Yesterday’s post regarding the response to my job ad led to a flood of comments and emails -and not all in my favor. I did expect some disagreement, however. I think there are a few points still crying out for discussion. Specifically cover letters, quotes, attachments, and whether or not one needs to make the effort for an employer who, as one emailer put it, "asks for a lot."
So let’s get on with it, then.
Cover Letters
Are cover letters necessary when a resume and samples are requested? I think so. A resume lists the details of your past. Certainly it’s necessary but where’s the pitch? Resumes are very sanitary and list details. They don’t show style and they don’t really tell me why you’re perfect for my job. I personally feel a cover letter makes it a little more personal. The samples do give me an idea of your writing style, but those are assignments for other people. They still don’t tell me why you’re perfect for my job. I like to see the pitch.
Now, I can’t speak for others who are hiring, but I prefer to see a couple of paragraphs about the candidate. If I’m intrigued, I’ll move on to the resume and samples. If I’m not intrigued, I’ll just move on. Sending a cover letter saying nothing more than "attached are my samples and resume" doesn’t intrigue me. Again, I can’t speak for everyone who’s hiring, but one sentence doesn’t do it - nor does several pages. Generally a cover letter is a paragraph or two, you pitching yourself to me.
Rate Quotes
If quotes aren’t requested, I generally don’t offer. If quotes are requested, I give my standard rate. It wouldn’t occur to me not to. Why?
Because:
- It was requested from the person who might hire me and I believe in following directions.
- Because I’m confident in my ability to quote a rate equal to my experience and the job at hand.
- Because if the employer really likes me, he’ll be willing to pay me what I’m worth - or at least negotiate.
- Because if I don’t, I’ll probably be offered a low rate.
- Because I’d rather the writers set the rate than the client.
I don’t believe a job application is the place to play games.
Several commentators suggested telling the employer you need more information in order to make an accurate quote. I don’t have a problem with this. If anything it tells me you read the entire ad. I honestly believe most employers are fair or at least want to be fair. Judging from the response to my ad, they’re not being cheapskates, they’re paying what the market dictates.
Attachments
It’s suggested I’m a high maintenance client and not worth the effort for wanting resumes pasted in the body of the email. Perhaps I am. I would think it’s in your best interests as the person wanting the job to make things as easy as possible for me. I’m not trying to be difficult, but if I’m going to read 300 applications, who do you think I’ll appreciate more - the person who sent me links to her different articles or the one who attached a slow loading .PDF? You might not want to work with someone who doesn’t want to receive attachments because it’s easier to read something in the body of an email, but you could be turning down a really good gig because you don’t want to make it convenient for me. And I’ll never know you exist, so it’s not my loss after all.
Should You Make it Easy for Me?
Here’s a discussion topic for you. One of the comments said, "quite frankly, if a job prospect does not accept attachments or cannot bother to open them, I have no interest in applying for the job and it’s the employers loss.", when it comes to a job application, who deserves convenience more - the employer or the job seeker? As an employer, do I really want to be bothered with someone who won’t go the extra distance to make me happy?
March 15th, 2008 at 2:39 am
I think my biggest bone of contention in meeting the criteria for application is the process seems so very formal,and akin to positions which offer hefty remuneration — only to find the advertiser is exploitative and offers $1.00 per 500 word post (slight hyperbole,though not always!). Ergo,I’ve modified what I “put out there” to a more casual [read: lesser] approach and I’ve had success in doing so!
This, in the general sense,Deb, not in regard to the ad which you posted.
March 15th, 2008 at 2:47 am
I want to thank you for rolling out these blog posts. I’ve learned so much and realized how many mistakes I was making. It’s really made me blush considering how long I’ve been making these mistakes.
I sent a query today based on what I’ve leanred and received a reply immediately, “Great Response!!!” They went on to reject me because they only want local writers, but the fact that they took the time to send a personal rejection containing a compliment further validated the errors of my ways!
Thank you, Deb!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:09 am
First of all, Deb is not a high-maintenance client, in case anyone is wondering….
