I am the editor of a magazine (that shall remain nameless) who sifts through hundreds of resumes every time I post a vacancy.

Each time, I am shocked that a very basic principal escapes so many of the applicants: When you are applying for a position as a feature writer, why on earth would you write your cover letter any differently?

The letter should be written in the same way you would approach an article. Before I even read your work samples, I am already convinced that not only can you tell a story, but you are clever and understand how to get a reader’s attention.

That’s cover letter gold in my book.

Food for thought…

However, I always stayed out of office gossip. So maybe I missed the club meetings.

The secret editors club exists!

Great post as usual.
I agree with not dwelling on those we don’t; if you’re a good writer and are applying for a lot of jobs, you should have work in no time.

My biggest challenge lately? Those editors who respond back to queries and say “keep ‘em coming” without accepting an article. I move them to the top of my “to book” list

Erika

I always ask the vague ones for more info.

There can be a certain cache (don’t know how to add accent market in this format) to showing one doen’t need the work…in other words, if you have a Web site, you can invite someone there to see your work.

I know a few established writers who do this. I don’t do this, but provide links to a few clips (along with cover) and invite people to google my name for more. But I don’t even go that far if I feel the job isn’t a fit. Those opportunities that aren’t (an example for me would be sales writing) aren’t good for me, even if offered.

Generally I don’t answer vague ads especially if they don’t give a payment range. I’ve found that too often these are assignments below my accepted level of pay or are SEO work that I choose not to do. When I do respond, I generally say something about how I am well-rounded and have experience writing about a wide range of topics because I have been freelancing for xx years. If the post doesn’t give specifics, then it is hard to create a targeted cover letter.

But how do you handle those 5 line announcements that may or may not be legit with very vague subject guidelines (ie health or travel)? I mean, there’s not enough to go on to target the employer, and there’s a good chance that whatever you send will receive a response in the form of a mass email.

In short, my question is: do you always submit cover letters for all types of announcements or do you only do so when you have enough info about the company or employer to adequately address them and their job opening?