Creative Careers: Cover Letter Tips for Art Administrators
Writing a stellar cover letter is one way to creatively present yourself and grab a potential employer’s attention.
Art administrator positions can attract a high volume of applicants. Opportunities at institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art or The Public Theater are in high demand on NYFA Classifieds. Writing a stellar cover letter is one way to creatively present yourself and grab a potential employer’s attention. It’s important to craft your message in a unique way that highlights your professional achievements and relevant experience. Despite the intense competition, the right cover letter can get noticed! Use these seven tips to deliver an outstanding first impression.
1.) Use a checklist
As you prepare to write your cover letter, answer the following questions:
- What motivated you to apply for the position?
- What makes your personality and artistic background an asset to the organization?
- In what way could you contribute to the organization’s goals and culture?
2.) New application? New cover letter
Every position you apply for is unique and quite often very competitive. Craft your message in a way that makes you stand out. Discuss why you’re interested in the organization, how the position can potentially grow your career and why you’d be a great asset to the team. Do your research in advance; applicants who have a strong understanding of organizational goals are more likely to get interviewed.
3.) Sell Yourself
Use your cover letter to display your skills and overall confidence. Demonstrate that you fully understand the job description and how your experience is relevant to the position. When writing your cover letter, make note of transferable skills, along with distinct work examples. When looking for a job in the arts, showing a little personality is also encouraged. Let your personal interests and enthusiasm come through in your correspondence.
4.) Showcase your Talent
Hiring managers are always looking for candidates who want to expand their skill set and contribute to the growth of an organization. When writing your cover letter, clearly express how your background can strengthen the company. Cater your message to your potential employer and highlight specific examples of how you intend to help them meet their objectives.
5.) Be Genuine
Use your cover letter to reflect your creative passions, personality and accomplishments. Organizations want to invest in high performers who have a vision for themselves. Identify how you can positively impact the culture within the company. For example, do you volunteer or have outside passion projects? Share engaging and relevant examples that show you’re a well-rounded, community oriented applicant.
6.) Capture their Attention
Your opening paragraph should immediately capture the reader’s attention and convey why you’re the perfect candidate. Why would this be an exciting and rewarding experience? Be clear about your qualifications and what you find appealing about the job. Choose an achievement, a skill or a project that you believe will catch the hiring manager’s attention professionally.
7.) Proofread
Make sure you proofread your cover letter! Review your spelling, grammar and punctuation. As you apply to various positions, be mindful that you have the correct position title and organization name in your message. Make a habit of labeling your resume with your full name and the specific job title. Avoid careless mistakes. Hiring managers are reviewing tons of applications, you want them to remember your name, not glaring errors.
When searching for opportunities, avoid sending generic cover letters, instead look for ways to display your work experience and creativity. Employers want to know how they will benefit from your contribution. Use the cover letter to emphasize accomplishments and demonstrate your tremendous value.
Visit NYFA Classifieds to view the latest creative opportunities.
– Glory Edim, Program Associate, Online Resources
Image: Angela Gualdoni (Fellow in Painting ‘15)
