Creative Cover Letters

Class Location: The Internet.

Description: This course goes over the use of creativity in cover letters.

Objective: Find out whether it's a good idea to use creativity in your cover letter.

Use caution when getting creative in a cover letter. The traditional format for a cover letter conveys professionalism, as well as a confidence that your skills and experience speak for themselves. If you’re qualified for a job, you don’t want the format of your cover letter to distract the hiring manager from your qualifications. However, there are times when using a little creativity in your cover letter can work to your advantage.

A creative cover letter can help you if you’re over-qualified or under-qualified for a job or if the traditional cover letter format isn’t getting you the desired results. The creative cover letter doesn’t have to follow a specific format. It’s usually shorter than the traditional letter, focusing on one main point or idea. It can also use humor. In either case, the creative cover letter should leave the reader with the impression that there’s more to you than meets the eye. It uses the creative format and novelty as a persuasive tool.

In general, traditional cover letters work better for larger companies. The creative cover letter might have more appeal for a smaller organization looking for someone with a certain type of personality or someone the company can mold to fit its needs. A creative cover letter can also work well if you’re applying for a job in an artistic industry or one that rewards creativity. If you’re posting a resume on a job website, the traditional cover letter is probably the way to go, since it is useful for a broader range of jobs.

Just be sure that the position you’re seeking requires the type of artistic freedom expressed in a creative cover letter. Also, please don’t give up on the traditional cover letter unless you are absolutely certain that you fit the rare category of being over- or under-qualified.