Revisiting the Art of Cover Letter Writing: A Critical Perspective

As a parent, the question of whether colleges adequately prepare students for essential life skills has been on my mind lately. This was particularly highlighted during a recent incident involving my husband and his daughter, who is navigating the competitive job market at 45.

The other day, I was asked to review her cover letter for a job application. To my surprise, what I encountered was a piece that lacked the clarity and professionalism expected at that stage in one’s career. This distressing experience made me ponder how someone with such a successful background could create a letter that appeared, at first glance, almost illiterate.

My husband’s daughter is actively seeking new opportunities to leverage her impressive career, yet her cover letter did not effectively communicate her qualifications or potential as a candidate. Upon reviewing her submission, I felt compelled to start fresh, drafting a new letter that shifted the focus. Instead of centering on her subjective thoughts and feelings, I emphasized her relevant experience and expertise, clearly articulating why she would be an exceptional fit for the job.

This experience led me to reflect on the current state of education. How is it that institutions of higher learning are not placing greater emphasis on the importance of writing and effective communication? I apologize if I come across as pretentious, but as someone who has benefitted from a Catholic education, I can attest to the rigorous focus on writing skills instilled by my teachers, particularly the nuns. They stressed the importance of clear sentence structure, composition, and, most importantly, getting to the point effectively.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Is there a gap in the teaching of essential skills like cover letter writing in today’s educational institutions? I find myself truly perplexed by this discrepancy and would appreciate any insights or experiences you might have on the topic.