Crafting a sign language interpreter cover letter can be a puzzling step on your path to landing the job you want. You’ve updated your resume, and now the application insists on a cover letter that stands out without echoing your resume. Focus on illuminating your proudest professional moment, weaving a narrative that captivates rather than clings to clichés. Remember, brevity is key—aim for a single page that formally showcases your unique qualifications. Let's dive into how to craft a cover letter that speaks volumes.
- Personalize the greeting to address the recruiter and your introduction that fits the role;
- Follow good examples for individual roles and industries from job-winning cover letters;
- Decide on your most noteworthy achievement to stand out;
- Format, download, and submit your sign language interpreter cover letter, following the best HR practices.
Use the power of Enhancv's AI: drag and drop your sign language interpreter resume, which will swiftly be converted into your job-winning cover letter.
If the sign language interpreter isn't exactly the one you're looking for we have a plethora of cover letter examples for jobs like this one:
- Sign Language Interpreter resume guide and example
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- Interpreter cover letter example
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Sign language interpreter cover letter example
Carla Jensen
California, US
+1-(234)-555-1234
help@enhancv.com
- Illustrating direct experience that aligns with the company's core values and mission demonstrates to the hiring manager an understanding of and commitment to the company's objectives, particularly in terms of inclusivity for the Deaf and hearing communities.
- Quantifying achievements, such as leading a team to a 30% increase in efficiency during a large-scale event, provides concrete evidence of the candidate’s impact and skill level as a Sign Language Interpreter, which helps to set the candidate apart from others.
- Expressing eagerness to discuss how one's background, skills, and certifications can contribute to the success of the organization shows initiative and a forward-thinking mindset, which are attractive attributes to potential employers.
- Highlighting experience with cultural sensitivity and accurate interpretation underlines their specialized skills in communication that are crucial for a Sign Language Interpreter, suggesting their potential to enhance the organization's service quality.
Designing your sign language interpreter cover letter: what is the best format
Let's start with the basics, your sign language interpreter cover letter should include your:
- Header
- Greeting
- Introduction
- Body paragraph
- Closing statement
- Signature (that's not a must)
Next, we'll move to the spacing of your sign language interpreter cover letter, and yes, it should be single-spaced (automatically formatted for you in our cover letter templates).
Don't go for a old-school font (e.g. Arial or Times New Roman), but instead, pick an ATS-favorite like Chivo, Volkhov, or Raleway, to stand out.
Our cover letter builder is also set up for you with the standard one-inch margin, all around the text.
Finally, ensure your sign language interpreter resume and cover letter are in the same font and are submitted in PDF (to keep the formatting in place).
P.S. The Applicant Tracker System (or ATS) won't be assessing your [job] cover letter, it's solely for the recruiters' eyes.
The top sections on a sign language interpreter cover letter
- Header: Include your name, contact information, and the date, establishing your professional identity and making it easy for the recruiter to reach out to you for further discussion regarding the sign language interpreting position.
- Greeting: Address the cover letter to a specific person, if possible, to personalize your application and show that you have done your research about the organization or school requiring sign language interpretation services.
- Introduction: Briefly articulate your passion for sign language interpreting, your commitment to facilitating communication, and any relevant certifications such as RID (Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf) or NIC (National Interpreter Certification) you hold, grabbing the recruiter's attention right away.
- Body: Detail your previous experience in sign language interpreting, emphasizing situations where you’ve provided accurate and sensitive interpretation for diverse populations or various settings, such as educational environments, healthcare facilities, or public events, which demonstrates your versatility and skill.
- Closing: Conclude with a strong closing statement that reiterates your enthusiasm for the role, an invitation for further discussion, and a thank you to the recruiter for considering your application, leaving a professional and courteous final impression.
Key qualities recruiters search for in a candidate’s cover letter
Proficiency in a recognized sign language: It's vital for an interpreter to be highly skilled in the sign language required for the job, be it American Sign Language (ASL), British Sign Language (BSL), or another. This demonstrates the ability to accurately convey spoken language to sign language and vice versa.
Experience in various interpreting settings: Recruiters look for interpreters who have worked in diverse environments such as educational settings, medical, legal, or community interpreting, showing that they can adapt to different contexts and terminologies.
Sensitivity to cultural nuances: An understanding of the cultural differences within deaf communities ensures respectful and appropriate interpretation, which is key to effective communication.
