6A2, 6B2 - OUGD602 - PPP Session - Networking - The Art of the Cover Letter

Networking - The Art of the Cover Letter

- cover letters are tailored to the job you are applying for
- able to get across you personality within them
- able to show you know about the place and they are more specific

What you should not do:
- don't make it long as people won't read it
- don't put negatives in
- no general statements e.g. I love Graphic Design
- don't be too informal it needs to be professional

3 important things:
- be confident and positive - its about how you can apply our skills and how they are relevant 
- be clear - get to the point
- be concise - don't make it too long e.g. 5 short paragraphs

- don't repeat your CV - Forbes
- Research the company - The Guardian

- How does your work align with their work / themes?
- Tell them what you have to offer
- Show how you would fit into the team
- use a professional tone but don't lose all personality - The Guardian
- however it doesn't have to be really formal

- Finish strong - Forbes
- Reiterate what you can bring

- Grammarly and Hemmingway app allow you to check you spelling

- Subject Line: Placement enquiry / placement
- Try writing something appropriate to the company e.g. I'd rather be at Robot Food, as this shows your personality. Look at the about page or on the site to see if anything stands out. Emojis? If appropriate
- Do the Cover letter as a PDF using the same subject line as the email
- personalise it to the person or company e.g. Dear Robot Food Team


- Paragraph 1 - name, creative designer, place based in, 'looking to further my skillset in an agency environment, ---- been on my list

- Dear ----, Hope this finds you well
- Paragraph 1, studying at, interested in ---- e.g. socially motivated projects, like your work 
- Paragraph 2, how you would fit / great fit, talk about a project, how work inspired by work, link to work 
- Paragraph 3 -what you will get from it, learn from team, how studio operates, develop creative element of design practice, can't replicate industry, show motivation, list key things you want from it e,g how to balance projects, manage clients etc, show willing to learn
- Paragraph 4 - hope to hear from you