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How do you write cover letters for entry level basic jobs? (hexbear.net)

submitted 9 months ago by lilypad@hexbear.net to c/askchapo@hexbear.net

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How do you write a cover letter for a job doing very basic tasks? I feel like Im either shmoozing and being way over the top, or being realistic in a way that will keep me from getting the job. For reference the job is to package coffee and make other products. I guess i just dont understand. I need a job, they need a worker. This work can be done by most people, its not some field thats relevant, its putting beans in bags and brewing coffee, how can I say "i really want to work here" when in reality any job will do, this is just the one that vibes best with my social capacity and is offered by the least offensive corporation. Like what am I gonna say, "I love brewing coffee, i spend every day constantly brewing coffee and moving my coffee beans from one bag to another, because I just like handling coffee"?

I have also been studying or doing self employed things like tutoring for the past 10 years and my cover letter skills were shit before this and have only gotten worse.

Cant I just write "job. Me need job. You have job. Me need money for survive. You need worker for labour. You give money, i work. I work good." and be done with it?

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[–] PointAndClique@hexbear.net 6 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago) (1 children)

I'm not sure? I've never had to write a cover letter for a 'basic' job. I would probably follow the similar format:

Dear hiring manager [name if known],

Please find my application for the [position] and accompanying CV. I'm excited to apply for this role after {seeing it advertised on [location]/being referred this position via [person]}. I believe that my skills, professional experience and work attitude equip me perfectly to excel in this position.

Para 1: Relevant work experience, duties, responsibility e.g. "I have x many years in directly applicable areas from my time working at [previous company]. I see that [current company] appears to run in a similar way, so I can hit the ground running and bring immediate value and energy to the team." {Repeat a few of these sentences calling out the skills you already possess that will make you an easy hire}.

Para 2: Talking about yourself and selling your 'passion'. e.g. "This role really attracts me as I am a self-described [industry] fan/nut/enthusiast. If successful, this role will help me deepen my industry knowledge and round out my aptitudes. The professoonal growth opportunities presented by [company] are compelling including its business connections, enthusiastic staff and positive reputation."

Closing para: leave on a good note that you're keen to be chosen but not presupposing it'll be you, e.g. "I can't wait to hear from you about your success in finding the perfect candidate."

Basically first para has to sell that you're an easy hire and you won't take time to train. Second para is selling that you're a good 'cultural fit', and where you kinda suck up to the company's ego. Don't go over a page, if anything keeping it to under 300 words looks 'neat' and clean. Two major points in each paragraph bringing you to 75 words, 100 words, 100 words, 25 words in each respectively.

Also don't forget to put your contact details in the header (phone, email, name, suburb if you like). You can also chuck those in the last para too e.g. I look forward to hearing from you, I can be reached on 0000 0000 or name@email.com

[–] lilypad@hexbear.net 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

This is really good but also some things I struggle with in there. I know i have to do some kind of corpo-speak esq shit, but like

Para 2: Talking about yourself and selling your 'passion'. e.g. "This role really attracts me as I am a self-described [industry] fan/nut/enthusiast. If successful, this role will help me deepen my industry knowledge and round out my aptitudes. The professoonal growth opportunities presented by [company] are compelling including its business connections, enthusiastic staff and positive reputation."

This is so hard for me, like I know its not lying but selling myself is something im really bad at lol.

But genuinely thank you this is a helpful form to follow stalin-heart

[–] PointAndClique@hexbear.net 3 points 9 months ago

Yeah, it's a painful process trying to shill yourself. I find having that framing/template to run off takes a lot of the pressure off. I'll use previous cover letters as a basis that I'll mark up for the next role, and you end up shopping a lot of the same stock phrases over and over.

You can use GPTs now, but without prompting it on your existing CV it'll just come out as general platitudes. Best of luck with your applications!