How can you demonstrate your passion for the industry in a cover letter for an entry-level role?

I personally would spend more time updating your LinkedIn and tailoring a resume to match the role you're seeking. I recognize some online applications might require a Cover letter but I find the resume and online profile speak for itself. Its sort of like a Thank you note, the act of doing one is fine but it you write to much your increasing the odds it might actually hurt your efforts vs. help them. Just my thoughts.

Explain why you're interested in the role, how it fits into your career goals, and what you hope to contribute to the company.

Find a story to share. Think along the lines of an impactful moment in your career or life. A great story lives at the friction between perspective and reality. A story I often share as a keynote speaker is about my first gig as a data scientist consultant. I delivered exactly what my client asked for. So what’s the friction? It isn’t what he wanted. This provides a great pivot to lessons learned!

Show you know the business. You don't want to spend too much time on a cover letter here, but find an elevator pitch style line that encompasses the knowledge you can bring to the table in this role!

By demonstrating that you know that company you’re applying for, but steering clear of just stating general facts about them, it shows willingness to contribute to their success.

Some methods I use to do this: XXX Online - Website, LinkedIn, TikTok etc. Basic Web / Ai Searches - "XXX News", "XXX Competition" and "YYY Industry News) XXX Company Annual Report Competitor Company Annual Reports Analyst Reports e.g. Gartner Magic Quadrant / Forrester Wave etc (if they exist)

Demonstrating your knowledge and relevant experience will support your application when writing a cover letter at the early stage of your career. Be bold and emphasise your enthusiasm for this area.

Succinctly give your relevant experience and how it will make you a stellar candidate for the role you've applied. Make sure to review the job ad/description to call out key words that the organization is looking for!

Linked to Points 1 and 2 above - You 'will' have some relevant experience, even if you don't know it ;) Without over committing / over-selling, relate and tailor that experience (1) to a potential situation in their market using language that resonates and 'lands' from your research insights (2).

Highlighting your successes during your time in education, relating to the role you’re applying for, shows to me that you took the education seriously and are committed to excelling in your future job.

This is huge! Most entry level roles are trainable… which means “WHAT” you know matters less, “WHO” you know matters more. Strategic networking…aka… finding common interests… aka…MAKING FRIENDS… goes a long way. Not only should you learn something but if you are authentic about it, you will be surprised who is willing to be your champion in the rooms you are not physically in… YET!

Don't just talk about your industry – be a part of it! Whether it's attending conferences, engaging with thought leaders on social media, or joining professional groups, immersing yourself in your field shows genuine interest and dedication. Sharing what you've learned and how it's shaped your career path reinforces your commitment to growth and success. THIS ONE IS HUGE FOR ANY STAGE IN YOUR CAREER. It's not just about what you know; it's about who you know and how you continue to learn and evolve.

Read the organization's values and mission, and align your speaking voice and personal quality call out to those things! The values guide the mission and they want to find someone who is aligned with those in order to make the work happen!

Beyond your experience, showcase the personal qualities that make you a natural fit for your desired industry. Does the industry value innovation? Highlight your creativity and knack for out-of-the-box thinking. Is teamwork paramount? Share examples of your collaborative spirit and ability to thrive in a team environment. By aligning your personal strengths with the industry's values, you'll demonstrate that you're not just qualified, but also a perfect cultural fit.

Cover letters aren't effective. They rarely get read. And they only 'tell' the hiring team why you think you're a fit for the position. It's much more effective to 'show' them. You can 'show' proof of your skills and experience by developing a portfolio showcasing past projects and deliverables that are relevant to the role you're targeting. Include things like a sample presentation or a demo video recording. It could be something you’ve created in previous jobs, or you could create it new. When you arm yourself with proof assets beyond a resume or cover letter, you give hiring managers confidence in your ability to do the job.

It's just not what you put on your cover letter. It's also about what you do outside: - Dive into courses and certifications. Stay relevant. - Hit up events and connect online. Your next opportunity could be a conversation away. - Keep posting on platforms like LinkedIn and GitHub. Share your projects and insights on LinkedIn, your portfolio etc. - Eye those volunteer roles or even unpaid internships to begin with. Every big journey begins with small steps. Do projects that are of value. Say no to the Titanic dataset and yes to real-world data for your projects. Flaunt it in your portfolio. Show what you're passionate about! - Book informational interviews, and chat with industry peeps. Learn from their journeys.

I’ll never pass by answering a question on a cover letter without mentioning how much I dislike them. I’ve only sent cover letters if required! Since it’s hard to avoid all together one here’s some tips for entry level applicants: -tailor your story to have a narrative, have a general template then gear it towards the role and company you are applying to -if you don’t have much work experience you can highlight educational experience, trainings and any professional endeavors -ask someone like a job counselor or academic counselor to proof read your general cover letter before sending Be authentic, tie in relevance what research you’ve done! Ps. My first job I landed required a cover letter! It could pay off

Keep the cover letter succinct, and don't overdo the examples. Remember, you want to give them just a taste of who you are so that you get a foot in the door; don't reveal everything too quickly. In terms of showing your passion for an industry, personal story telling, as noted above, is the way to go. Perhaps you're applying on a role with a cleantech company, and you're someone who loves nature, the outdoors, etc. and you've seen the devastation caused by climate change. Perhaps you're applying on a job with an org that is looking to improve access to healthcare, and you can draw on a story from you or family/friends who have challenges accessing good healthcare because of xyz.

Right off the bat, speak about your excitement, current knowledge and willingness to learn within the industry. Being entry-level doesn’t mean you have to entertain entry- level thoughts or belittle thoughts of your own. 🤍🤍 You were picked you were chosen for a reason