We all know that a picture worth a thousand words. Visualization is even a branch of science. Since the job I intend to work is in quantitative analysis, I think adding visualizations in my cover letter is completely suitable. In my recommendation letter, it also mentions that I'm very enthusiastic in making information easy to swallow.
However, after drawing them, I think that they are more artistic than problem solving. Part of this is because in a cover letter, you don't really solve any problem. The only problem it's trying to solve is how to introduce myself best. To be the best, you need creativity. And I think bringing creativity to my drawing is a perfect choice. This is why I think my drawing is more artistic.
For example, when talking about how relevant the field I study and the skills the job require, I use this Venn diagram:
But when I say that I can use Python to code, it's no longer problem - solving:
And when I say that I have the ability to teach myself with the help of Google and other resources, the relevance of the drawing is even less:
I'm afraid that I will send the wrong message. Of course I know that creativity needs to be childish (open mind), but I also want to reduce any bad impression.
Some notes:
- When I say "grammar is not a big stuff", I didn't mean that I didn't care at grammar at all. In fact, I am quite a grammar nazi, and I read a lot of linguistics articles. Right after asking this question, I immediate ask What is the adjective for “problem solving”? in ELL SE. Because English is not my mother tongue, I can make some mistakes. What I mean is the recruiters are also like me, so they may not notice the errors I make, and if they do, they may sympathize for that.
I have this idea after reading the book The Back of The Napkin of Dan Roam. Some main ides of the book:
- Solving problems and selling ideas with pictures. Isn't cover letter a place for you to sell yourself?
- The hand is mightier than the mouse. The rusticness and simplicity of the drawing makes it dear to the readers, and they will react more positive. If this is about presenting real data, I agree that the visualization should be professional with proper programs. But since the cover letter doesn't present any data, only ideas, so I think it is better to draw by hand.
Hat tip ff524 for linking this article: Informal Tone Of Cover Letter Sets Job Applicant Apart From Seriously Considered Candidates. However I think I have a different method to catch the eyes. He uses informal tone, while I use creativity (shows by adding the drawings) and keeping the formal tone.
I have asked a similar question in Writer. The answers there are thoughtful either. Should I put diagrams into a formal essay?