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127 lines
4.2 KiB
Markdown
127 lines
4.2 KiB
Markdown
# Cover Letter Templates and Tailoring Guide
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## Template: Custom cover.cls (XeLaTeX)
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Cover letters use a custom LaTeX document class (`cover.cls`) with Lato/Raleway fonts.
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**Output file:** `cover_letters/cover_<company>_<role>.tex`
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**Compile with:** XeLaTeX (not pdflatex)
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**Font directory:** `cover_letters/OpenFonts/fonts/`
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## Document Structure
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```latex
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%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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% Cover Letter - [Company], [Role]
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%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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\documentclass[]{cover}
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\usepackage{fancyhdr}
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\pagestyle{fancy}
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\fancyhf{}
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\rfoot{Page \thepage \hspace{0pt}}
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\thispagestyle{empty}
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\renewcommand{\headrulewidth}{0pt}
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\begin{document}
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%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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% TITLE NAME
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%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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\namesection{}{\Huge{[YOUR_NAME]}}{ \href{mailto:[YOUR_EMAIL]}{[YOUR_EMAIL]} | [YOUR_PHONE] | \urlstyle{same}\href{[YOUR_LINKEDIN_URL]}{LinkedIn}
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}
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%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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% MAIN COVER LETTER CONTENT
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%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
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\currentdate{\today}
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\lettercontent{Dear [Name/Team],}
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\lettercontent{[Opening paragraph - role, connection to background, 2-3 sentences]}
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\lettercontent{[Body paragraph - most relevant experience, then bullet list]
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\begin{itemize}
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\item [Concrete achievement/skill 1]
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\item [Concrete achievement/skill 2]
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\item [Concrete achievement/skill 3]
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\end{itemize}
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[Connection to company - why this role, why this company specifically]}
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\lettercontent{[Personal fit paragraph - behavioral strengths, team contribution, 2-3 sentences]}
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\lettercontent{I look forward to hearing from you.}
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\begin{flushright}
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\closing{Kind regards,\\}
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\signature{[YOUR_NAME]}
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\end{flushright}
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\end{document}
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```
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## Key Commands Reference
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| Command | Purpose |
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|---------|---------|
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| `\namesection{}{Name}{contact info}` | Header with name and contact |
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| `\currentdate{date}` | Date field (use `\today` or explicit date) |
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| `\lettercontent{text}` | Body paragraph (adds spacing after) |
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| `\closing{text}` | Closing line |
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| `\signature{name}` | Printed name below signature |
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## Tailoring Guidelines
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### Salutation
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- If you know the hiring manager's name: "Dear [First Last],"
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- If you know the team: "Dear [Company] hiring team,"
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- Generic: "Dear [Company]," (avoid "To whom it may concern")
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### Length - Hard 1-Page Limit
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- Target: 1 page including signature block
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- Maximum: **never exceed 1 page**
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- **Word budget: 250-300 words** of body text (not counting LaTeX markup). This is the safe maximum. 350 words will overflow.
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- **Always count**: opening paragraph + bullet list paragraph + closing paragraph = 3 blocks. Add a 4th only if the others are short.
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- When adding company-specific content, trim other content to compensate rather than adding net length
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### Line Spacing
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- Add `\usepackage{setspace}` and `\setstretch{1.0}` if the letter is long and needs to fit on one page
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- Use `\vspace{.5cm}` between major sections for readability (only if space permits)
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### Bullet Lists
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- Use `\begin{itemize}...\end{itemize}` inside a `\lettercontent{}` block
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- 3-5 bullets is ideal
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- Start each bullet with bold label or action verb
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- Use `\textbf{Label:}` for category-style bullets
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### LaTeX Special Characters
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- Underscore: `\_`
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- Ampersand: `\&`
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### Non-English Cover Letters
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- Same template structure, just write content in the posting's language
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- Adjust date format to local convention
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- Adjust closing to local convention (e.g. "Med venlig hilsen," for Danish)
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## Checklist Before Finalizing
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- [ ] No em-dashes (use commas or periods instead)
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- [ ] No cliches or empty filler
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- [ ] Every claim backed by specific example
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- [ ] Forward-looking framing: focuses on tasks you'll solve, not just past duties
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- [ ] Motivation section references this specific company's mission/values
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- [ ] Company name and role are correct throughout
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- [ ] Date is current
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- [ ] Fits on one page
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- [ ] Language matches the job posting language
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- [ ] Salutation is appropriate (named person if possible)
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- [ ] Headline is engaging and specific, not generic
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## Submission Guidelines (Best Practice)
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- Submit only the documents the employer requests
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- Export as PDF to preserve formatting
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- Name files clearly: "[Your Name] CV" and "[Your Name] Cover Letter"
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- Follow all employer instructions regarding anonymity or specific materials
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