Writing a cover letter is not an easy task, especially if you want to make it linger in the memory of the reviewer of your application. Adding humor in a cover letter serves as a life jacket to help one stand out from under the water of applications; however, one must strike a perfect balance. Well done-a dash of humor does show your personality, confidence, and makes the letter a nice read. But for job applications in the UK, the key is to keep things professional with an allowance for a light-hearted tone. In this article, we will be discussing how to write an interestingly humorous cover letter, what not to do, and using British humor effectively.
1. Know Your Audience
The first step toward writing a humorous cover letter is to know your audience. Not all companies or industries look upon humor in cover letters with grace. Understand the company’s culture and see whether they would appreciate a bit of humor or would prefer being conservative. While creative agencies and tech startups might get amused by a light-hearted tone, law firms and financial institutions will not.
Check out their website, their presence on social media, and even the reviews left by employees on places like Glassdoor to get an idea about their style. If they are pretty laid-back and take creativeness lightly, then a funny cover letter might be in order. If they sound more formal, it’s best not to deviate too much with humor and just be professional. .
2. Use a Catchy Opening
If you can open the letter with something nobody expects to hear, that will most definitely get them right from the very start. A comic and relevant opening line can set a tone for the rest of the application and make a memorable impression on your cover letter. Sometimes the worst thing you can use is a cliché-a generic statement like “I am writing to show interest in. “. Employing witty one-liners-keeping in mind the role applied for-is better.
For instance, it could be, “With the ability to juggle several projects at once and make a mean cup of tea, I think I’m the perfect fit for your project management role.”
This type of opener shows confidence and gives the hiring manager a reason to read on. It also shows that you aren’t afraid to be creative, and this is a skill that’s valuable to many roles.
3. Using British Humour Wisely
British humor usually sounds witty and ironic and subtle; it may be a charm added to your letter, but be utterly cautious not to overdo it. Humor in British culture is understatement and dryness; keep it subtle, not over-the-top. Of course, do put some humor in if you want, but again, the focus should be bringing out your best fit for the job.
Deprecating humor, for example, is fine in limited use. The flip side, however, is to avoid all humor that tends to make one seem less qualified for the job. A little self-awareness is fine, but you do want to remain confident and capable in your delivery.
Example: “While I may not be able to run a marathon, I can certainly keep up with the fast-paced demands of your marketing team.”
This type of humor identifies a small, insignificant weakness while showcasing a corresponding strength relevant to the job. It’s light-hearted but not diminishing of qualifications in any respect.
4. Inject Personality, But Keep It Professional
One of the biggest mistakes candidates make when attempting to inject some humor into their cover letters is they tend to either get too casual or unprofessional. The trick is in finding a balance between being personable and keeping professional. Even with the use of light-heartedness, your respect for the position and the company must still be conveyed in your cover letter.
Use the same type of formal language that you would in a meeting or business report. Avoid very casual language, slang, and anything that is humorous, as what one person finds funny, another might find off-putting. You are safer using puns, irony, or wordplay humor than with jokes that poke at sensitive issues. This is a business document, so maintain appropriate polish without offending someone.
Example: “I heard your company runs on caffeine, so I am fully prepared to bring my great coffee-making skills along with my experience in project management.”
This type of humor works because it’s relevant to many office environments and likely to be relatable for the reader. It also points to a relevant skill in a light-hearted way.
5. What to Avoid
When using humor in your cover letter, here are a few things you should avoid:
Sarcasm: Sarcasm is one of those easily misunderstood elements, particularly because it’s written. It is best to keep this out of a cover letter. What seems amusing for you may sound dismissive or rude.
Overused jokes: Try to avoid jokes that sound like common ones or apply too well to just about anyone. This humor in your cover letter should feel personal and tailored for the role and the company.
Inappropriate Humor: Clearly, it is best to avoid humor that may involve sensitive subjects, such as politics, religion, and personal attributes. You want the hiring manager to remember you for all the right reasons, not to be out of their comfort zone.
Too Much Humor: A little humor can go a long way, but too much may be off-putting. Focus more on your skills and experiences, adding humor in bits.
6. Be Relevant
Make sure that your humor is related to the job for which you are applying. A cover letter is not the place for a few random jokes or going on some tangent. Instead, use humor to reinforce your qualifications and to show why you are a great fit for the position. You might make light of one of your relevant skills you have or use a laughable moment to point out one of your strong points. Whatever you do, make sure it circles back to the role at hand.
For example, if you are applying to a company for the position of social media manager, you may include in your bio how good you are at catching posts and relate it to the company brand.
Example: “I’ve spent more time crafting the perfect Instagram captions than I’d care to admit, so I know I’m ready to take on the role of Social Media Manager for [Company Name].”
This shows excitement about the position and knowledge of the required competencies, with added humor.
7. Add a Dash of Humor in Your Closing
With a catchy opening and relevant content throughout your letter, why not go out on a high note? Light-hearted closure can give a positive note to the hiring manager.
For instance, “I’d love to bring my passion for [industry] to your team. I’m sure I will be worth it, and if needed, I promise to keep the office well-stocked with biscuits!”
Cover Letter Examples
If you are not sure how to incorporate humor effectively, reading through some cover letter examples with a humorous tone may be a good way to get started. Examples give you an idea of how other applicants used humor effectively, thus providing some inspiration regarding your own approach.
8. Proofread for Professionalism
Even if you employ humor, which is light in nature, you should show extreme caution in proofreading your letter of application. Make sure that it remains free from spelling and grammatical errors, and also double-check that the instances of your humor come off as intended. You will read your letter of application aloud or have a friend review it further to ensure that in contextual setting the jokes will come off as intended.
Conclusion
Adding a dash of humor to your cover letter will be an excellent way to expose the employer to your personality and help you outshine others in such a saturated job market. British humour can be very effective, being filled as it is with wit and subtlety. Keep in mind that your covering letter should be one that introduces yourself in a manner that creates a positive impression yet brings out your qualifications for the position. Just remember to know your audience, keep the tone professional, and make sure it’s relevant. This way, a funny, effective cover letter can be created.
Most importantly, your cover letter should convey interest in the position and fitness for the role. A pinch of humor perhaps may serve to make it memorable, but let your core message be clear, professional, and appealing.