Certification from recognized interpreting programs: Holding certifications from reputable bodies like the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) illustrates a recognized level of professionalism and competence.
Continuous professional development: Recruiters value candidates who engage in ongoing learning to keep up with sign language interpreting best practices, standards, and technologies.
Strong ethical grounding: Awareness of and adherence to the Code of Professional Conduct for interpreters ensures confidentiality, impartiality, and integrity in all assignments, which is crucial in maintaining trust in the interpreter's role.
Personalizing your sign language interpreter cover letter salutation
Always aim to address the recruiter from the get-go of your sign language interpreter cover letter.
Use:
- the friendly tone (e.g. "Dear Paul" or "Dear Caroline") - if you've previously chatted up with them on social media and are on a first-name basis;
- the formal tone (e.g. "Dear Ms. Gibbs" or "Dear Ms. Swift") - if you haven't had any previous conversation with them and have discovered the name of the recruiter on LinkedIn or the company website;
- the polite tone (e.g. "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear HR Team") - at all costs aim to avoid the "To whom it may concern" or "Dear Sir/Madam", as both greetings are very old-school and vague.
List of salutations you can use
- Dear Hiring Manager,
- Dear [Company Name] Team,
- Dear [Department Name] Team,
- Dear [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
- Good Day [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
- Respected [Mr./Ms./Dr.] [Last Name],
Your sign language interpreter cover letter intro: showing your interest in the role
On to the actual content of your sign language interpreter cover letter and the introductory paragraph.
The intro should be no more than two sentences long and presents you in the best light possible.
Use your sign language interpreter cover letter introduction to prove exactly what interests you in the role or organization. Is it the:
- Company culture;
- Growth opportunities;
- Projects and awards the team worked on/won in the past year;
- Specific technologies the department uses.
When writing your sign language interpreter cover letter intro, be precise and sound enthusiastic about the role.
Your introduction should hint to recruiters that you're excited about the opportunity and that you possess an array of soft skills, e.g. motivation, determination, work ethic, etc.
What comes next: your sign language interpreter cover letter middle paragraphs
In the next three to six paragraphs (or the body of your sign language interpreter cover letter) you have to prove your unique value.
Most candidates tend to mess up at this stage. They tend to just copy-paste information from their resume.
That's one big no-no.
Remember that when writing your sign language interpreter cover letter, it has to be personalized. And, your ultimate aim is to catch the recruiter's eye.
So, look back on key job requirements and write down a list that includes the ones you cover.
Next, select just one key achievement from your professional (or personal) history that meets those advert keywords.
Narrate a story around how you've grown your skill set and knowledge. Also, aim to show the unique understanding or soft skills you bring about, thanks to your past success.
Ending your sign language interpreter cover letter to avoid "sincerely yours"
Yes, this sort of closing statement may work best before your signature.
But you want to give recruiters something more with your sign language interpreter cover letter ending.
Some professionals choose to go down the path of promises. In a single sentence, they map out what they'd bring about to the role (whether that's a particular technical skill set or personal traits).
Others, decide to be more concrete by thanking recruiters for their time and prompting for their next interview.
Whatever path you choose, remember to always be polite and respectful of the opportunity you've had. Good manners go a long way.
Lacking experience: here's how to write your sign language interpreter cover letter
As a candidate with no experience, it's important to be honest from the get-go of your application.
Use your sign language interpreter cover letter to sell your unique talents. Choose an accomplishment from your academic background or your volunteer work to show the skills that are relevant to the role.
Focus on your career objectives and how you see the job to align with them. Be specific and, at the same time, realistic about where you picture yourself in five years.
Key takeaways
Writing your sign language interpreter cover letter doesn't need to turn into an endless quest, but instead:
- Create an individual sign language interpreter cover letter for each role you apply to, based on job criteria (use our builder to transform your resume into a cover letter, which you could edit to match the job);
- Stick with the same font you've used in your resume (e.g. Raleway) and ensure your sign language interpreter cover letter is single-spaced and has a one-inch margin all around;
- Introduce your enthusiasm for the role or the company at the beginning of your sign language interpreter cover letter to make a good first impression;
- Align what matters most to the company by selecting just one achievement from your experience, that has taught you valuable skills and knowledge for the job;
- End your sign language interpreter cover letter like any good story - with a promise for greatness or follow-up for an interview.