Second, writers are offering a service. This means that we need to give our clients what they want. If we can’t meet a client’s needs, then it’s not a good fit. Then both parties should part ways.
To me, this is about the Golden Rule…and the lesser-known version: He (or she) who has the gold makes the rules. The potential employer deserves the courtesy of receiving an application in the form they have asked for.
My clients are the reason that I am in busines and if I don’t treat them well, I won’t be in business for too long. It’s just that simple.
March 15th, 2008 at 3:29 am
I agree with what Debra just said about the application process being formal in comparison with the rates that end up being offered. There are a lot of vague job ads out there that I apply to because I don’t want to pass on a good opportunity but I definitely tend to put a whole lot less effort into the application when it’s one of those kinds of jobs.
If an employer takes the time to provide a decent amount of information and ask for specific things in my application (as it sounds like you did, Deb) then I’m happy to give a complete application. If the ad is vague, I give the basic information and a link to my website but I don’t go all out for it.
I think most of us writers apply to jobs on a regular (maybe even daily) basis and so it’s necessary to balance the time it takes to put in a great application with the time that you need for the rest of your work day.
As an aside, Deb, I think this series of articles was terrifically helpful!!
March 15th, 2008 at 3:53 am
Okay, before I dig into this discussion (and you know I will), I’d like some clarification, because you’re talking Chinese to me - or perhaps more specifically, you’re talking print publishing to a web content writer.
When you refer to cover letter… what in god’s name is that? Do you mean an email? As in, “Hi, I’m James and I want to apply for your job?” That’s an email. A cover letter is a literal letter that is attached to a hard copy CV that is mailed or hand-delivered. At least, in Quebec it is…
About resumes… What if an applicant doesn’t submit a resume? Would you like to see MY resume, listing about 100 clients in the space of a month? This makes no sense to me. Unless you want to see “Owner and Manager, Men with Pens…” But then, if I’m saying in my email that I own and manage Men with Pens, doesn’t that make a resume null and void?
*waits patiently before leaping in…*
March 15th, 2008 at 4:11 am
I always include any info requested in the body of the email. That includes my pitch, resume and any samples. It doesn’t take any longer to copy it than it does to attach it. I don’t open attachments myself unless I know who they’re from so I don’t send them to a prospective employer who may feel the same way.
March 15th, 2008 at 4:34 am
Sorry James, but that’s just being silly.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:04 am
@ Marijke - Pardon? I ask a legitimate question and I’m being called silly? Um, I won’t say what I think of that.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:12 am
Please. Let’s get through the weekend without drama.
James, yes, a cover letter can come via email It’s expected when one applies for a job one uses a cover letter for introduction. And yes, if I’m looking for a writer I would like to see his experience. My own writing resume doesn’t list every single bit of writing I’ve done in the past, but a listing of select clients and skills.
A cover letter doesn’t make a resume null and void, because a cover letter is your sales pitch while your resume lists past clients and skills.
Most employers expect a cover letter at the very least while others request a resume in addition to a cover letter.
Cover letters and resumes aren’t only for suit and tie jobs, freelancers use them too.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Interesting experiment, Deb. I have hired writers and bloggers, and many of the responses are downright scary.
@James - to me (and this may differ from what Deb means), a cover letter for a blog or web job is the introduction, the response. “I am James. This is why you should hire me. This is what I’ve done for others similar to you. Here are links to samples. Thank you for your time.” If someone applied for my job and said, “I’m James. Hire me. See attached samples,” and nothing more, I wouldn’t hire them either.
I have never been asked for a resume. If asked, I suppose I would list my clients that most apply to the job.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:15 am
@ Amy - Your vision matches with mine. I don’t see that as a “cover letter”, but an email introduction. I guess same idea, different words.
And I agree, putting “hire me, see attached samples” is dumb.
@ Deb - Your version of cover letter differs (or seems to, in my mind) from what Amy is saying. Am I reading wrong?
March 15th, 2008 at 5:20 am
No James, Amy and I are on the same page, I think. But if a resume is expected, the cover letter would be less about experience and more about why you’re the right fit for the job. If samples are requested, links are part of the cover letter.
