The 'Dream Job' Cover Letter

[Big A]

Any chance I could PM the letter you when I get it finished up just for a general review so I could get your impressions/thoughts?

If you say you spoke to someone that would likely be your supervisor for an hour and a few times since, than maybe you should ask him for help. Why not call him and tell him how bad you want this internship and see if he will proofread or give you some pointer on your application and cover letter, or even some idea of what type of info they are looking for. Every company is different so some may want a letter saying all the generic right things, I'm a people person, I'm eager to learn, I'm hard worker, etc, while other companies want to know what type of person you are as in personality, ie shy or extroverted, what you do in spare time, etc.

[MadHatter]

If you say you spoke to someone that would likely be your supervisor for an hour and a few times since, than maybe you should ask him for help. Why not call him and tell him how bad you want this internship and see if he will proofread or give you some pointer on your application and cover letter, or even some idea of what type of info they are looking for. Every company is different so some may want a letter saying all the generic right things, I'm a people person, I'm eager to learn, I'm hard worker, etc, while other companies want to know what type of person you are as in personality, ie shy or extroverted, what you do in spare time, etc.

 

VERY, VERY BAD suggestion.

 

The person he spoke to is not a friend nor long time acquaintance.  You don't know how many other candidates that he/she has talked to in the same fashion.  Sending the hiring decision maker (or one of them) a draft letter and asking for assistance could backfire BIG TIME.

 

He should take what he gleened as important aspects of the job from their previous conversations.  But in now way should he send a draft letter and ask him to provide comments and proofreading.

[Big A]

He made it sound like they made a connection beyond just the normal business talk. When you speak to someone for an hour and multiple times after, that's not the usual seeking business info call.

How can their be harm or backfiring in the guy calling him and expressing his deep interest in the position and asking a little guidance on what specific type of info they are looking for. So you're saying if you had an applicant call you and tell you they wanted the position really bad and want to know some guidance on what specific info you may be looking for on the cover letter that YOU are asking them to submit, you would be like " oh this guy called and asked for info, no way I hire him!?"

-I need a cover letter from you applicant with personal details

- can you tell me what type of specific info you may be looking for

-OMG, don't bother, fug that applicant! How dare he ask details about info I'm requesting!

As far as asking him to proofread a draft, obviously that would be based on the connection and conversation. I only mentioned that as one of the options if he made a personal enough connection and think the guy would be willing to do it, not just generically do it and assume the guy is fine with it.

The point was use your contact you made in the company, how much depends on connection, If not a real personal connection, then just ask for a little specific on what they may be looking for, if they made a personal connection and guy may be looking to help him get the position, then maybe ask him to proofread a draft.

[Niner National]

If you say you spoke to someone that would likely be your supervisor for an hour and a few times since, than maybe you should ask him for help. Why not call him and tell him how bad you want this internship and see if he will proofread or give you some pointer on your application and cover letter, or even some idea of what type of info they are looking for. Every company is different so some may want a letter saying all the generic right things, I'm a people person, I'm eager to learn, I'm hard worker, etc, while other companies want to know what type of person you are as in personality, ie shy or extroverted, what you do in spare time, etc.

Gonna disagree with you here.

 

If you call me or come into my office to talk about a position you applied for without me contacting you, your resume gets put into the express lane for the garbage can regardless of how good your experience is.

 

Most people have other jobs to do. They don't want to talk to some ass bag that thinks he's more important than the other applicants or your other duties.

 

If someone wants to reach out to me on LinkedIn, that's cool. I might respond to that since I can respond to it on my time or ignore it.

 

Some companies may appreciate it, but I can tell you that it is really, really annoying when you several phone calls a day from people asking about the status of their application.

[MadHatter]

He made it sound like they made a connection beyond just the normal business talk. When you speak to someone for an hour and multiple times after, that's not the usual seeking business info call.

How can their be harm or backfiring in the guy calling him and expressing his deep interest in the position and asking a little guidance on what specific type of info they are looking for. So you're saying if you had an applicant call you and tell you they wanted the position really bad and want to know some guidance on what specific info you may be looking for on the cover letter that YOU are asking them to submit, you would be like " oh this guy called and asked for info, no way I hire him!?"

