As some of you know I am in my last year in college and I'm searching for jobs. Ack, I know. Anyhow I have been working on my cover letter but because I am on my spring break, campus buildings are closed; therefore I can't visit the career center to as for suggestions. That is why I'm here.
I am applying for a fashion internship for one of my local magazine, and I could use for advice on how to improve my cover letter.
Here is the cover letter for the position: (Note: I have put blank spaces to any facts that show where I live. Other sugar members knowing what I look like from my recent post is enough. Lol. )
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Dear Ms. __________:
Fashion and journalism are two passions of mine since my early teen years. I have shown immense interests for fashion through my writing. You can even say I live and breath fashion and writing.
I am applying for the summer fashion internship position at ________ Magazine. I found out about this great opportunity through the magazine’s website. I chose _________ Magazine because of its coverage on the city’s culture and lifestyle.
I have four years of journalistic experience in both magazine and newspaper. I am currently a volunteer staff writer for a ________ University newspaper called __________. As a staff writer, I have had the opportunity to show my creative side by pitching in stories of my own such as the places to shop and dine in ________, a campus fashion show and a jazz series program held at the _______ Public Library. My latest project in the newspaper is writing about the street styles of _______ college students.
I am also an intern at a ________-based marketing and communication agency, _________. I work closely with the public relations department. Although what I do has no relations to journalism, I believe that my public relations experience will also prepare me as a fashion intern. In my internship I was responsible for contacting local and national publications and businesses, writing press releases and assisting with the ________ _____ _____ ________re-election campaign like creating a monthly schedule for him.
Additionally I was a freelance reporter for ____ ______ _______. This position gave me the chance to work under a wonderful editor, ___ __________, who has taught me to be a journalist professionally. With my freelance experience, I have gained interviewing and reporting skills that will guide me throughout my journalistic endeavors.
I am confident that my combination of great writing skill, creativity, practical work experience and educational background in journalism has prepared me for making future contributions to __________ Magazine. I will contact you to follow up on the status of my résumé but if you have any comments or questions please contact me at ___ __________.
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What I want is hard-hitting criticism. No "Oh good cover letter Pinkflats." I don't really want any of that. Let me know what you think. If you found incorrect spelling or grammar, tell me. This is a matter of life and death for me. Well okay that's was over the top.
I think my issue is that it's a bit long for a cover letter. No?
Temperley London
"Fashion and journalism are two passions of mine since my early teen years. I have shown immense interests for fashion through my writing. You can even say I live and breath fashion and writing. "
repeating of fashion and writing. maybe try to make the last two sentence flow together. that's what my english teacher told me.
1hahaha good point, febe...that bugs me too so yes i'll change that.
thanks for the suggestion.
2Sounds good to me but since I can't tell you how great it sounds
maybe at the end of
your second paragraph you can say " I think I could be a great asset to your company for the following reasons" and then carry on with experiences and history.
3I would move the first paragraph and incorporate at the end of the second paragraph. Let them know what you are applying for right off the bat. 4th paragraph I might delete the sentence "Although what I do has no relations to journalism", you're previously telling them that you're doing an internship (which is great), it's important not to sound negative even for a second even if the internship is not related to the field you're interested in perusing. I agree with Momi's comment. Hope this helps, good luck!
4"Sounds good to me but since I can't tell you how great it sounds" LOL mominator.
thanks for the suggestion ladies, keep them coming. and i hope i'm not coming off as too abrasive with "don't tell it's good" comment. i just need more than that, that's all.
5Aw Pink, I would help but I am no good at this, sorry
6ohhh sorry pink i cant help in your problem coz im just in 2nd year high school,, ahe
7that's already ladies.
8It seems like your cover letter is too long IMO. I thought cover letters should be short & sweet...an opening paragraph explaining what position you're seeking, a middle paragraph explaining why you picked the company you're applying with, and a closing paragraph expressing a desire to be interviewed/contacted. The cover letter would then be attached to your resume. Since your resume is a summary of your experiences, you don't need to re-state that in your cover letter. If your cover letter is too wordy, you run the risk of it not being read.
9red lady i agree with you. taking your advice on this one. thanks.
10The reason that I wouldn't start with fashion and journalism are my passion is
that sooo many cover letters start with the exact same words that it seems mechanical
and not your passion at all.
I would start with the
'I have four years of journalistic experience in both magazine and newspaper...'
and the things you have done.
From line one they know with whom they are dealing with.
Then the position you are applying for
and then 'fashion and journalism are my passions'.
So you leave them thinking how passionate you are with your craft,
while they already know that you take your art seriously from the beginning.
Good luck*
11pinks, good draft.
overall you need to edit this, be more succinct and to the point.
1. suggest opening up with the line about the position you're applying for - then immediately follow up with your experience. this gives the reader/potential employer context about why you're writing them and then boom! tells them what you're about and why you're relevant to the position.
2. i don't think you need to mention where you found out about the position nor why you like their magazine. save that for the interview if they ask.