Now, I know from the 300 or so people who responded to the ad they totally *get* cover letters. They know what one is and why it’s necessary. It’s just that everyone’s delivery is different. I think I take my lessons from when I worked in Human Resources and also as an Editoral Assistant who had to screen the freelancers resumes before passing them on to the Editrix.
In essence, a cover letter is a response to a job ad. It’s the pitch you give to get the job.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:25 am
Then we’re all on the same page. The terminology confused me and I thought that this was another magazine writer/web writer divide. For a second, I thought I operated completely differently than you suggested, but *pitch* is something I get.
Thanks for clarifying, and back to our regularly scheduled show. (Which, hopefully, will include no drama.)
March 15th, 2008 at 5:46 am
@James: An e-mail can, indeed, be a cover letter all its own. It’s becoming more acceptable for a cover letter to be written or pasted into an e-mail, rather than something one attaches to the e-mail. A cover letter does not have to be a separate attachment or piece of paper.
Who knows? This method of one’s cover letter existing within the text area of an e-mail may be attributed to computer viruses. It certainly does help when an employer doesn’t want attachments.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:15 am
To me, a cover letter highlights items that one wants to bring to attention to a particular employer, while a resume is more complete. If applying for tech writing, I’ll highlight that experience, for financial writing, I’ll highlight that experience (with links to clips for each), but resume is more inclusive and goes back to when I was an employee rather than just my time in freelance.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:28 am
I don’t mind going the extra distance on a job application. Of course, this depends on how bad I want the job, and whether the pay is worth it. Personally, I prefer to send samples as an attachment. If the client doesn’t want attachments - that’s fine. In this case, I may or may not apply. Unless the job ad states otherwise, I always send an attachment with my cover letter and resume. Once, I accidentally sent an attachment when a client requested e-mailed samples only (pasted in the body). Ironically, this mistake resulted in a long-term lucrative contract…I’m still trying to figure that one out.
March 15th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I can totally understand why James was confused by the term “cover letter”. The mode of communication has completely changed, and so has our formality. Cover letter has such a rigid connotation.
I have found that when I write my introduction letter/pitch/cover letter with style and voice and explain why I am perfect for the project, I get immediate results. I completely changed my approach towards applying for gigs after reading a guest post here.
And as an editor, I always respond to folks who do the same because it shows that they can write and gives me a sense of their natural voice. Clips only show one part of your writing style. Editors may have completely changed their original post or article. It’s happened to me, so I know it must happen to them as well.
Regarding, “quite frankly, if a job prospect does not accept attachments or cannot bother to open them, I have no interest in applying for the job and it’s the employers loss.” It makes me wonder if this is the attitude this commenter takes towards editors too. Your job as a writer is to get your message across and to make your editor’s life easier. Don’t do this and you will lose out on gigs, pure and simple.
March 15th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
For my book review site, I loathe attachments. I get them all the time and even some publishers will come in with viruses attached. You’d think in this day and age, everyone would have virus software, after all you can get some for free, but still there are those who fail to protect their computers.
(For the record - if you are a comcast customers you get McAfee for free, and AVG found online is free and quite well rated by Consumer Reports - I’ve used it for a year now and it picked up viruses that McAfee missed! So if you don’t have virus protection - go to http://www.grisoft.com)
My email letter that goes out to others has a link that takes them to my online resume which I tuck away from view on my site. It has everything they need to know there and lacks any attachments. I’ve had a number of people say they prefer that set up. One thing I will not do is use Monster jobs for anything. If a job is posted with Monster, I’ll skip it. The amount of spam my mom got after posting her contact info there was absurd. I’m thankful I set her up with a Yahoo account first so that all of the spam can be automatically deleted.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
IMO–If you’re going to bother applying you have to play by the Employer’s rules, but I do agree that sometimes the expectations are not worth the job offer, in which case it’s not worth bothering!
And personally, I don’t see why attachments or copy/paste are so difficult so why not just give what client offers?
