Having a strong cover letter can help get your job application noticed by employers. But some students struggle with how to craft their letter to be engaging and original.
We asked friends of OMN who work in professional media about their tips on making a good cover letter.
'You should tell a story'
Donald Orr, former KBVR station manager and current OPB producer, recommends using your cover letter to show off how you write, instead of repeating your resume.
Donald Orr, Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland:
"When you’re writing a cover letter, you don’t want it to just be a rehash of your resume line by line, job by job. The cover letter is a place where you should tell a story — tell a story about yourself, your experiences, and how those experiences shaped you to be a great candidate. The cover letter is where you can show how you write, and more importantly who you are, your personality. Show that you’ve done your research about where you’re applying to — become familiar with that newsroom/station’s coverage, their mission and how you’d be a good fit to help that mission. Don’t just send a general ‘one fits all’ cover letter to multiple places. Do your best to tailor your cover letter to the specific organization and the internship/job. With both the cover letter and your resume, make it a single page."
The Oregonian's Elliot Njus says the story you're writing in your cover letter is about you.
Elliott Njus, The Oregonian director of content:
A cover letter for a job in journalism — particulary for a writing job — should show that you can tell a compelling story and connect it to a main idea. In this case, the main idea is that you should be chosen for the job.
'Know the publication'
Understanding what the publication is, the things they cover, and their style will help you write your cover letter, says Diana Moskovitz of Defector Media.
Diana Moskovitz, Defector Media investigations editor:
The thing that stands out the most is how quickly I can tell if they read us or not. I realize there is a lot of pressure to apply fast (and faster!) but taking the time to show that you know the publication helps. It's also a good idea to include some pitches/ideas that you'd like to work on at the publication. These make a huge difference! They show me that you read us (yay!) and you are ready to contribute (double yay!). The ideas do not need to be perfect, but at least in the ballpark of "yes, that's a story we would pursue." The only other thing is please keep it to one page. Unfortunately, none of us have time to read more than one page nowadays!
Similar experience to the job you're applying for
KHOU-TV's Wiley Post recommends drawing a connection between your own work and the work the station does. That could mean reviewing recent work at the organization and expanding on it, or showing how you've done similar things.
Wiley Post, KHOU-TV, Houston assistant news director:
"Relevant experience … key word relevant. (That means) connection to the job and/or community you’re applying for."
Got more tips for students on cover letters? Let us know, and check out this article from Poynter.