Q. Are cover letters still appropriate when you're sending updated clips to an editor you've talked to in the past -- whether an old internship editor or just a contact you met at a convention years before?
Is it better to send a handwritten note and just give a short update on your progress and what you are looking for? Or is a formal cover letter still the way to go?
EmmaA. No, a formal cover letter is not needed at every contact point. If we did that, we would soon run out of things to say.
If you are just staying in touch (good for you), a short handwritten note is sufficient. Every piece of communication has the potential to reinforce or change your reputation, so you want to stay professional, but you do not need to be formal every time.
Given that you are extending or strengthening a relationship and not trying to start one, an e-mail check-in note is fine, too. Send an e-mail with a link to that great story you just did. The hiring manager can easily click on the link and see it.
What about cover letters, resumes and portfolios? E-mail your question to
joe.grimm@gmail.com.
Coming Friday: He is covering sports for a community publication, but his dream is to become a food writer. Would grad school help with that?
