40 Tips for Writing a Killer Cover Letter for an Art Job

In a job market as competitive as today's, artists simply do not have the luxury of making a mistake on any aspect of their applications. The average employer spends fifteen seconds looking at a cover letter. Therefore, it is the artist's task to make an incredibly good impression very quickly.

The following article is designed to help artists produce the perfect cover letter, one that is engaging, insightful, and flawlessly written. Beyond 40 helpful tips, we also included two cover letter templates.

The Header and Salutation

1. Find the right name.
   Be sure to use the name of the hiring manager. Spell it correctly. Make sure of the gender. If in doubt, call the art school and inquire. Ask for not only the correct spelling but their title and department as well. This makes the letter personal and shows that you took the time to do your research. After you have exhausted all avenues and you positively are not able to find the contact name, the artist's best choice is to write "Dear Director of Art College Relations (or Marketing or Human Resources)" for the salutation. Never, ever write "Dear Sir/Madamn."
   
   
2. Include the date at the beginning of the letter.
This is helpful for your interviewer and may be useful to you if you ever need to reference your cover letter and application with someone over the phone.


3. Use the proper greeting
The "Dear…" line can be a little tricky. Miss should be Ms., not in just the art world but the business world as well. It is the most appropriate way to address a woman. Never use Mrs. This is outdated and presumptuous. The generic "To Whom It May Concern" should be avoided and replaced with "Dear Mr. or Ms." This sounds less formulaic. Never use the person's first name as it sounds too informal. Finally, check the spelling of the recipient's name!


4. Include all important information in the header.
Most headers use the style of a business letter. Begin with your name and address followed by your phone number and email. The date the artist sent the cover letter should follow the company's address. After that you may want to insert a reference, i.e. "RE: Art position at X." The remainder of the heading consists of the salutation.


5. Place the header correctly.
The artist's name, address, and contact information should be placed at the top, either centered or to the far left. Skip one line, then put the art organizations name, address, and contact information on the left margin. Skip one line, tab to just right of center, and insert the date. Finally, skip one more line and then insert your salutation and colon.

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Cover Letter Content

6. Establish your letters goals before writing it.
A good way to start your cover letter is to outline what exactly you want to say before you start typing. This will allow you to organize your thoughts before diving in.


7. Include an opening, introduction paragraph, but keep it brief and get to the point.
Start off immediately stating who you are, why you are writing, and what your artistic abilities include. Keep in mind that the hiring managers are reading hundreds of these. Don't beat around the bush or make them scan an entire paragraph for relevant information.


8. Keep it short.
Cover letters should be limited to three or four paragraphs in length and should not exceed one page.


9. Include particulars about why you are perfect for the position.
Cover letters should be limited to three or four paragraphs in length and should not exceed one page.


10. Include the position you are applying for.
This is helpful for your interviewer and will ensure that your application gets to the right person. Remember: the job market is flooded right now and most HR managers will get an influx of CVs. Make sure yours doesn't get lost in the pile, or worse yet, the wrong pile.


11. Give distinct credentials.
Present your art qualifications in a way that will distinguish you and show you as a person who can accomplish even the most difficult requirements. Be specific. Make sure that the person reading your response will know exactly how your previous experience qualifies you for the position.


12. Include a conclusion paragraph in the letter.
Reiterate briefly your artistic abilities and make sure to stress that you are more than willing to provide more information when requested, whether this means samples or interviews.


13. Provide attachments and enclosures.
Other than the obvious resume, consider providing images, artist's declarations, or letters of recommendations either from professors or previous employers. For positions that are artistically centered, examples of your work can really set you apart from the pack.


14. Give links to your work.
Today, all artists should have a website. Without one you look out of touch and not serious. Make sure that your site is updated and aesthetically pleasing and include a link in your cover letter.


15. Read the job add thoroughly.
Most employers will say exactly what they're looking for in their original job posting. Make sure to address these skills in your cover letter. For example, if the add says, "We are looking for an organized individual with strong graphic design skills," give examples of how you are organized and have worked on numerous graphic design projects in the past with great success.


16. Customize each cover letter.
Writing cover letters is a pain and when you have to send out numerous to get any sort of response in this job market, your life can feel like a never ending cycle of writing and rewriting cover letters. While it may be tempting to just use the same one over and over again, resist temptation. Companies can tell when you reuse cover letters and if you want to standout and appear like a genuinely interested candidate, you must customize your work.


