There are traditionally two ways to apply for a job: attending job fairs and sending out resumes via mail.

Having recently attended several job fairs with unsatisfactory experiences, I have decided to shift my focus to sending out resumes via mail for my next phase of job hunting (I’m not yet confident enough to directly call for job opportunities).

However, a major challenge in sending out resumes via mail is figuring out how to write an effective cover letter.

In my recent attempts at email job applications, I have not referred to online resources but instead relied on my own enthusiasm to type out the letters directly. On one hand, I believe that many interview and job application tips found online are not very practical, often emphasizing an exaggerated or inauthentic self, which, even if it leads to a job, would be hard to sustain in the long run. On the other hand, when it comes to writing, unless I am completely at a loss, I always prefer to solve problems on my own.

Lately, my job search has been leaning towards more conservative and stable positions, no longer aggressively seeking jobs that require a significant shift from my major, but rather seeking positions within my main field where I can make breakthroughs.

Below is my latest cover letter, hastily written this morning, but I have indeed found that writing a cover letter is not as easy as it seems.

Mr. Tang,

Hello!

I learned from ChinaHR that your esteemed company is currently looking to hire a Legal Affairs Specialist. From your company’s website, I have come to understand the beautiful vision of spreading delicious careers and brewing a fulfilling life, as well as the corporate values of being grounded in fundamentals, pursuing endless development, and striving to be the best. I am genuinely impressed by Haitians’ business ethos of “only entrepreneurship, no maintenance,” and the bold sentiment of “countless barriers like iron, yet we stride forward anew.” I understand that the position of Legal Affairs Specialist requires me to possess basic legal knowledge and practical experience to assist our legal supervisors in handling internal and external legal affairs.

During my studies at Foshan University of Science and Technology, I systematically learned the knowledge of various legal departments covered by the basics of law. Although I cannot claim to be detailed in the laws related to the food production industry that Haitians are involved in, I feel that I can generally meet the job requirements. During my time at school, I served as a legal advisor for several school-related websites and forums, actively guiding and ensuring the freedom of speech within the legal scope for website administrators and netizens, as well as handling disputes involving personal reputation and privacy rights. I also interned at the enforcement bureaus of the Chancheng and Nanhai District People’s Courts for several months, actively assisting judges with document preparation, file organization, transcript writing, and enforcement assistance.

Within my understanding, the work of a Legal Affairs Specialist is both familiar and challenging. It is familiar because I have been on the fringes of legal work for four years, accumulating a wealth of non-combat experience; it is challenging because I have long been theorizing in an ivory tower without much practical application of knowledge. Of course, as a new employee of Haitians, it is my essential duty and obligation to diligently learn and work on job-related knowledge. Only by continuously breaking through and pursuing new heights can we establish our foundation for the future. Regarding working hours and environment, I do not wish for too relaxed a work environment because I have always believed that working under appropriate pressure can better stimulate my potential, and only in this way can one truly realize their value.

Facing the corporate value of “only entrepreneurship, no maintenance,” I deeply feel that to fulfill the duty of an employee, one not only needs sustained motivation and passion but also must take on more responsibility for the development of the enterprise. I look forward to working as a Legal Affairs Specialist at Haitians. Although my current knowledge is not extensive and my abilities need improvement, I am determined to quickly become a qualified Haitians employee through learning from seniors and my own diligent work. I will contribute to Haitians’ continuous entrepreneurship and innovation through my relentless efforts.

I look forward to your response.

Originally, I saw that Haitians’ recruitment materials included instructions on how to write a cover letter. However, since I have no work experience, I am unsure how to describe work content, working hours, and work environment, so I had to rely on my imagination to write a few lines.

Comparing this to a previous cover letter I wrote for Taiping Life Insurance:

Manager Liang,

Hello! I learned from our school’s graduate employment website that your esteemed company is currently hiring for the Claims Investigation position.

I am fully confident in taking on this first challenging job of my life, with details provided in my resume, which I kindly ask you to review. Regarding the Claims Investigation position, I have gained considerable understanding through various consultations and studies. With the principle of gradual progress and the goal of applying what I have learned, I hope to steadily apply my knowledge in practice. I look forward to working in Claims Investigation at Taiping Life Insurance. Although my current knowledge needs improvement and my abilities need enhancement, I believe that through learning from seniors at work, I will quickly become a qualified Taiping employee and contribute to Taiping and its policyholders through my efforts. I await your good news.

Summarizing the writing of cover letters, I believe there are a few points worth noting, though I’m not sure if they count as correct experiences:

1. Keep the word count within 500 words; too much is sloppy, too little lacks sincerity.
2. Personal experiences may overlap with the resume; try to use the cover letter as a supplement to the resume, as HR likely values the resume more.
3. Do not attempt to secure a job by personally targeting HR (a lesson from a previous failure).
4. Try to present the format formally, avoiding mistakes like typos.