These Cover Letter Improvements Help Candidates Actually Get the Job
If you’ve been looking for work lately, you’ve probably felt a mix of hope and fear every time you see a new posting. Between AI screening systems, hundreds (or thousands) of applicants per role, and the emotional rollercoaster of not getting any response after hitting “send,” you can feel as though the odds are stacked against you. Add trying to freelance into the mix, and suddenly, it feels like everyone has a secret playbook that you’re somehow missing.
Lately, I’ve been looking for smarter, more humane ways to deal with noise. (Mainly because I was tired of applying to 200 roles en masse and rewriting the same cover letter until it was forgotten.) In my search, I came across visual cover letters. Unlike last year’s “mini resume” TikTok trend that users hoped would make people in their field notice them first, the visual cover letter is a strategic and targeted approach used. after You’ve applied for a specific role or opportunity.
According to Victoria Stacey, a Community and Culture Leader specializing in the creative industries, alternative methods of getting attention, such as visual cover letters, are becoming increasingly popular. But what exactly is a visual cover letter, and should you really consider adding this step to your already mile-long job search to-do list? Let’s discuss it.
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Victoria Stacey
Victoria Stacey is a creative leader with deep expertise in people and culture, talent development and team building in the creative industries. Her background includes program leadership in the arts, content strategy at a creative agency, and human resources and culture leadership at We The Collective, where she oversaw recruiting and onboarding in various roles for a major entertainment brand. Victoria’s work centers on helping creatives find roles where they can thrive and build high-performing teams that do their best work.
What is a visual cover letter?
In a world where short-form video has completely changed our attention spans, it’s no surprise that visual storytelling is starting to creep into even the most traditional spaces, including recruiting. Most of us would rather watch a minute-long video than read a generic cover letter, and hiring managers… most of us too.
With this in mind, visual cover letters are most often sent as creatively designed documents or short videos that introduce applicants and highlight their skills, qualifications, and enthusiasm; however, it can be sent via any creative medium. For example, your visual cover letter could be a custom slide deck showing your background and what you bring to the table, or a short video using a tool like Loom to introduce yourself to a brand manager. The goal is to add context, personality, and show that you’re willing to do your best—three things rarely found in PDFs.
Are visual cover letters replacing traditional cover letters?
This is a unique way to get yourself noticed, and “directly signals initiative and strong communication skills,” according to Stacey. However, it does not replace traditional application materials, including a polished, written cover letter. Basically, you must submit all the required materials Then send your visual cover letter straight after. Think of it like sending a LinkedIn direct message to the hiring manager after you apply. It’s a nice little follow-up that you hope someone sees, but it’s not a shortcut to landing an interview. So, yes, sending a visual cover letter is an extra step, but according to Stacey, it’s one that “really makes the candidate more memorable.” You can think of it as your first unofficial duty in your new job: showing initiative, creativity, and effort before anyone even asks. In such a crowded job market, that kind of energy is hard to ignore.
When sending a cover letter visuals make sense
A visual cover letter can be a really unique way to stand out, but before you hit the record or start designing anything, it’s worth considering whether it makes sense for you. Some industries are naturally more open to creative implementation tactics than others. For example, if you’re targeting a trend-conscious, digital, or creative space, a visual cover letter can help you. But if you’re applying to a more traditional field like law or healthcare, emailing the hiring manager may still be the smartest move. The same goes for the role itself: visual presentation works best when creativity and communication are expected for the position. As Stacey notes, “I definitely don’t recommend visual presentations for every role. They work best when storytelling and presentation are part of the job responsibilities.”
It’s also important to consider who will receive your offer and how they will respond. Ideally, you send it to someone in the department you want to work in or someone on the recruiting team who is open to a more modern approach. A quick scan of LinkedIn can tell you a lot: Do they post frequently and engage with content? If so, they may receive something a little different. If they haven’t updated their profile since 2012, they may not be your best audience. You can also check your gut by asking people you know in similar roles how they reacted. Your cool cousin Jim in PR? Very. Your friend’s mother, who is the corporate attorney at the insurance company? He might be confused.
4 steps to create and send an effective visual cover letter
Once you’ve decided that a visual cover letter is the approach you’re going to try, now you need to make sure it really helps you shine. Keep the following tips in mind to help guide you through this process.
1. Determine the right media
A Canva deck, thoughtfully designed and curated, can be an incredible visual portfolio that showcases your work and what you’ll bring to a company in a way a traditional cover letter never could. While a portfolio showcases your past work, a visual presentation lets you introduce yourself and show what you can do for the company (think: a 2-slide overview of how you updated their mobile homepage to be more UX-friendly). A compelling video easily showcases your personality, communication skills, and ability to work with innovative channels in a way that a pitch deck can’t. Take some time to think about which medium makes more sense for you and your dream role before spending time in it.
2. Keep it concise
You know how you decide in 0.06 seconds whether you are going to scroll to the next video on TikTok? Yes, your recruiter or hiring manager will likely do the same. So, make your video about a minute long, start strong (no awkward millennial pauses here!), and practice what you’re going to say. Don’t lose control!
The same goes for short visual presentations. You only have one or two slides to grab someone’s attention, so keep it short, highlight what differentiates you most, and focus on things that your traditional resume or cover letter won’t easily convey. A good idea is to run it by a friend first and ask his honest opinion. This will give you the opportunity to change anything that looks less interesting or attention-grabbing than you would like.
3. Make it professional
Consider this as part of the interview process and give your best. If you record video, record it in a clean, professional atmosphere, appear presentable, and remove any distractions. For short presentations, use templates that align with the company brand, remove any confidential information from work you’ve done for previous clients, and triple-check for spelling or grammatical errors. A visual cover letter is a huge endorsement of your personal brand and can be the first thing a hiring manager sees, so make it count!
4. Personalize
For every person or company you send a video or short presentation to, you want them to feel special.
For videos, talk to people directly (“Hey Jan, I saw you working [insert company] and also went to my alma mater [insert name]Come on eagle! I’m applying…”). For a short presentation, find a way to contact the company directly by searching their website and creating a brief case study about what skills you specifically bring to help them in the role you’re applying for.
Stacey echoes the importance of adjustment. “It takes more time to personalize something, but a generic video or deck is actually worse than nothing. When someone refers to a team they want to work with or a real challenge the company is facing, it immediately signals that they’ve done their homework.”
Devin Cleary Gooden, Contributing Financial Writer
Devin is a Toronto-based content creator and marketer with 10 years of experience writing about finance and career tips for women. She is passionate about helping women understand finances so they can create the life they want, whatever that looks like. He is currently a senior manager of content at a fintech company, where he works on websites, email, social media, video and podcasts.
Hailey Tagliarino, Assistant Managing Editor
As Assistant Managing Editor for The Everygirl, Hailey Tagliarino oversees, writes, and edits content across various categories on the site. From the pitch stage to publishing, he works with the team to ensure that the content our readers see every day is inspiring, relevant and timely.
The post These Cover Letter Upgrades Help Candidates Land Jobs appeared first on The Everygirl.
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