17. Don't reiterate your resume.
Your cover letter is your chance to expand on your resume. Do not simply list the accomplishments already listed in your resume. The HR Manager will peruse your resume. You need to use your cover letter to fill in any holes and explain why this job meets your qualifications.


18. Explain how this job will fit into your long-term goals.
You must show the employer that this job will fit into your future goals. Employers want to make sure that a) you will stay with the company for a number of years and b) you are doing something you feel passionately about. If they feel that this job is a filler, they will look down on your application.


19. Keep a positive tone.
Don't allow your frustration over your job search to seep through into your cover letter. Keep a positive, upbeat tone. The last thing you want is for HR managers to read your cover letter as negative.


20. If you include a website, make sure to have the following information presented on the site.
The artist's website should contain work that viewers can easily peruse. Consider adding a professional statement, a bio, and even available references.


21. Talk about the company.
One of the best things you can do in a cover letter is talk specifically about the company. What do you like about their work? How could you add to it? What stands out on their website? This shows HR managers that you took the time to research the company and think about what you learned.

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Things to Avoid in Your Cover Letter

21. Don't use slang.
Slang is not professional and reflects poorly on your. You also run the risk of people not understanding what you mean.


22. Never list salary requirements unless explicitly asked.
Not only does this convey a general sense of snobbery, but you don't want to be ruled out based on your salary requirements alone, especially since salaries are often negotiable and many companies offer other benefits if the salary is lower.


23. Do not use a generic form letter.
An all-purpose art cover letter you downloaded from a website will get you nowhere. Do research on each individual cover letter. Request an interview and follow up. You will be significantly more successful if you write a real letter instead of a form letter. Keep in mind that HR managers read hundreds of these letters. They can easily recognize a formulaic cover letter.


24. Do not be vague.
First of all, it's annoying. Employers don't want to speculate. Second, it is important for you to present your art qualifications in a way that shows that you are a person who can accomplish even the most difficult assignments. Give specific examples of your previous experience.


25. Do not over-exaggerate your success.
It might be tempting, but it's very important that you resist this temptation. Many employees will check your credentials with former employees. Further, you don't want to get hired and given a task you simply can't do. Not only would this be embarrassing, but it would likely lead to immediate termination.


26. Do not use words you don't know the meaning of.
While MS Word Thesaurus can be useful, be careful using it too excessively. If you misuse a word you'll end up looking immature and silly.


27. Do not misspell words.
While this may seem obvious, when you are writing several cover letters a day it can be easy to overlook something. Always keep spell check on and if possible, get somebody else to read over your work. They will like pick up on things you've missed.


28. Do not lie.
Whether it's about your GPA, the number of galleries you've showed at, or your credentials, it's a mistake to lie when applying for a job. If you get caught, the situation can become embarrassing and can sometimes land you in trouble.


29. Do not sound arrogant.
Arrogance is an unattractive quality and while it is important for an artist to come across as confident, be sure not to cross the line and sound conceited.


30. Do not use improper punctuation and grammar.
There is a time and a place to bend grammar rules. Your cover letter is not one of them. Make sure to have somebody proofread everything you write. It's easy to overlook mistakes in your own writing.


31. Do not speak negatively of past employers.
While it may be tempting to bash your old boss, resist doing so. This is a surefire way to get your cover letter thrown in the garbage bin.


32. Do not make excuses.
If you don't have a great deal of work experience, or your work hasn't been shown in many galleries, do not waste the HR manager's time by explaining what has gone wrong. Your work should speak for itself.

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Formatting

33. Keep it simple.
Whether you are sending an e-mail or turning in a physical cover letter, resist your artistic impulses and keep the color and aesthetics simple and professional.


34. Use email to send in your cover letter and resume.
Most jobs now prefer that you apply through email. Do not attach the cover letter as an attachment. That will only create one more thing for the HR department to open.


35. The subject of your email should include the position you are apply for and your name.
Make the reason for your email very clear by putting the subject as the position and your name. If you are too ambiguous hiring managers may discard your email.