3. as far as your experience, you need to envision yourself as what you want to be. for example - keep your sentence about 4 years of experience in magazine and newspaper - wouldn't magazine writing be editorial? be sure to use the appropriate terminology for your industry (i'm not sure but this doesn't sound right to me) Currently I'm a staff writer for ______ newspaper. Then discuss the types of stories you cover. Lose the thing about what you pitch and showing your creative side. Talk about your actual work then explain or tie your experience to the position. Something like I cover the street styles of college students - isn't this is key to the internship? What type of magazine is it? Is its demographic young adults? Then draw that conclusion for the reader. You don't have to explain why you love fashion - show it! This should be upfront and center. You can then add that you've also covered fashion related lifestyle pieces - shopping, dining, local events. Again - are these things that connect to the magazine you're applying to?
4. Now talk about your freelance reporting experience - your interviewing and reporting skills. Were you pitching your own stories? Lose the stuff about what you learned and unless your editor is a known player, delete the compliments. What did you write about? Is it fashion related? Did you interview people? That's what's relevant to the position and why you would be perfect for it.
5. Don't downplay your PR experience. In any profession, your network or sources are central to getting access to people, places, events. Also PR - knowing how to get attention, get a message across, crafting and successfully communicating a message to a specific audience - these are skills that apply to editorial and journalistic writing. Absolutely necessary to any line of work really. So play this up as an enhancement. Rewrite this line so it reads better - In my internship I was responsible for contacting local and national publications and businesses, writing press releases and providing (general support or scheduling ?) assistance to ________ whoever. Be precise about what you did. Again, contacting local and national pubs and businesses, writing press releases - this is extremely similar to what you'd be doing at a fashion magazine entry level position. Own this experience.
6. Bring it home. I would be perfect for this job - summarize. I would lose the passion for fashion and creativity. That sounds generic and pat to me. Isn't that what everybody who applies is going to say? Why you and this magazine? Be specific - not general.
End with something confident and along the lines of taking this to the next step, I would love to discuss the internship with you in person. Reach me at and then your contact numbers. Don't tell them you will follow up - just do that on your own.
This is a good draft. Now let's refine it and polish it so it's bold, strong and to the point.
Good luck!!!
12hey doll.
a few more things.
1. your interest and/or ability in photography. any art direction experience? have you ever taken photos to accompany any of your written pieces? were they published? are they fashion relevant? any street style photos?
2. fashion influences - possibly save this for an interview but trust it will come up. i was thinking that if your tastes run similar to the magazine you're applying to - then let them know that in your letter. am not sure on this mainly because i can't tell if you're psyched to work for this magazine, if the pub's content is something that relates to your own personal passions. but i trust you will make the work experience connections to the position in the next draft and that will give me a better sense of that.
i hope i don't sound too harsh. am extremely tired and my kitty is sick. but please know that i've worked in creative and have been an employer. trust - the letter can open doors for you because once you've read 50 or more boring letters that tell you nothing, one that tells you what you need to know and why - well it's like a hallelujah chorus. your goal is to make a great impression with this letter. keep in mind that most employers are having to review this stuff on top of their own job responsibilities so they're hopeful but tired.
keep on trucking!
13PLEASE READ ME; SCRATCH MY PREVIOUS LONGWINDED COMMENTS.
**updated advice**
your letter actually needs to respond to THEIR needs:
what did the ad for the internship say?
what skills are they looking for?
who / what dept would you be working for ?
Take a look at the internship posts for these various fashion positions. Note their tone, their specification of what they need:
http://fashionista.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-search.cgi?tag=Internships&IncludeB...
Now think about this internship.
Is it possible that your scheduling, organization and communication skills are what they're asking for? Sometimes with entry level positions, that is the case. Will you be asked to write? What is the tone of the ad? Shouldn't your letter reflect some of that? Right now your letter comes across very formal not really like anything I would read in a fashion magazine or a newspaper.
Really think about what they're looking for and how to quickly detail how your experience is pertinent, why you are the best fit for them. Highlight only what's truly relevant to them in your cover letter.
Don't be afraid to reference your resume to show that all of your experience is geared toward a serious career in fashion. Ultimately the real reason you want this internship - the experience you will gain from being within this environment and how that will further you on your professional path.
Best of Luck!
14Pinkflats, as English is not my first language, I think other girls would be more helpful than me. Good luck girl!!!
15that's alright lola.
bizzybee, i just want to give you a big hug. you're giving me more help than i could ask for.
16Oh, I don't know.
for me your letter is perfect, because I'm not a specialist of english grammar.
English is my second language in school, so that's why I can't help you..
But I hope you will get some great suggestions, like bizzybee's ones.
wish you luck!
You can only get smarter, by playing a smarter opponent..
17I'm just stepping back and appreciating all the awesome advice from Bizzy and the others. I couldn't possibly have anything worthwhile to add
except good luck with this latest endeavour
18what I learn from my english subject is when applying for any position go straight to the point dont make it too long because no one will waste there time reading it, also do not repeat the same words try to use other word with the same meaning.
19I'm not sure if anyone mentioned this, but I would also suggest, using less sentences that begin with I. For instance try, My journalistic experience includes.... and Also, as an intern...
Also, I do think it is a bit long, for a cover letter. I was always taught the cover letter should convey what you cannot in your actual resume. I know you are trying to show that you can write, but thats what your clips should do. Honestly, most people will not read the entirety of your letter.
Style Before Comfort!
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