Writing a Creative Cover Letter
If you are writing a creative cover letter there are a few tips that you should follow. In a creative cover letter, the notion of creativity is essential. There is a big difference between writing a regular cover letter and writing a creative cover letter. For one thing, a creative cover letter is much more informal. It is, in a sense, spunky and fun. Sometimes a creative cover letter refers to a cover letter that caters to more creative fields. In that sense, it could be said that a creative cover letter is used when applying for positions in the entertainment industry or for positions within the modern and fine arts.
The Elements of Writing a Creative Cover Letter
Just like any cover letter, when writing a creative cover letter, you should aim to keep your cover letter to one page only. This is crucial. The aim of the cover letter is to introduce yourself, provide several pointers or highlights, and end it. Nothing more and nothing less. You must be as savvy as possible in order to make a creative cover letter stand out from that of your competition.
Aside from the return address, date, recipient address and the greeting, a creative cover letter begins with a brief introduction. In the introduction you will want to briefly tell your current profession and what compelled you to inquire about the position. For example, if you were applying for a position at a film studio, you might want to consider using the following as an introduction.
Sample Introduction
Dear Mr. Smith: As a savvy administrative professional and someone who has a penchant for films, I am quite excited about the Publicity Assistant position within ABC Film Company.
Notice how the introduction is brief, excitable yet simultaneously direct. This is very important because your introduction should work as an attention grabber. Just like a movie has a memorable tagline, so should you cover letter have a memorable introductory statement.
After the introduction is the real meat and potatoes of the letter, which is the body. The body of a creative cover letter is simple, yet direct, it is informal yet poignant. The body of the cover letter is the quintessential selling piece for your skills. This is where you flaunt all of the skills that you have. However, you will need to do this briefly. Your cover letter should be no more than four paragraphs total.
The Body
You might consider highlighting your best professional points. That is what you do best in the particular field that you work in. Here is an example.
I am definitely the type of person who is a self starter and a go-getter. I like to not only get things done, but get things done the right way. What ever I start, I finish. Whether it is the most basic of office tasks or the exclusive planning of events and projects, I can thrive in any environment. As a self-proclaimed film addict, I have made it a point to play a role in the media society on my campus. I have coordinated film screenings both on campus and at local high schools. Many people on campus describe me as a human moviefone!
As you can see from the above example, the whole purpose of the body of the email is to shed attention on your previous experience within the creative field. You should touch on what you have done and what makes you such a dynamic candidate and the right fit for the position.
The Closing
The last section is the closing of the letter. It is short, sweet and to the point. You should limit this section to a single sentence. After the closing sentence are the closing salutations and your name typed and signed.
Whenever you are writing a creative cover letter you should make sure that you have followed the standard editorial guidelines that govern cover letters.