Cover letters - what's the point?

Are cover letters a waste of time, or an underrated marketing tool?

Ah yes, the dreaded cover letter. I can hear the moans and groans on the other end of this email. What’s the point of such an outdated communication mechanism? Do I really need to do this? What should I say? Is anyone even going to look at it?

All fair questions.

There is no consensus on their value for a job application, so like with most job search advice, it depends on who you ask. Just make sure they have a rationale!

If you ask me, they don’t have to be pointless. A well-written, thoughtful cover letter is a marketing document that can help boost your application and positioning alongside your resume, portfolio, and LinkedIn profile.

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Worth your time 🧠

• For the learners: Scott Kubie’s Product Writing Crash Course for non-content folks who want to be more comfortable with writing, working with words, and working with writers in their existing role as a designer, PM, engineer, etc.

• For those with qualms about AI: I Love Generative AI and Hate the Companies Building It, by Christina Wodtke, with a ranking of most-to-least evil of the leading AI tech companies.

• For the workshop facilitators: 50+ pages of fun (not boring) icebreakers, crowdsourced by Rob Walker

• For the job seekers: Never Search Alone’s Job Search Councils are free mutual support groups made up of peer job seekers who agree to search together.

• For the activists: Some Actions That Are Not Protesting or Voting 

Thanks for being here!

P.S. Want to explore working with me on your UX job search, career goals, and workplace challenges? Check out my offerings, or reply to this email and let me know what I can help with! ✨

‼️ SHOCKING Discovery made on Google Earth 🌍