A Stupid Mistake on My First Cover Letter

I hate cover letters. But, not for the reason you hate them. I'm actually pretty good at writing them, and I especially love editing them. So, why do I hate them? PTSD. 

I immediately get taken back to a stupid mistake I made quite literally over 10 years ago. Who is thinking about a cover letter mistake they made that long ago? Me. Apparently.

I went to Elon University for Strategic Communications (aka public relations). Writing has always been a key part of my work life. When it came time to apply for a big agency internship, I had to nail the cover letter. I had to show them I could write.

I carefully crafted a beautiful cover letter that gave them every reason to believe I was the right fit for this internship. I made a point to tell them in the first paragraph how excited I was about the opportunity. Except, that's not what I said. I said, "I'm so exciting for this opportunity." And that's exactly how they read it when they opened it up. Within 24 hours I had a rejection email.

I was devastated. How did they reject me so fast? I had great previous internships and relevant coursework at a highly respected School of Communications. I immediately poured back through everything I sent them. That's when I saw it. Exciting. I'm "exciting". Not excited, exciting.

It's okay to laugh at me. I learned an incredibly valuable lesson. I now have at least 3 people read my cover letter before ever sending it out.

Mistakes happen, but take my advice and go the extra mile to have others proof your resume, cover letter and any other component of an application. The fastest way to get thrown out of the running is to show you didn't take the time to proofread.

I do realize that even after my story of why I hate cover letters, you likely still hate cover letters for a totally different reason than me. You don't know what to write. You always end up unhappy with what you send, or you just don't send one at all, even when it's requested.

My friend, the cover letter does not have to be your enemy. It can actually get your resume opened and read. It can explain why you're applying, even if you know you don't meet every single qualification listed. It is a powerful tool...if you learn to use it well.

So, let me help you out on this one. Here is my proven Cover Letter Template that you can (and should) customize for any application and know you're sending the right info. I've even included my own cover letter I sent a few years back so you can see it in action. I know you'll stand out from the rest. Even if you don't need one today, I promise your future self will thank you for saving it.

Need resume help, too? Check out my 3 step process to creating a standout resume right here.