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For what it’s worth, just because the frontline person doesn’t read your CV, someone else still might. If you’re a solid applicant who interviews almost well e

For what it’s worth, just because the frontline person doesn’t read your CV, someone else still might. If you’re a solid applicant who interviews almost well enough & the company is fishing for an excuse to give you a shot, a solid cover letter demonstrating interest can mean the difference between getting hired and not. A cover letter doesn’t have to be epic. It can be short and to the point, which bucks the trend of “I didn’t have time to write you a short cover letter, so I wrote you a long one.” Something like... “Hi Company X! I was scooping out your web page and found a blog article on how y’all invest a bunch of time in your security audits. I’ve been reading up a lot in security myself lately, and I’m quite interested in a company that takes that seriously. My personal approach to crafting software tends towards secure by design. I’d love to work in a place that philosophy would be appreciated :) Cheers, PopeDotNinja” Try this... list three to five things you are good at and like. Stalk a company a bit to find something mildly related in their social media, website, or blog. Connect thing you found to thing you like. It take a little work, but not that much work.

watwut 6y ago
I think that if this cover letter changes anything on the hiring process, the hiring process is odd.
- PopeDotNinja 6y ago
  The point I'm attempting to communicate is that a little effort can go a long way to show your interest in a position. Many people write long & unpersonalized copy/pasta that says nothing about the job to which they are applying.
paulcole 6y ago
The only feedback I’d give is: > My personal approach to crafting software tends towards secure by design Whatever you put in your cover letter, try imagining another candidate saying the opposite in their cover letter: > My personal approach to crafting software tends towards insecure by design Nobody would say this right? So your original statement adds nothing. You need to get more specific and direct. Same goes for “reading up a lot in security.” What is 1 thing you were reading and why should whoever’s reading this email care? Other than that not a bad start. You’re on the right track to keep it short and (hopefully) leave them wanting to learn more. Also it’s scoping not scooping.
- PopeDotNinja 6y ago
  > Also it’s scoping not scooping. Don't forget to proofread your cover letter!
  - ghaff 6y ago
    Which is actually an argument for keeping your resume and cover letter fairly standardized (and get a second pair of eyes on the standard). The more you change for each application, the more likely errors are to creep in.

watwut 6y ago

I think that if this cover letter changes anything on the hiring process, the hiring process is odd.

PopeDotNinja 6y ago
The point I'm attempting to communicate is that a little effort can go a long way to show your interest in a position. Many people write long & unpersonalized copy/pasta that says nothing about the job to which they are applying.

paulcole 6y ago

The only feedback I’d give is: > My personal approach to crafting software tends towards secure by design Whatever you put in your cover letter, try imagining another candidate saying the opposite in their cover letter: > My personal approach to crafting software tends towards insecure by design Nobody would say this right? So your original statement adds nothing. You need to get more specific and direct. Same goes for “reading up a lot in security.” What is 1 thing you were reading and why should whoever’s reading this email care? Other than that not a bad start. You’re on the right track to keep it short and (hopefully) leave them wanting to learn more. Also it’s scoping not scooping.

PopeDotNinja 6y ago
> Also it’s scoping not scooping. Don't forget to proofread your cover letter!
- ghaff 6y ago
  Which is actually an argument for keeping your resume and cover letter fairly standardized (and get a second pair of eyes on the standard). The more you change for each application, the more likely errors are to creep in.