The Guide to Writing Cover Letters: Alcoholic Beverage Edition

Zach Groth is a senior at Ball State University. On the post-graduation job search himself, Zach has job experience in corporate, government, nonprofit and student-run organizations. You can tweet him any questions, concerns or blog ideas on Twitter at @zgroth.

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Graduating is inevitable. Landing that dream job is not. You’re going to have to work for it and there are so many different ways you can accomplish that goal. As college students we know a lot about a lot of different topics. One of those topics is not the job search. How can we be expected to be experts at something we have never done before? We can’t. So let’s break it down into terms that college students will understand: alcohol.

The first step to landing your dream job is sculpting the perfect cover letter. Are you spending a little bit too much time out and not enough on crafting the perfect cover letter? Well, use that knowledge you have gained at the bars to transfer your skills into landing the perfect job.  Not all cover letters are going to be the exact same even though your goal may be. You wouldn’t send the same cover letter to every company, would you?  Your tone in the cover letter is your first impression, so how can you mix things up? Take a sip from some of your favorite drinks.

Beer: Beer is the most popular alcoholic beverage in the world, so naturally this cover letter would have to be the most popular cover letter. Keep it informative and casual—there is no need to get too crazy off of beer. But how can you differentiate yourself in the beer world? Add a little hop to it! Provide clear examples of your experience or share a specific project that you have worked on that ties into what the company does.

Wine: You’re a classy individual, so a wine-inspired cover letter might do the trick. Proper grammar and eloquent wording will craft strong and memorable sentences that are sure to leave a sweet taste in the employer’s mouth. Just as you know your favorite wine, know the company and share that with them.

Tequila shot: If you are determined to land this position, make your cover letter straight and to the point. Use beefy words to highlight your skills that make you the best candidate for the job. To knock out that shot, make sure you are clear about following up with them on a specific date. They just might be looking for someone with a little spunk like you!

Long Island Iced Tea: The (sometimes) dangerous, yet delicious Long Island can turn into one of the best cover letters. A mixture of a little bit of everything can be crafted into something delicious that pulls the employer in time and time again. Grab your reader’s attention by using zesty and expressive words; don’t be afraid to share a positive experience that you have had with the company. By mixing together emotions, logic and your personal skills, no employer will put this concoction down.

Rum and Coke: Just like rum and coke, this cover letter letter appeals to all audiences. Write about things you have accomplished that could impress any reader. This drink is a classic, and you can’t go wrong with that. Make sure your cover letter goes over as easily as this drink goes down, leaving them with a bubbly and golden impression.

Gin and Tonic: Sometime you need a little (or lot) of G&T in your life. Just like G&T you’re simple. Your cover letter should simple; you’re an open book and people tend to enjoy your company. Be that person who writes their cover letter then awes employers with you resume. Be the lime! Once the bartender reaches for the fruit tray, grabs that lime and squeezes the juice into your simple drink it is transformed. You know have an inexplicably tasteful beverage that is hard to decline. Be hard to decline.

Next time you’re at the bar and you are sipping on your favorite drink, think about what it says about your personality. Blend those elements into your perfect cover letter. You’ll never go wrong. Good luck.