Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#71

Post by muzani » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 2:00 AM UTC

I find them tedious but I really enjoy it. I know some employers also take the effort to read every word, especially when the recruiter is also the founder. But companies like Google and Facebook don't even let you send them. Maybe there's some correlation that the smaller the company, the more important the cover letter is?

The purpose of a cover letter is to just bring up things that aren't in your resume. If you have nothing to say, make it as brief as possible, maybe even one paragraph. Most employers will open the resume anyway.

Don't try to fake passion, that just makes you sound like a teenager desperate to get laid.

My format:

First paragraph, say what you are applying for if it's not in the title header.

Second paragraph, tell them how you meet the requirements. This is where you make it clear you have read the job ad and aren't resume blasting.

Third, explain other unique skillsets you bring. I like to emphasize my entrepreneurship and product development experience or that I can do full stack, if applicable.

Fourth, why you want to work for this company specifically.

Each paragraph would ideally be 1-2 sentences. The shorter the better. If not applicable, don't write it.

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#72

Post by rbetts » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 2:16 AM UTC

So few resumes indicate why the candidate applied. When triaging resumes, I really appreciate a paragraph explaining motivation. I rarely read past paragraph one of a long cover letter unless the resume itself is compelling. Then I’ll read it in full.

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#73

Post by [deleted] » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 2:20 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#74

Post by fpisfun » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 3:06 AM UTC

qznc wrote: post #16

I repeat parts of their job description and explain why I fulfill it. Example: Job ad says "we look for a proactive and self-reliant person" then my cover letter says "to successfully finish my PhD, being proactive and self-reliant was important". This technique works even better for the technical parts. I'm not sure if it was worth the effort. In the german job market, employers are quite desperate these days. A fri…

Sounds a good idea for an app lol, you fill out a little section for each skill, feed it job listings and it spits back out your sentences that match the buzzwords of the day that HR drones are looking for. It could even sort to present the sentences in order matching their appearance in the job ad and maybe intermix some non buzzword specific sentences to make it seem more real.

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#75

Post by jdlyga » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 3:29 AM UTC

Imagine you were a character in a video game. Why would I want to pick you? What are your strengths, special moves, etc and how can that help with my playstyle? That's all I want to know as someone interviewing people. You wouldn't focus on Ryu as graduating from Kyoto Martial Arts academy, placing first in the uppercut tournament. Tell me what Ryu is good at. Tell me that you have a good hadoken that's better than other people's projectiles, and I can use you in sitautions where projectiles are useful.

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#76

Post by vfulco » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 4:09 AM UTC

From the perspective of a professional resume editor/writer...make sure to have a boilerplate version and then match each CL against the job description. The "art" of the process is to provide just enough enticement, the appetizer in other words, to make the reader want to move onto the resume. Also try to be more creative in your writing so that you don't say the exact words from the job description unless it is a highly specialized role. You want to stand out from the crowd of applicants.

Try at all possible to find out if a cover letter is even necessary. Many employers don't ask for them, don't want them, ignore or throw them away. I have know individuals who have spent hours on theirs unnecessarily.

Regrettable the "rules" are all over the place because different employers require different things. Try to do some legwork before hand by inquiring with HR or referring employees.

HTH,

Vince Fulco, CFA, CAIA vfulco[@]weisisheng.cn

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#77

Post by mindhash » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 4:19 AM UTC

I use cover letters to share a short brief on myself, why I am interested and ask questions about position. Asking questions is important. Think of this process as both sides negotiating what works for each, instead of one sided application for a position.

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#78

Post by Spooky23 » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 4:39 AM UTC

It’s an excuse to get more information about you in front of an employer. At worst it’s a minor waste of time, at best it provides a hook for someone.

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#79

Post by Idontknowmyuser » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 5:25 AM UTC

rbetts wrote: post #72

So few resumes indicate why the candidate applied. When triaging resumes, I really appreciate a paragraph explaining motivation. I rarely read past paragraph one of a long cover letter unless the resume itself is compelling. Then I’ll read it in full.

They apply because they need a new job.

Re: Ask HN: Writing cover letters for tech jobs

#80

Post by rufius » Sat, Dec 16, 2017, 5:36 AM UTC

Cover letters are largely a waste of time UNLESS you come for a notably unusual background. For example - you have a PhD in Sociology and looking to get a job as a software engineer.

General rules for resumes - no more than 10 years experience listed - no more than 1 page listing job experience - if you have another page, it should only include things like talks given and/or published papers