-I need a cover letter from you applicant with personal details

- can you tell me what type of specific info you may be looking for

-OMG, don't bother, fug that applicant! How dare he ask details about info I'm requesting!

As far as asking him to proofread a draft, obviously that would be based on the connection and conversation. I only mentioned that as one of the options if he made a personal enough connection and think the guy would be willing to do it, not just generically do it and assume the guy is fine with it.

The point was use your contact you made in the company, how much depends on connection, If not a real personal connection, then just ask for a little specific on what they may be looking for, if they made a personal connection and guy may be looking to help him get the position, then maybe ask him to proofread a draft.

 

Pay close attention.....the guy he talked to is NOT a friend nor an acquaintance.  He is someone that spoke to him about the position.  He is the likely boss for the position and one of the decision makers in the hiring process. 

 

He has already spoken to the guy about the company and the position.  If you had read the OP closely, you would have notice that he asked if he should mail a copy of his draft coverletter to the guy and ask for his input.

 

In NO WAY should you send him a draft of a cover letter and ask for his suggestions or input...plain and simple.

 

I would not expect you to understand this.....as you probably have never gotten any job without daddy call in a favor for you.

[Big A]

Gonna disagree with you here.

If you call me or come into my office to talk about a position you applied for without me contacting you, your resume gets put into the express lane for the garbage can regardless of how good your experience is.

Most people have other jobs to do. They don't want to talk to some ass bag that thinks he's more important than the other applicants or your other duties.

If someone wants to reach out to me on LinkedIn, that's cool. I might respond to that since I can respond to it on my time or ignore it.

Some companies may appreciate it, but I can tell you that it is really, really annoying when you several phone calls a day from people asking about the status of their application.

First off, the guy said he ALREADY has had multiple conversations with the guy that is not necessarily going to be the one making the hiring decision. Secondly, all I'm suggesting is that if he is unsure of what to put in his cover letter, the purpose of this thread, that he guy at the company who he spoke to initially for over and hour and multiple time after would probably be the best person to ask as opposed to random people on a message board giving generic adivce.

In short, it's asking for a clarification from a prospective employer about specifics on INFO THEY ARE REQUESTING. don't see how asking someone for clarification or ideas on what they are specifically asking for is the same as someone calling continually to check the staus of an already submitted application,

Also, something that may be lost in the whole point is that this is an INTERNSHIP, not a paid job, the majority of people taking internships are younger guys with little or no experience, so it has to almost be expected by company that some may ask for help submitting an application that covers all the specifics they may be looking for,. If the guy already had a conversation of over an hour and multiple since, I'm sure he wouldn't take issue with a quick 5 minute call asking for clarification of what specifics they are looking for.

Since I wasn't present for the conversations, I can only guess that there was a bit of a personal connection made based on number and lengths of conversation, which is why I suggested at the far end of possibilities to even see if the guy would proofread a draft, but that would be if a personal connection was made to the point it seems like the guy is wanting to help him get the position, otherwise it's just asking for a simple clarification of details they would be looking for. Again, this is for an INTERNSHIP where the average applicant is most likely not very experienced with the process, such as the OP and his advice seeking!

[MadHatter]

First off, the guy said he ALREADY has had multiple conversations with the guy that is not necessarily going to be the one making the hiring decision. Secondly, All I'm suggesting is that if he is unsure of what to put in his cover letter the purpose of this thread, than the guy at the company who he spoke to initially for over and hour and multiple time after would probably be the best person to ask as opposed to random people on a message board giving generic adivce.

In short, it's asking for a clarification from a prospective employer about specifics on INFO THEY ARE REQUESTING. don't see how asking someone for clarification or ideas on what they are specifically asking for is the same as someone calling continually to check the staus of an already submitted application,

Also, something that may be lost in the whole point is that this is an INTERNSHIP, not a paid job, the majority of people taking internships are younger guys with little or no experience, so it has to almost be expected by company that some may ask for help submitting an application that covers all the specifics they may be looking for,. If the guy already had a conversation of over an hour and multiple since, I'm sure he wouldn't take issue with a quick 5 minute call asking for clarification of what specifics they are looking for.

