Cover Letters

I have always taught my students about the importance of the cover letter. I also emphasize that it should not be about you, rather it should focus on the recipient and prove that you know the nature and scope of the job. Then, at the end, you add how perfect you are as evidenced in the attached resumé and other support material.

Is it time to revise my thinking?  In The Atlantic, Stephen Lurie cites a recent poll showing that “90% of hiring contacts surveyed simply ignored every cover letter sent to them”:

[T]he cover letter is mostly a performance, and some companies are picking up on the act, particularly tech firms that can test specific employee skills. Google, it’s said, often prefers to see the coding already being done by individuals before reaching out to them—skipping the cover letter entirely. Some social media companies now require tweets as proof of competency, not long-form writing. [Companies] that do still require cover letters (in whatever sector), many have simply stopped looking at them. Jobs that don’t deal in formal letter writing—let’s say 95% of them—can find better surrogates elsewhere in samples of a candidate’s work. 

Whether it is a writing sample relevant to the industry, a Github repository or other specific tasks, employers and candidates would be better suited to another test. That’s a good sign for us all. Our government, corporations and non-profits will invariably be stronger when they get the best-matched talent available—not just those who’ve mastered an irrelevant art.

Harmony Arts Festival Call

The 22nd Harmony Arts Festival invites visual artists to submit high quality original artworks in any medium, maximum three pieces, for adjudication for a group exhibition during the 10-day festival. 2012 Harmony Arts Festival will run from August 3 to August 12, 2012. The waterfront festival site is a scenic 10-minute drive from downtown Vancouver.The annual festival turns the scenic Ambleside waterfront into an open-air celebration venue of the arts. Visitors enjoy street performances, art exhibitions, artist talks and demonstrations, theatre, concerts, the art market, family-oriented activities and unique culinary experiences. 

Complete application must be received by Tuesday, June 19. 2012. No late entries will be accepted. The non-refundable jury fee is $20 + HST per submitted piece. 2011 festival has attracted more than 100,000 visitors. adding to an established reputation as an iconic Lower Mainland summer attraction.  The Pacific Arbour Group Show last year sold over $14,000 worth of artworks.

EXHIBITION VENUES & DATES August 3 to August 12

·   West Vancouver Memorial Library Gallery at 1950 Marine Drive,         West Vancouver
·   The Silk Purse Gallery at 1570 Argyle Avenue on the waterfront of West Vancouver

JURY DATE AND LOCATION

Date:                   Sunday, June 24
Location :            Music Hall (Parking  Garage Level
                           West Vancouver Community Centre
                            2121 Marine Drive, West Vancouver.
Drop-off:             10 - 11 am
Pick-up:               4 - 5 pm

All work submitted for adjudication must be picked up between 4 to 5 pm.  Harmony Arts Festival staff, jurors or District Staff are not responsible for unclaimed work.

PUBLICITY AND MEDIA

Year after year, the Festival has enjoyed extensive media coverage including the Globe and Mail, the Province, Vancouver Sun, tourism websites, numerous community newspapers and television channels. August is West Vancouver's prime tourist season and the 2012 Festival marketing plan calls for an increased promotional campaign through print and social media channels to market the Festival as the North Shore premium summer destination. All Group Show exhibiting artworks will be marketed online through the festival website prior to the exhibition opening.

We have implemented a new streamlined application process this year.You can upload your bio, artist statement and submission details in one step. In addition, the jury fee payment will be processed through the District of West Vancouver Central Registration. Call 604-925-7270 and register for #825368. (open 8 am to 7 pm, 7 days a week). Visit http://harmonyarts.ca to review the term and conditions and to apply online. You can also contact Katherine Tong, Visual Arts Coordinator via email: ktong@westvancouver.ca or P: 604-218-6570.