Sample Grid Cover Letter
The cover letter can be the most maddening part of the application process. How do you write something that will introduce you, show what you can do, impress the reader and bring an interview all in one easy to read letter? And what about the recruiter/HR person doing the screening? Does the letter even apply to them?
Here is one suggestion for getting around that issue, the Grid Cover Letter. Its target audience is the harried person looking to screen candidate out quickly. It lays out the requirements from the job and draws a line to your exact qualifications.
Check out the sample Job Description for a zoo keeper at Sample Job Descriptions.org and then look at the cover letter below:
To whom it may concern:
I am writing to express interest in the zoo keeper position found on your website. My 12 years of experience in caring for a wide variety of animals in a non-profit setting are well suited for the duties listed in the job description. Here is a list of how my Skills& Experiences apply to the Zoo Keeper position:
| Zoo Keeper Position | My abilities & experiences |
|---|---|
| The prime responsibility of a zoo keeper is to take 360 degree care of the animals present inside the zoo. | 12 years experience taking 360 degree care of animals for various non-profit organizations |
| He or she has to feed the animal, make all the possible things to keep them happy and healthy like keeping a vigilant eye on their health, help them to bath, to piss and so on. | Feed, bathed, nursed and monitored adult, juvenile and newborn animals keeping them healthy, happy and presentable to the public |
| A zoo keeper should have an animal friendly behavior. | Recognized by peers and managers for my ability to deal with cross animals and establish friendly relationships with all animals under care |
| He or she should know how to take the care of animals and keep them under control. | Often given difficult cases of nurturing neglected or abused animals keeping them calm and rehabilitating them |
| He or she should have knowledge about different animals’ behaviors. | Cared for marsupials, mammals of multiple environments (plains, forest, jungle), reptiles, birds and aquatic life as well |
| Educational qualification does not matter a lot for zoo keeper job as it is a job where behavior is the sole thing that matters. | Rewarded and lauded for my behavior with animals once winning Handler of the Year while at the South City Game Park |
| If someone has a degree in zoology or any related stream then he or she is a perfect candidate for the zoo keeper job, as he or she possesses knowledge about the animal behavior. | Obtained several certifications in animal care for multiple species |
As you can see my experience with animals is well suited for the zoo. I look forward to meeting with you to speak about animal care and possibly how to deal with a arthritic zebra.
Sincerely
--applicant's name--
Ultimately I only wrote three sentences and then seven phrases addressing their points using their language so that it catches their eye better. In a way you are letting them write the letter for you by incorporating their requirements in your answers. For a recruiter who is simply trying to fill a box on a form this is a blessing as you have made their job easier. If their requirements stretch on and on then take the ones you are strongest on and use those. Also, you can combine similar requirements into one box. The point is that you are saying what they want to hear in their language.