The Musician’s Cover Letter Handbook - Abridged Version for DePaul University School of Music - Updated Nov-11

Sep 13, 2026

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Abridged guidance for musicians on writing effective cover letters for music-related job searches. The handbook explains what a cover letter is and what it must accomplish: introduce the applicant, connect experience and qualifications to a specific role, support full disclosure where relevant, and demonstrate writing, organization, and professional demeanor. It emphasizes tailoring for each job and highlights key characteristics of successful letters, then counters seven common myths about cover letter strategy.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

What a Cover Letter Is and Is Not

Seven Classic Cover Letter Myths

Myth #1: Same letter for every job

Myth #2: Résumé is more important

Myth #3: Only write about your own experience

Myth #4: Explain everything on your résumé

Myth #5: Employers won’t read past one page

The Musician’s Cover Letter Handbook Abridged version for DePaul University School of Music SCOTT STEVENS ROBERT BORDEN Office of Careers and Professional Development Institute for Music Leadership at the Eastman School of Music 26 Gibbs Street Rochester, NY 14604 Ph. (585) 274-1210 Fax (585) 274-1047 Office Location: 1st Floor Miller Center, 25 Gibbs St. [careers@esm.rochester.edu](careers@esm.rochester.edu) [www.esm.rochester.edu/careers](www.esm.rochester.edu/careers) updated Nov-11 © 2011 Office of Careers and Professional Development at the Eastman School of Music *This document may not be copied or distributed without written permission. WHAT A COVER LETTER ISAND ISNOT Mention "cover letter" to several people and you will find each person has a different opinion of what a cover letter is. A cover sheet for your résumé or an explanation of everything in your résumé are two likely answers. So what is a cover letter? And what is it supposed to do? Simply put, a cover letter is a 1-2 page document usually sent with your résumé or CV to a prospective employer. The primary purpose of a cover letter is to introduce yourself as a person, and highlight information that you feel is relevant to the position for which you are applying. Your main goal is to explain specifically why you are applying, and how your experience and qualifications make you ideally suited for the job. The cover letter does other things as well: it demonstrates your writing and organizational skills, and it speaks volumes about your work habits and professional demeanor. A good candidate may not always have a good letter, but a good letter almost always represents an excellent candidate. The cover letter is also the place for full disclosure of all information that is relevant to hiring you particularly. For example, if you are applying to start a position before you are completed all your degree requirements, this needs to be explained in detail here. This would not necessarily disqualify you for a job, but it does show that you are thinking of the employer’s concerns and that you have a plan for completing your degree in a timely manner. Or, if you are leaving one job where you seem to be fairly well-established for one that would bring you in at a lower level, you would want to explain why you are considering such a move. Otherwise, the lack of explanation might make you a―riskyǁ‖ candidate to interview, and leave you at the bottom of the pile. Sometimes the terminology surrounding cover letters can be confusing. Some job listings do not mention a cover letter while some call for a letter of application or a letter of introduction. This is not as confusing as it sounds. These different names have come to mean virtually the same thing, though there are slight variations. For all practical purposes, a cover letter and a letter of application are exactly the same and are what we refer to by the general term cover letter. Regardless of the name of the letter you are writing, the purpose is this: to win you an interview and, ultimately, a job offer. Therefore, the features of any successful letter---concreteness, directness, economy, and active language---will be more alike than different. A cover letter is not simply a formality. It is the employer’s first impression of you, and it is often the deciding factor between getting an interview or receiving a form letter rejection. Of course, your experience and expertise are by far the most important assets you bring to a job search, but any number of qualified candidates is likely to be applying for each job. Your ability to make yourself stand out among a talented group will win you the job you desire. SEVEN CLASSIC COVER LETTER MYTHS Every facet ofthe job search, from résumé writing to interviewing, comes with a basic set of conventions. Unfortunately, misconceptions are more widespread than these rules of the game. Below are seven common myths about cover letters. Like

FAQs

What is the primary purpose of a cover letter?

To introduce the applicant and clearly explain why they are applying, showing how their experience and qualifications fit the position.

Why should a cover letter be tailored to each job?

Because job requirements differ; tailoring improves chances for an interview by aligning the letter to what the specific employer needs.

What are common myths about cover letters?

The handbook addresses seven myths, including using the same letter for every job, assuming the résumé is more important, and believing employers won’t read letters longer than one page.

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Xiajie