Ann G: I had a similar exerience with McAfee and find AVG protects me better. Good advice!
March 15th, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Allow me to chime in on this ongoing discussion. While I wasn’t one of the 300 or so applicants (I never saw the add until today) I was intrigued to read all the comments.
While the principle of a cover letter via email (pitch) is clear to me I wonder what you think of this scenario Deb.
When I “pitch” my greatness to a job ad, I always include a link to my blog and my online portfolio. I figure that if a potential employer goes to my blog and reads my writing, he or she would soon know whether I’m suitable for the job at hand.
What is your take on this Deb as a potential employer? If the pitch is attractive enough, are you tempted to go further or would you want to see more?
One thing I don’t understand; while I have written in many fields, niches and markets before, how could I provide samples if the work is confidential? Surely I won’t be expected to do spec work or write articles just for display?
I guess what I’m wondering is this? Is it ok to include a link to my sites like I do and include a snazzy pitch, or is there more you as a potential employer would expect to see?
Just to clarify, I have gotten most of my work like this but I also wonder whether I’m missing out by not providing enough?
Thanks
And by the way, loved your posts, great information.
March 15th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
@ Monika - If you operate as a ghostwriter, then you should have samples on your blog/site that you can link to. Yes, you’re expected to write articles for display.
A blog does cover some of that. You can write, “My best work is what you’ll see at my blog,” but then what you are supplying as a sample is a blog post - and your client might hit on one that you don’t particularly want to showcase for the job.
It’s a better idea to have specific samples that relate to the job in question or a portfolio page where you have a few samples potential customers can browse.
March 15th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Sorry I disagree that by providing a quote that writers set the rate. Organizations generally have a budget in mind when they post ads (I know I do).
March 15th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
@ James: I hear you, but what I’m unclear about is to what kind of samples to provide. I could decide on “hairdressing” but along comes a client who is looking for “fishing”. I mean I could write thousands of articles and still not hit what they are looking for in terms of market?
March 15th, 2008 at 9:49 pm
I’ve stopped sending individual article links and pasting articles/resume information in my cover emails. I created a professional website, update it regularly with new article samples, and send the link to that site.
As for cover letters, the letter I send is parallel to the job ad. If the client can’t be bothered to tell me in some detail what s/he wants in a writer or a pay range, well then I will give a bare bones background on me until I get more detail. And I ask for more details.
One thing I have noticed, though, is the clients looking for bloggers seem to be much pickier about the application requirements than the print trade publications I write for. Why is that, do you think?
March 15th, 2008 at 10:48 pm
@James - The first time I saw writers talk about cover letters, I wondered whether they meant they were sending an attached paper cover letter too. When responding for paralegal jobs (glad I don’t do that anymore!), it was expected to type in the email a brief introduction ending with “attached is my cover letter and resume.” Perhaps that has changed now too, but I can understand your confusion. I do think a print cover letter is different than an emailed one — more along the lines of Phil’s thoughts — but this could be a whole other topic I think. What I send is my response to the ad. Whatever they ask for, I send. Since I’ve never responded to an ad asking for a resume, I summarize my experience along with my “pitch” for why I’m the best gal for the job. I think that is what most people call a cover letter now that we operate online with as few attachments as possible, but it’s still not what I think of as a traditional cover letter.
@Sue - I don’t know about everyone, but the lawyers I write for wouldn’t take time to click on a website and go through samples/clips/whatever you want to call them. In fact, I’ve had some ask me to copy/paste entire articles I’ve written into the email (which screws up the formatting) rather than post a link. Their reasoning behind this — yes, I’ve asked the ones I’ve gotten to know well enough to ask — is that they print their emails out at the end of a long day to read on the train or at home. They’re not necessarily online when they read their emails, and it’s easier to have everything right in front of them on paper. Once I understood the methods to their madness, the cutting and pasting seemed like less of a chore. Then again, these aren’t $2/post blogging jobs either, so taking extra effort is worth my time.
