So you’re going to write a cover letter. That’s good. That’s very good. You’re much more likely to get hired if you send one. But it’s got to be a great one. A cover letter is like a book cover: it’s your best opportunity to catch someone’s eye and convince them you’re worth a closer look.
Now let’s make sure you sound like yourself and not like an AI on the brink of self-awareness. The main things to keep in mind as you begin are:
- You’re writing to a person. A living person with thoughts and emotions and an entire life. Not a stock photograph of a person in a suit sitting at a desk.
- Stories are the most persuasive form of communication
- Ur grammer, spellin’ & syntax is Very important when your want to be highered
Many of the jobs you’ll be applying to in the seasonal adventure tourism industry simply require that you send a resume to the HR manager. That means that you should be sending one single polished application email, in which you:
- Attach your resume as a PDF file with the title “Your Name Résumé”
- Include your cover letter as the email body text
- Include the name of the position you’re applying for in the email subject
Greeting
Those of us in the adventure travel jobs circle aren’t really formal folks. We’re bohemians, mountain men, and hippies. We’re adventurous, friendly and open. If the name of the HR manager is listed, it’s usually only their first name, or their first and last. So don’t be a weirdo by referring to them as “Ms. Klondike,” just use their first name like a normal human. Hi, Nikindra.
If you don’t know the name of the person hiring, use the company name with the word “team” after. If the company name is long, like Thistleberry Meadows Retreat and Conference Center, you can shorten it to something a reasonable person would say.
Don’t
- To whom it may concern,
- Hey,
What this says about you: I don’t know what company I’m applying to or who you are, and I’m copying and pasting this cover letter into 5 other applications.
Do
- Hi Nikindra,
- Hi Thistleberry Meadows team,
Grammar
If your grammar or spelling skills are even a teeny tiny bit questionable, send your draft to your grammar nazi friends before pressing send. The appropriate amount of grammar and spelling mistakes in a cover letter is absolute zero.
Phrasing
Don’t
I’m a strong written and verbal communicator
- I’m good at multitasking
- I learn quickly
- I’m a team player
- “Plethora”. “Myriad”.
What this says about you: I’m still in high school and I really hope you like this college essay I copied from the internet.
Do
Be genuine. This is perhaps the most challenging, wishy-washy point on the list, but there you have it. Sound like yourself, pretend you are applying for a job at your friend’s company instead of writing to a stranger. You can even write a friend’s name into your draft if it helps you get in the right headspace.
Length
Don’t
- Way too short/way too long
What this says about you: I didn’t know I had to write a cover letter/I don’t actually know what a cover letter is.
Do
- A few quick paragraphs. 3, perhaps.
Content
The ultimate point here is this:
Explain why you’d be good at the job/good for the company. What can you do for them? How can you help them be the best?
Don’t
- Rehash your resume
What this says about you: I don’t think you’ll be able to figure out how to open the PDF I attached so I’m spelling it out for you. Also I still don’t know what a cover letter is.
Do
- Tell a story (but only one)
- Be very specific, even using metrics if they are relevant
- Use humor, if it feels right
Mention community, if it makes sense. Most of these jobs are remote, which means you’ll be living in employee housing and working with the same people for months on end.
Parting Salutations
Don’t
- Salutations,
- Please feel free to contact me
Do
- Cheers,
- I look forward to chatting with you,
Sample Cover Letter
A Bad Cover Letter 😠
To whom it may concern,
Hi, my name is Emily Anderson and I’m writing to apply for the position of front desk staff at your retreat center. I found your job on WanderJobs and I think I’d be great for this position because I’m an excellent written and oral communicator. I work well in a team, am task-oriented, learn quickly, and am good at multi-tasking.
I have myriad experiences in customer service. At my last job at Edelweiss on the Cliff in 2020, I worked check-in, housekeeping, and general staff and I have the relevant experience necessary to excel within your company. At Edelweiss I was known for making guests laugh and creating a positive check-out experience. As you can see on my resume, I have also worked as a housekeeper at Fog Harbor Inn in 2019 and as a secretarial assistant at Tooth Fairy Dental in 2018, so I will be able to take what I learned at those jobs and apply them to a position with your retreat center.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Awaiting a positive response,
Emily Anderson
A Good Cover Letter ☺️
Hi Thistleberry Meadows team,
As my seasonal contract as Guest Service Agent at Edelweiss on the Cliff comes to a close, I’m so excited to finally have the opportunity to apply for the front desk position at Thistleberry. I’ve been eyeing the website and social accounts for a few months now, and I want to help contribute to the beautiful and welcoming environment you’ve created for the guests and employees.
I love meeting people and chatting with guests, and am a confident speaker on the phone. I excel in communications roles. In fact, at Edelweiss:
- I was voted by my peers as “most likely to make a guest laugh”
- I implemented a check-out rewards system that got 10% more guests to re-book for the next season
I know that you are not just looking for an employee, but also a community member. I’m not applying for this job just because I want to work at Thistleberry, but also because I want to live there, to be a positive member of the community both on and off the clock. I know that it is a special place and I hope I get the opportunity to be a part of the magic.
I look forward to chatting with you!
Emily Anderson
Always send a cover letter.
So from here on out, include a cover letter with every application you send. Be excited and amicable and, if you need help coming across that way, ask a friend. You’ve got this!
Good luck, wanderer.
