Those words aren’t going to write themselves, you know.
It’s common for people to have trouble talking about themselves and their accomplishments. But when you’re putting together a resume or cover letter, you don’t want to have to struggle to get the words on the page. Writer’s block is a real pain, but I’ve got several tips to help you work through it as you put your application together.
Develop a ritual to get yourself into a mood for writing. Some people use rewards to motivate themselves. Others use punishments. My trick: I listen to the same music (Fleetwood Mac) when I have some tough writing to do. It’s a signal to my brain that it’s time to focus and I don't get to listen to anything else until I’m done. It’s not even that I dislike Fleetwood Mac, but at a certain point, I become desperate not to get to that “Early Live Version of Rhiannon” on Spotify again.
Indulge Yourself — Briefly
If you enjoy a little social media before you get the work, that’s fine. Just set a timer so you know when it’s time to be done. One of my colleagues likes to follow travel accounts, visual artists and comedians on Instagram. Often after a few minutes of this, she’s inspired and ready to get to work.
Threaten Yourself
There’s always something else that needs doing and that I like doing even less than a hard writing task, such as cleaning or paperwork. I tell myself that if I don’t do the writing, I have to work on that instead. Writing is less awful than cleaning. Or working on your taxes. Always.
Focus on the Facts
Don’t feel like you have to be “creative” here. The most important thing to include in both the cover letter and resume is the results you achieved, using hard data if possible. Focus on how much you reduced turnover, increased sales or saved the company by taking accounting in-house. Whatever fits for your industry.
Don’t Try to Hard to Be Clever
Your cover letter and resume are an introduction. Aim for a conversational, professional tone. Avoid trying to be too edgy. What sounds funny or quirky or special to one person is tacky, cheesy or offensive to someone else.
If you have hobbies or off-the-job skills that apply to the position, by all means share that. For example, if you are applying for a position that requires a great deal of discipline and focus, feel free to mention that you run marathons. If the job will require public speaking, include that you do stand-up comedy in your spare time.
Don’t put the jokes in the cover letter, though. They rarely work.
Enlist a Buddy to Help
If you work really hard to get something on the page and want to send it off in a rush because you’re finally done, don’t. Instead, ask your judgiest friend to review it and tell you whether you’re really presenting yourself as capable and professional.
If they tell you it’s awful, listen to them. Spare yourself the unforced error.
I’ve had people write that if I didn’t hire them, it would be the greatest mistake I’d ever make, which is both arrogant and greatly underestimates my own capacity to make mistakes.
One of my colleagues even had someone give her their entire religious history (when they joined the church, positions they held, their religious leader’s name as a reference) and flat out said it would be a sin if she didn’t hire them.
No, she didn’t hire them; no word on the impact that will have on her chances in the afterlife.
Pass this advice to your friends. Share with them.
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