@Monika - I’ve run into this myself. I do have a set of standard writing samples on hand. Not published clips — just articles on topics I write about. I also have a few clients willing to let me use select published pieces as samples, but I don’t have many clients like that. When replying to an ad, I usually try to find the most suitable sample I have and send that. Even though I mostly only blog for lawyers, there’s a big difference between the practices (even within personal injury, drug injury differs from motorcycle accidents, for example). For most ads I just send the closest I have, and I don’t get any complaint. Generally they’re looking to see my writing and research skills. If I can research and writing about drug injury, I can tackle motorcycle accidents. That said, there have been a few (I think 3 in 4 years) I have written a new sample for, because I really really wanted the job. One was for the first food poisoning writer I wrote for, because I had nothing to show him that would have been even close to this topic, and I wanted the job so I could break into this niche. I would only do this to get a prestigious client, not a blind craigslist ad, and I don’t just dole out free samples on request. I chalk these occasions up to bettering my own career, and it’s really no loss when the samples can be used to show other potential clients. I do have a strong opinion about random ad posters who request free samples, but I think you know I’m talking about is different? (I desperately need some coffee…)
I also know a few ghostwriters who will send material they wrote for another client and block out pertinent information. I won’t do this for my own ethical reasons (i.e., I signed a non-disclosure agreement, and there will always be something identifiable that can’t be blocked out that could trace me back, and it isn’t worth getting a lawyer or myself in trouble). But this does work for some people (like press release writers, magazine journalists) in some cases. I could say a whole lot more about ghostwriters and NDA and ethics, but think I’ve rambled on enough about this. Deb may be tempted to boot me out of here soon.
@Scribette - I see your point, and I agree that most folks posting a job do have a price range in mind. That said, if I were an employer posting a job and had a budget in mind of $50 per article, but I left my budget out of my ad and got a quote from a qualified writer willing to do the article for $25, I would hire that writer at $25. I wouldn’t say, “You’re hired, but I’d like to pay you $50 even though you’re willing to do it for $25.” I thought that was the type of thing Deb was referring to.
March 15th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
@Amy — Rarely does a client come back to me and say they won’t read my website and send the articles within the document. I certainly understand reading hard copies of emails and documents — I do it myself — but that attitude also seems to send a message that the potential client’s time is more valuable than yours. But hey, whatever works for you is all that counts. My system has been very successful for me.
March 15th, 2008 at 11:56 pm
@Sue - I apologize if I came off like I was saying what you do is wrong. I was just trying to explain one possible other side of it, because you mentioned the picky factor. I used to think the people who asked me to go through my files and paste stuff were too picky for me to bother with, until I better understood their point of view. Now I don’t think anything of it. If I want a job, I do what the person hiring asks. If I think they’re too demanding in their ad, I don’t bother to apply, because I’m getting to be a pretty good judge of character just by reading the ads. If they seem difficult in their ad, they probably will be even more difficult to work for. The cut/paste thing doesn’t bother me anymore now that I understand it, but I’ve got a laundry list of other things that annoy me and that I won’t put up with.
March 16th, 2008 at 12:19 am
A little late chiming in here, but I think the whole issue of “cover letter” is actually an issue of semantics. We’d probably be better off calling it “cover copy” — we have a variety of choices in how we deliver it in today’s modern age of technology. Whether it’s sent via e-mail or snail mail, the cover copy is in essense you introducing yourself to a prospective employer.
When applying for jobs, I always start out with cover copy that’s conversational in tone. I include my objective, introduce myself, and mention past clients/publications. In the third paragraph I do the job of “selling” myself — I need to set myself apart from the other candidates somehow, and the cover copy is the perfect place to do that.
Then I close with a short sentence thanking the hirers for their time, and that I hope to hear from them.
Next, I paste in my resume, relevant links to writing samples, and then — and only if requested — I include my rates.
It would be interesting to see some samples of Deb’s readers’ cover copy and resume samples — possibly for a future blog topic.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:11 am
Amy - you just proved my point.
It is to the writer’s disadvantage to provide a quote as the employer would have paid $50 - but since the writer “set the rate” at $25, that writer is getting paid at a lower rate.
