worst cover letter ever.

September 11, 2014

devan This morning I woke up at 5 am to nurse Faye. As has become habit for me, I drowsily scanned my phone in the halflight and spotted a note from my not-so-little-anymore little sister, Devan. It was a draft of a cover letter that she wanted me and my two other sisters to read before she sent it off. This is the kind of thing that sisters do best.

The only trouble is, it was the worst cover letter ever. Mostly because it demonstrated that Devan should not, indeed, be applying for administrative jobs at small non-profits.

She should be writing. Not writing and folding flyers and brewing coffee. Just writing.

I told her to start a blog instead. To write every day. To bleed out onto those pages because for some people writing isn’t a matter of choice, it’s a matter of necessity.

Here is Devan’s blog. Her terrible cover letter is the first entry.

Writers don’t need readers, but they sure do help. And I think you guys are going to love this.

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28 Comments

  • Reply Ashley September 11, 2014 at 4:59 pm

    exactly what siblings are for!

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  • Reply Sweet Love and Ginger September 11, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    What a good older sister you are.

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  • Reply Linda Zimmerman September 11, 2014 at 5:22 pm

    Question: Did you all get the writing gene????

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    • Reply Fey September 11, 2014 at 5:46 pm

      I was going to ask the same thing!

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    • Reply Diana September 11, 2014 at 6:48 pm

      True story!

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    • Reply Erin September 11, 2014 at 7:05 pm

      ha!

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  • Reply catie September 11, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    loved it!

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  • Reply Katy DeBardelaben September 11, 2014 at 5:31 pm

    "Worst Cover Letter Ever"? "Best Big Sister Ever" should really be the title of this post. So sweet. <3

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  • Reply Rachael September 11, 2014 at 5:34 pm

    This is perfect!!

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  • Reply Julia (Color Me Green) September 11, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    but she also made herself sound really good at that administrative job and like she enjoys that kind of work!

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    • Reply Erin September 11, 2014 at 7:04 pm

      therein lies the brilliance!

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  • Reply Jacquelyn | lark & linen September 11, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    Yes! I'm SO on the hunt for more blogs like yours. Your sister can already consider me her new number one fan!

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    • Reply Ashley September 11, 2014 at 10:49 pm

      I couldn't have said it better myself!

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  • Reply Anonymous September 11, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    Sigh-I always wished I had a sister (or 2, or 3!)…

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  • Reply kari September 11, 2014 at 7:34 pm

    You are a sweet sister–and she does sound like a good writer. I admire your encouragement of her talents and future.

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  • Reply Paige September 11, 2014 at 9:05 pm

    I am a career counselor and I LOVED that letter. I want to share it with the world!

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  • Reply Melissa Allam September 12, 2014 at 12:25 am

    The Best! You are a good big sister!

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  • Reply My Little Bungalow September 12, 2014 at 12:47 am

    Holy cow, that's awesome writing. I'd maybe suggest leaving out the "shitshow" reference, otherwise it's one hell of a cover letter. A blog is definitely the "write" idea for her.
    Claudia

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  • Reply celestecorrine September 12, 2014 at 1:10 am

    um i used to work with your sister. i am entirely impressed, and also entirely amazed by how small the world really is.

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  • Reply Sophia September 12, 2014 at 12:45 pm

    I love this, and I so want to know more, like how to start a blog and actually make a "living" doing the thing you love. When I read this, my first thought was, Man, I wish a had a big sister who would tell me to do this. Which must be telling somehow….Anyway, off to check our your sister's blog now!

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    • Reply Erin September 12, 2014 at 12:46 pm

      I'll be your surrogate big sister: GO DO IT! The most, the most, the most important thing is just to begin. Courage!

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    • Reply Sophia September 12, 2014 at 7:17 pm

      You are the best, Erin. Feeling more courageous already.

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  • Reply Anonymous September 12, 2014 at 2:34 pm

    Excellent! Like something Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls) would have written!

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  • Reply Jessica Brown September 12, 2014 at 5:23 pm

    Awesome! Can't wait for her next entry.

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  • Reply Katie Bedlow September 12, 2014 at 6:56 pm

    Perfection!!

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  • Reply Anonymous September 12, 2014 at 7:04 pm

    Amen! Dont' don't don't get stuck in the comfy admin trap! Now to check out that blog…

    Theresa

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  • Reply Mrs. White September 12, 2014 at 8:05 pm

    I recognized her immediately from [redacted] gym downtown. Asheville is tough, tough, tough. Hang in there, girly (I've survived it now for many years and you will, too!)

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  • Reply Tannya Aditya September 16, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    "because for some people writing isn't a matter of choice, it's a matter of necessity." my reason to blog afterall. hopping to your sis' blog now! xx

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