Since I wasn't present for the conversations, I can only guess that there was a bit of a personal connection made based on number and lengths of conversation, which is why I suggested at the far end of possibilities to even see if the guy would proofread a draft, but that would be if a personal connection was made to the point it seems like the guy is wanting to help him get the position, otherwise it's just asking for a simple clarification of details they would be looking for. Again, this is for an INTERNSHIP where the average applicant is most likely not very experienced with the process, such as the OP and his advice seeking!

 

The OP was asking if he should mail a draft copy of his cover letter to the guy for his edits and inputs....which is a BAD idea.

 

Talking to the guy about the company and the position is fine.

[OnlyPantherFaninMaine]

It is a full-time paid internship. I just finished almost 6 years of school in a row and have had plenty of other internships during summers and even during a semester before but none of them were full-time like this one. I've written cover letters before but this job is directly related to my field and career of choice and thus it is the most important.

[Niner National]

Also, something that may be lost in the whole point is that this is an INTERNSHIP, not a paid job

It's a full time paid internship.

 

Most internships are paid unless you're stupid enough to go to law school or want to go into politics.

 

I worked several internships and I never worked for free. My girlfriend made $20,000 in 3 month stretch over the summer working an internship when she was in college. 

 

lol @ anyone that works for free.

[Niner National]

It is a full-time paid internship. I just finished almost 6 years of school in a row and have had plenty of other internships during summers and even during a semester before but none of them were full-time like this one. I've written cover letters before but this job is directly related to my field and career of choice and thus it is the most important.

In short, it never hurts. They may not always help, but they never hurt.

 

Write it and good luck. Let us know if you get the job.

[Big A]

The OP was asking if he should mail a draft copy of his cover letter to the guy for his edits and inputs....which is a BAD idea.

Talking to the guy about the company and the position is fine.

I took that as he was asking if he should copy his competed application to the contact he already made in company, not really asking for any advice with it. I was just suggesting depending if he thinks he made a personal enough connection with the guy, maybe even ask him to look over his application before submitting, I mean if he ask the worst the guy can say is a polite NO. Also, I know it can come across as inexperience and possibly make a bad impression if it were for a regular position, but the fact this is for an internship, I would believe some asking for assistance would be more of the norm,

[Big A]

It's a full time paid internship.

Most internships are paid unless you're stupid enough to go to law school or want to go into politics.

I worked several internships and I never worked for free. My girlfriend made $20,000 in 3 month stretch over the summer working an internship when she was in college.

lol @ anyone that works for free.

I said internship vs paid job. I wasn't implying it wasn't paid, I was just pointing out the obvious experience differences between the applicant for an internship vs a normal salary position and how asking for assistance would be less taboo for the internship applicant

[Peppers90 NC]

at most i would let him know when you submit your application and you can send him a hard copy as well.  i dont think that is too much but enough to let him tell the people on the lookout to give yours more consideration.  good luck.

[MadHatter]

I took that as he was asking if he should copy his competed application to the contact he already made in company, not really asking for any advice with it. I was just suggesting depending if he thinks he made a personal enough connection with the guy, maybe even ask him to look over his application before submitting, I mean if he ask the worst the guy can say is a polite NO. Also, I know it can come across as inexperience and possibly make a bad impression if it were for a regular position, but the fact this is for an internship, I would believe some asking for assistance would be more of the norm,

 

I read it that he was asking to send a draft to the guy for his input.

 

Based on your understanding, I would go with the following:

 

- Do NOT just mail a copy to him.  Call him and tell him how excited you are about the opportunity and the company.  Tell him that you understand that you understand an opportunity like this will be highly competetive and in demand.  As such, you would like to know if it would be OK to send him a copy of your application to ensure that it did not get buried in the pile of potential applicants.

 

If the guy is a nice guy, he will say sure.  Now, whether he actually does anything with it or not is up in the air....and I doubt he does anything with it.  But, it probably would not hurt.