After reading the selected reading on tailoring your cover letter, I found it to be informative and helpful. The selected readings proved strategies in detailing ways to direct your cover letters to fit them appropriately towards a job ad. In the reading from “Kairos and the Cover Letter”, it discusses different approach methods to consider when writing a cover letter. One example in this reading stresses the importance of tailoring to the specific position described in the ad. This example provided insightful tools on tone and direction to consider in the “clincher” or opening paragraph.
The different approaches in “Kairos and the Cover Letter” awakening me to more strategies to incorporate into a cover letter. However, some of the strategies suggested such as the “In-The-Face” approach, appears to be risky move. Even though the reading stated, “Adjust your tone and style to the tone of the job ad”, it seems hard to find the exact tone of a job ad. Almost every job ad that I've come across in my experience would never warrant this approach style. I'm surprise with the information the readings are telling you, they don't break down a sample job ad to help users recognize tone and style.The rhetorical question approach reflects the job ad way too much in my opinion. Do having all those rhetorical questions in an opening paragraph really having any appeal value? I won't think so, which is why the “Me” approach seems more of suitable tone I'll be tailoring towards in my cover letter(taking in consideration the tone and style of job ad).
In the approach of writing a “perfect” cover letter, it's important to embrace different contributing factors into a cover letter. With the tools suggested from the readings,I'll be sure to incorporate a personal approach, address the specific position from the ad, and use keywords in my cover letter.
Which approach works for you?
I also felt that the example about the opening paragraph being a “clincher” was very informative. It helped me think of how I really need to grab their attention in the first few sentences. I felt that the “In-The-Face” approach was also a little too risky for me to want to try something of that nature. I also used the “Me” approach when writing my cover letter. This “Me” style helped tell how my personal experience can help me suit the needs of the position I wish to fill. As you said in your last few sentences it is important to address the position and try to use as many key words as possible from the ad.
Interpretations
I'd go back and check that passage in "Kairos" if I were you. I think the article was trying to point out a few semi-common bad cover letter strategies - a "five strategies not to use" kind of thing. At least that's how I interpreted it, anyway:
"Here's a sample job ad, with a few strategies for addressing it in a cover letter (none of which works). Some of these have been highly exaggerated to highlight strategies that are frequently misused or turn out to be highly inappropriate when judged in the context of the situation." (A passage from Kairos.)
The "kairos" reading is presenting approaches to avoid
TANoNati is correct. The "Kairos" article isn't listing different strategies to try out; it is showing exaggerated versions of moves that don't work well. The overall point is that it is crucial to acknowledge that each situation is unique, so you shouldn't stick to a one-size-fits all approach. Focus your letter on the individual needs of the position. As the reading states:
ugh.
I apologize about my misinterpretation of the message in the “Kairos” article. I had accidently misread some parts in the passage that mislead the direction the author was taking. After reading it again, the article does make more logically sense with the different approaches you shouldn’t take towards writing your cover letter.
The lesson section at the bottom of the article clearly states the angle of approach you should address in a cover letter. I’m embarrassed for missing this somehow while reading it.
One thing I’m still trying hard to avoid while writing a cover letter is, trying not to reiterate your resume.
In Your Face
The "in your face" approach must be used with caution. It's risky because you can seem too arrogant and basically overly confident. I think that this approach works best when you are very confident in your skills and the job requires some sort of leadership. Such boldness is often times a trait of a great fast paced leader/manager so using it in a cover letter might help you move up a step in your career.
RE: In Your Face
There might be an occasion to do this, but be aware that the "Kairos and the Cover Letter" reading explicitly positions its examples as bad moves that do not adjust tone and style to suit the job ad, organization, and the author's goals. I would steer clear of the "in your face" approach and the other three, as the reading recommends.