Please help me write a cover letter
April 3, 2024 10:26 AM Subscribe
I'm applying for a job with an environmentally friendly cleaning company. They say that no experience is required, but I do have a small amount of cleaning experience from other jobs that weren't primarily about cleaning. Here's what's tripping me up: they want my cover letter to describe a recent challenge or obstacle I've faced, and I can't think of any that make me look good in a workplace setting.
I've had plenty of challenges and obstacles in my life, but I can't think of one that ties up neatly and makes me look good, or would make an employer want to hire me. The only ones I can think of are either too dark and personal, or confusing/off-putting since they're not things most people have trouble with. I can also think of some very minor incidents at other jobs, but I'm getting the sense that the company almost wants a feel good story. Does anyone have examples of the sort of challenge or obstacle an employer would like to read about in a cover letter?
If you would like to see the company's website, memail me and I can send it.
I've had plenty of challenges and obstacles in my life, but I can't think of one that ties up neatly and makes me look good, or would make an employer want to hire me. The only ones I can think of are either too dark and personal, or confusing/off-putting since they're not things most people have trouble with. I can also think of some very minor incidents at other jobs, but I'm getting the sense that the company almost wants a feel good story. Does anyone have examples of the sort of challenge or obstacle an employer would like to read about in a cover letter?
If you would like to see the company's website, memail me and I can send it.
You have to tackle this with the end in mind: What values/personality traits does this company say they have, and what of your values/personality traits align with those, that you wish to highlight? Once you've landed on values/traits, choose an obstacle/challenge that showcases that.
For example, ability to handle difficult customers is a common one in customer-facing roles. So the "challenge" may be how you've met customers like these in the past, and you de-escalated the situation.
For "environmentally friendly" aspect, maybe you have a family member who's sensitive to ____ harsh chemical formulations, or ____ scent, and you found _____ alternative. This ties in especially if the products are also what the company likes to support.
posted by tinydancer at 10:34 AM on April 3 [4 favorites]
For example, ability to handle difficult customers is a common one in customer-facing roles. So the "challenge" may be how you've met customers like these in the past, and you de-escalated the situation.
For "environmentally friendly" aspect, maybe you have a family member who's sensitive to ____ harsh chemical formulations, or ____ scent, and you found _____ alternative. This ties in especially if the products are also what the company likes to support.
posted by tinydancer at 10:34 AM on April 3 [4 favorites]
- a time you and a coworker disagreed about how to proceed with something and how you worked through that
- a time that you had too much work to do but you made a plan and executed it and got everything done as needed
- a time you dealt with a difficult customer or client and how you resolved the situation
- a time you were faced with an unexpected problem at work and how you came up with a plan of attack
posted by hepta at 10:34 AM on April 3 [2 favorites]
- a time that you had too much work to do but you made a plan and executed it and got everything done as needed
- a time you dealt with a difficult customer or client and how you resolved the situation
- a time you were faced with an unexpected problem at work and how you came up with a plan of attack
posted by hepta at 10:34 AM on April 3 [2 favorites]
A few friends and I once worked for a green cleaning company (admittedly over a decade ago, but I doubt it's changed that much). The key challenges that came up were:
-customer expectations were too high (no, we can't make your grimy apartment spotless if you just book 2hrs)
-customers often have idiosyncratic priorities when it comes to cleaning and don't always communicate these well.
-cleaners had to be somewhat flexible as to their schedules - those with seniority generally were booked with their regulars, but new cleaners had to deal with more one-off bookings.
So, I'd pick a recent example where you had to manage expectations, prioritize, be flexible, or individualize service. I also wouldn't overthink this - times might have changed, but there was a fair bit of churn with these jobs, and finding cleaners who were dependable and efficient was hard.
posted by coffeecat at 10:48 AM on April 3 [5 favorites]
-customer expectations were too high (no, we can't make your grimy apartment spotless if you just book 2hrs)
-customers often have idiosyncratic priorities when it comes to cleaning and don't always communicate these well.
-cleaners had to be somewhat flexible as to their schedules - those with seniority generally were booked with their regulars, but new cleaners had to deal with more one-off bookings.
So, I'd pick a recent example where you had to manage expectations, prioritize, be flexible, or individualize service. I also wouldn't overthink this - times might have changed, but there was a fair bit of churn with these jobs, and finding cleaners who were dependable and efficient was hard.
posted by coffeecat at 10:48 AM on April 3 [5 favorites]
You actually don't want an example of an obstacle. You want an example of something that MIGHT HAVE BEEN an obstacle to someone else, but was totally manageable for you because you are (calm under pressure/flexible/detail-oriented...whatever trait you think makes you most suited for this job). It was probably something you handled so easily you don't even think of it as a challenge,but you might know some co-workers or friends who would have found it a real stressor.
posted by Ausamor at 11:31 AM on April 3 [8 favorites]
posted by Ausamor at 11:31 AM on April 3 [8 favorites]
Don't get too caught up in worrying about something that's a major life challenge or obstacle. You want something that tells the company you have some professional skills and can handle some typical difficult situations that might come up. Those minor incidents in various jobs? Think of one you handled well. Write about that. (You could even come back here to get some help!)
posted by bluedaisy at 12:00 PM on April 3
posted by bluedaisy at 12:00 PM on April 3
They probably are mainly filtering for people who read the job listing more than for how amazing someone's specific obstacle is, so I'd try not to let this daunt you.
I'd describe a job or activity that was initially a bit overwhelming, but then you put together a checklist and built up habits needed to do the job efficiently without forgetting important tasks and soon began to do it smoothly without problems. I picked that because I think that is what might be useful in the role of a cleaner. But if they emphasized something else in their job posting (e.g., customer service, determination and resourcefulness to handle new situations, communication and being clear about the assignment) then you might go that way.
posted by slidell at 12:05 PM on April 3 [4 favorites]
I'd describe a job or activity that was initially a bit overwhelming, but then you put together a checklist and built up habits needed to do the job efficiently without forgetting important tasks and soon began to do it smoothly without problems. I picked that because I think that is what might be useful in the role of a cleaner. But if they emphasized something else in their job posting (e.g., customer service, determination and resourcefulness to handle new situations, communication and being clear about the assignment) then you might go that way.
posted by slidell at 12:05 PM on April 3 [4 favorites]
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posted by phunniemee at 10:31 AM on April 3 [8 favorites]