Cover Letters for Go Getters!

So I may not have had to experience of applying to a lot of different design firms under my belt but as I am coming up on my four year anniversary at Gensler, I think that I've developed a pretty good understanding of the good, the bad and the ugly when it comes to apply for a job. 

I find that people often are very confused and misguided as to what to put in a cover letter when they are applying for a big firm. Below are the top 10 things I think you need to be aware of when you're writing a cover letter. 

1. Don’t worry to much about who to address the letter to. It is not a deal breaker. If you know someone at the firm, and you are giving them your package to hand to someone else, address that individual. If you are applying online to a particular office and you can find an HR contact use that. (And even if you hand your package to someone else you will most likely have to apply online as well. So change your cover letter in that instance to the HR person when you upload.) If you don’t know anyone and can’t figure out the information, then just say “To whom it may concern,” . It’s fine. You have bigger fish to fry in this letter.

2. You should have a different cover letter for each employer. This is not a one size fits all type of deal. While the bones and structure can stay the same, you need to tailor your content for the specific position and firm you are applying for. 

3. If you are applying for jobs in cities where you don’t live, express interest in that city through your cover letter. A big firms, we refer to people who apply to all different jobs from all corners of the world as “fishing.” We want someone who wants to work for US. Seriously. We want to know you are invested in learning more about us. It’s a 50-50 relationship.

4. Be specific about WHY you want to work at a specific firm. If you want to work at Gensler, please don't put because we are listed number 1 in the top 100 of Interior Design magazine. Don't repeat statistics back to us. Think about why you really want to work there. Is it the large amount of opportunity within one organization? Do we offer an area of expertise not at other firms? Our research? Tell us your passion and WHY. If it is simply because we're number one,I can honestly say you probably will not be a good culture fit. Everyone at Gensler works hard pursing their passion to keep that #1 status. Look at things like the firms publications. At Gensler, we have all kinds of things we publish on a regular basis so you cover letter can be current, accurate and specific. You can check out the Gensler examples here.  

5. Be memorable. While writing, "I have a passion for interior design." may the the truth, spice it up a bit. It's told and tired. Try talking about a speciality, a related degree you may have or a unique study abroad experience. 

6. If you have a unique name where someone might not know if you are a boy or a girl, I suggest coming up with a creative way to incorporate it into your cover letter if your concerned about it. You’re resume is not to be confused with the back of a baseball card. We don’t care about your height, weight, or collar size. We also don’t need to see your gender listed. So like I said above, seize that cover letter to tell that story. 

7. Personally branding is very important.  If you a designer, this should go without saying, but consider it a kind reminder. You're cover letter should look like your resume and portfolio. Same typeface, color, logo, format etc.

8. If you don't know what you want your focus to be in don't worry. It's okay if you have not figured out if retail, workplace, hospitality, consulting, healthcare or whatever else floats your boat. But whatever position your applying for you should have a passion in learning more about it. No one expects junior designers to be experts in anything, so relax. :)

9. Take the opportunity highlight important aspects of your resume. If you are passionate about philanthropy, leadership or a related area of study talk about it! Also, mention your most recent award or something else that is time relevant and exciting. It's a great way to transition them into reading your resume. (Just don't repeat everything that's on there! You have more important this to be doing with this real-estate!)

10. Make sure your include a cover letter to begin with. :) Believe it or not, some people don't feel like the time and effort is necessary. But if you seize the opportunity to discuss yourself and what makes your different, I can assure you it's well worth the time!

Good luck! 
~Amberlee

Please note that none of the advice or suggestions here do not represent the ideas and/or beliefs of Gensler, IIDA, AIGA, USGBC or any other professional organization that Amberlee Isabella is associated with. It's simply out of good faith to help others. :)