However, I think we (the blog) have argued this point before … and I think the consensus was to “agree to disagree” on whether or not to provide a quote.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:29 am
@Scribette - I think you and might I agree then. I read your line above (where you said “I disagree that by providing a quote that writers set the rate”) to mean that you don’t agree that the writer is setting the rate. If a writer quotes a rate and gets paid that rate, he’s setting the rate.
And yes, I think can be to a writer’s disadvantage to quote a rate. If someone asks me for a rate quote, I say my rates for blogging range anywhere from from $15-$50 per post, sometimes more depending on the amount of work involved. I tell them I’ll need to know the specifics of the position before I can offer them an exact quote. If they don’t like that as a response, oh well. But I’ve never had anyone complain. And I’m not hurting for work badly enough to sell myself out with a low-ball quote. I must have missed the “agree to disagree” discussion; I was sick for a while and wasn’t online.
March 16th, 2008 at 1:40 am
Amy - yes I do of course agree with that!
When I said writers do not set the rate, I was referring to writers who (rightly) quote rates at the market rate - based on their experience of course.
Some employers may not be willing to pay these rates - therefore, the writers in this case, do not set the rate.
But of course - the underbidders will set the rate.
Not sure if that made sense! LOL Time for a break …
March 16th, 2008 at 1:48 am
@Scribette - I see what you mean now, and I don’t disagree with what you’re saying. I really shouldn’t blogsurf before I’ve had my coffee.
March 16th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
@ Amy: what you said about samples does make sense I guess. Like you, I would never show actual past client work for obvious reasons.
Having a few articles sitting there talking in different voices might help, I can see that now. Question is, is it better to have them in PDF format on the site, or a simple Word Doc?
What do you guys use?
March 16th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
@Monika: I would suggest putting them in Word.
@ Amy: It’s nice to see you back again; I’ve enjoyed reading your posts.
March 16th, 2008 at 4:50 pm
@ Monika - We use PDF and lock them down against copying and printing.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:19 pm
@ Jodee - Hi! Thanks, and I am glad to see you’re still around. Do you still get up before dawn now that you don’t look for leads?
@ Monika - I have both Word and PDF versions on my system. I prefer to send a PDF, but for the folks who won’t do attachments it is easier for me to dump it into the message from the word doc. I don’t have a formal website for displaying my work.
March 16th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
@ Amy: I’ve been sleeping in a bit, yes.
March 17th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
In HR, when we’re hiring, one of the first things we look at is the applicant’s asking rate. Rate is a bargaining tool, from both ends (the applicants and the employers). You could be the best applicant in the world, but if you’re looking for (keep in mind, motor company not freelancing) $80,000/yr and we can’t offer more than $60,000, whats the point in even talking? However, if you’re looking for $65,000, we can talk and negotiate. And if you’re the applicant and looking for $80,000/yr, but I’m only offering $60,000, do you really want to be talking to me? If you’re the best applicant and the client wants you they’ll negotiate with you if they see there’s a possiblilty of good compromise. If you want this job, you’re also looking for a good compromise. Neither party is completely in control, you something and they want something. If the client asks for a rate, I would give it to them. Otherwise, you could be wasting their time and yours.
March 17th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Hi Deb (or anyone else with solid freelance experience),
I have been working in the PR/Communications field for the past three years and I have loads of writing experience. I even blog for fun on the side.
I have been trying to start out and get even a simple gig but haven’t had any luck even though i’ve applied to a ton of postings. I know getting that first break takes time but just wanted to know if I’m missing anything or if there are some good strategies when it comes to getting that first job.
I usually post my cover letter and CV in the body of the email to make it easier for the employer. Is this the wrong way to go about it?
any tips/advice would be appreciated!
Thanks
March 27th, 2008 at 12:16 am
I have a question. I am in the process of applying for a blogging position. I wrote an article specifically for the application as a sample for what I could do for their site. The employer responded that they wanted two more articles more specific to the site. The thing is, the articles require interviews and research. Should I go through all this trouble if I haven’t even gotten the job yet? It sounds like they are trying to get a free article