Dullards, bums, and hacks

10 years ago

The letter illustrates what NOT to say in a cover letter.

It reeks of arrogance... and spells "trouble" with a capital "T". Any publisher or editor in his right mind would never schedule a job interview based on it.

Here's a helpful article that talks about the cover letter and points out 5 things wrong with it...

Hunter S. Thompson's Cover Letter Failure - Excelle

Alex

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John Lloyd

10 years ago

Originally Posted by Alex Cohen

The letter illustrates what NOT to say in a cover letter.

It reeks of arrogance... and spells "trouble" with a capital "T". Any publisher or editor in his right mind would never schedule a job interview based on it.

Here's a helpful article that talks about the cover letter and points out 5 things wrong with it...

Hunter S. Thompson's Cover Letter Failure - Excelle

Alex

I think a degree of arrogance is actually admired in America. It's strange but people presume that the arrogance is justified for some reason.

Thompson's style was very brash but it worked for him. If I were the hiring manager, I'd give him 5 minutes to see what he could do.

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Alex Cohen 10 years ago

Originally Posted by John Lloyd

Thompson's style was very brash but it worked for him.

Not really.

Apparently he had some serious issues he tried to medicate with heavy alcohol and drug use. Eventually he committed suicide.

So I don't think his attitude did anything for him at all... except deepen the pit he was so desperately trying to escape.

Alex
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joe golfer

10 years ago

Yup, you shouldn't send anything like this one if you want to work -- for money, anyway. It's kinda funny, though.

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BrianMcLeod

10 years ago

One can only hope this Hunter S. Thompson character eventually learns how to become a paid writer someday...

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Brian McLeod

Direct Response Copywriting

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Wilyon Rodger 10 years ago

Originally Posted by BrianMcLeod

One can only hope this Hunter S. Thompson character eventually learns how to become a paid writer someday...

Hunter when on to write Fear and loathing in Las Vegas,travelling with his Samoan attorney
and a huge amount of drugs of all shapes and sizes..it was a hysterical read-sold like crazy
and established his place firmly among the Ken Kesey and Tom Wolfe new school of journalism
-maybe early 70"s.He had a place some deep in the wilds of Arkansas-then went on to produce
"The Proud Highway"--another road adventure. He started getting just a little wierd-and I understand
he was fairly wasted all the time. An essential artisan in the search for the true America
he finished another epic .Then he blew his brains out. But so did Hemingway.Tragic really
"Tomorrow Always Comes" is a fabulous piece of warrior-ship in the midst of chaos and pressure.
I can ship copies direct-unforgettable lightening suspense with a knife twist on a fated corner.
Zuckerbergers included.
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angiecolee

10 years ago

Frankly, if I were a hiring manager, I'd be reading that man's clippings and seeing about a face to face.

I'd much rather meet with a passionate person than an ass kisser.

And this is based on the number of resumes and cover letters I've edited for friends and colleagues. 5000% of them were BOOOOOOORRRRRRRIIIIIIIINNNNNNGGGGGG.

These are people I love. Their work? Total snooze fest.

So I rewrote their shit. Because what is the real purpose of a resume and a cover letter?

To tell a story. To get someone intrigued enough to reach out. You can fill in the blanks in person, but getting your foot in the door is the hardest part.

My current percentage? 100% of them went on to get jobs in their desired field. Yeah yeah, I know that statistic won't stand forever, but I'm damn well going to brag about it now.

Hiring managers are looking for people that stand out. They look at boring bullshit all day every day.The same templated resume that someone found on the Google. The same "responsible for" or "duties include" crap that makes their eyes glaze over.

Even if it's dated, even if he didn't get the job, his letter got attention. So much that they saved it. So much that over 50 years later, we're reading and dissecting a ******* COVER LETTER, guys.

Be bold, even if it doesn't work. There are a million reasons he may not have been hired. Doesn't necessarily mean this isn't a lesson worth studying.

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Alex Cohen

10 years ago

Originally Posted by angiecolee

Frankly, if I were a hiring manager, I'd be reading that man's clippings and seeing about a face to face.

I'd much rather meet with a passionate person than an ass kisser.

He was passionate and interesting alright.

But a guy with his attitude would have been absolutely toxic in a newsroom.

Alex