so by calling or stopping by the company in person. Alternatively, you can also write them to follow up on your application. Here are some questions that might be appropriate for you to ask:
1. What is the next phase in your recruiting process?
2. Will candidates be contacted in the near future?
3. Does the business need more info with regards to your candidacy?
4. If you choose to visit the company, ask for the possibility to meet with the human resource person or to arrange for an interview. You can indicate a timeframe and share your eagerness to meet with them.

If you are interested in learning more about writing an effective cover letter, please visit Cover Letter Press.