36. Do not include the typical header if you email your cover letter.
Typical artistic cover letter rules do not always apply in an email setting. Format it as follows: date, greeting, body, closing, and address.


37. Organize the cover letter with standard styles.
Use paper that is 8.5 by 11 inches. Make sure the paper is white, ecru, or beige. Remember to only use the front side of the paper leaving a one inch margin at the top, bottom, left, and right. Cover letters should use 12 point font in Times New Roman font or a font similar to Times New Roman. Black ink is preferred. Resist the urge to break out other colors. It will make your resume stand-out and not in a good way.


38. Follow business letter format.
Business letter format can be confusing to many individuals. The following section is designed to help you understand the business letter format.


39. Use proper procedures for enclosing documents.
Be sure to place the world "Enclosures" just below your signature. This is a signal to look for any additional documents, such as a resume or examples of work.

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Template for a Hard Copy Cover Letter

Your Full Name
Your Street Address
City, State, Zip
Email
Phone
Website (if you have one)

The Date

Name of Recipient of Letter
Recipient's Title
Company Name
Company Street Address
Company City, State, Zip

Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name of Hiring Manager]:

I am writing you this letter to express my interest in the graphic design position advertised by your company on MediaBistro.com. I feel that I would be an excellent candidate for the job. I am a recent graduate from the New York University Design School where I specialized in graphic and web design. Not only did I graduate in the top 10 percect of my class, but I worked closely with several major design firms as an intern. My experiences at Company X and Company Y have taught me to meet deadlines, work with clients to produce the design they desire, and succeed in a fast-paced environment.

After looking at your company's website and reading the requirements for your new hire, I strongly feel that I could be a great asset to your team. One of the things that I appreciate about your company is your consistent close attention to detail. Design X, for instance, exhibits a user friendly design that is well-crafted and aesthetically pleasing. Further, I can easily see what product is being advertised and gain a basic understanding of the company's mission. I feel that my experience with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and other programs would enable me to add to the quality of work currently being handled by your firm.

Beyond my graphic design skills, I also have experience with CSS, Java, and HTML coding. These skills allow me to work closely with web designers, facilitating the design process. At my previous internship with Company Y, I was in charge of collaborating with a web designer on the production of a corporate site ( www.xxx.com ). While it was my job to work on the logo, we ended up pooling our resources and knowledge heavily on the entire project. The end result exceeded the company's original expectations.

I would love an opportunity to discuss this opportunity with you in greater detail. Enclosed in this email is my resume and samples of my work. I would also encourage you to take a look at my website at www.mywebsite.com . Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Your Signature

Jane Doe

Enclosed: Resume and Samples

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Template for an Emailed Cover Letter

Subject: Title of Job You Are Applying For – Your Name

Email Message:

The Date

Dear [Mr./Ms. Last Name of Hiring Manager]:

I am writing you this letter to express my interest in the graphic design position advertised by your company on MediaBistro.com. I feel that I would be an excellent candidate for the job. I am a recent graduate from the New York University Design School where I specialized in graphic and web design. Not only did I graduate in the top 10 percect of my class, but I worked closely with several major design firms as an intern. My experiences at Company X and Company Y have taught me to meet deadlines, work with clients to produce the design they desire, and succeed in a fast-paced environment.

After looking at your company's website and reading the requirements for your new hire, I strongly feel that I could be a great asset to your team. One of the things that I appreciate about your company is your consistent close attention to detail. Design X, for instance, exhibits a user friendly design that is well-crafted and aesthetically pleasing. Further, I can easily see what product is being advertised and gain a basic understanding of the company's mission. I feel that my experience with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and other programs would enable me to add to the quality of work currently being handled by your firm.

Beyond my graphic design skills, I also have experience with CSS, Java, and HTML coding. These skills allow me to work closely with web designers, facilitating the design process. At my previous internship with Company Y, I was in charge of collaborating with a web designer on the production of a corporate site ( www.xxx.com ). While it was my job to work on the logo, we ended up pooling our resources and knowledge heavily on the entire project. The end result exceeded the company's original expectations.

I would love an opportunity to discuss this opportunity with you in greater detail. Enclosed in this email is my resume and samples of my work. I would also encourage you to take a look at my website at www.mywebsite.com . Thank you in advance for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jane Doe

Attached: Resume and Samples

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