Quintessential Careers Press:
The Quintessential Guide to Storytelling that Propels Careers
Chapter 6: Cover Letters That Tell a Story
Page 69
I have proven my ability to attract and keep customers through the excellent feedback and comments
I’ve received from guests, many of whom have come back and requested me as their server. I’ve also
demonstrated my ability to up-sell by producing total meal sales 15 percent higher than 80 percent
of servers and increasing my sales by 20 percent in the past three months. I also won an award for
highest beverage sales for a server.
While at Winona State University, I completed numerous programming projects and sharpened my leadership
and interpersonal skills. I demonstrated these skills by organizing the 2005 Annual Programmers Dinner,
which nearly 300 people attended.
Stories that reveal your personality. These are stories that inspire the employer to want to get
to know you better and thus call you in for an interview. They could demonstrate your sense of humor,
your work ethic, your compassion, or simply your humanness. They paint a meaningful picture of who you are:
I am a builder. I don’t mean with hammer and nails, although I enjoy that kind of building, too.
At my last employer, I built three organizations that filled specific niches within the parent company.
I defined the departments’ roles, hired and trained more than 300 team members, and then built the capability.
I found it equally rewarding to improve those organizations by adding systems and processes so the teams were
recognized for their contribution. I applied my creativity, leadership and ability to navigate complex and
abstract problems.
I admit it. I’m a psychology geek. I have always had an interest in where our behaviors, thoughts,
and personalities come from. Since I can remember, I would be in the library sifting through the philosophy
and psychology shelves. I am an enthusiastic learner and problem solver. I am patient and compassionate and
tend to make others feel at ease. I don’t judge people based on their successes; rather, I see trials and
past experiences as an opportunity for growth and empathy.
