Day: August 2, 2025

On the first slide, I put my name at the center, with the company I was applying to as the subhead.

I followed the first slide with a slide dedicated to a quote I love.

On the third slide, I spoke directly about how I matched the role’s responsibilities, requirements, and skills. For others, this might look like highlighting their experience using a certain technology or showcasing a certain skill using metrics.

Here, I highlighted the unique qualities that made me stand out in previous roles, such as being “client-focused” or an “eager learner.”

This is where I highlighted my biggest achievements. I like to think about it as a space to write about any time you saved time or earned money for a company.

This is where I spoke to my alignment with the company’s core values, which I typically found on the company’s career page or LinkedIn. I would also include a photo that was niche to the company, like its headquarters or a nice setup it had at a convention.

For this, I removed the background, wrapped the text around it, and made it look as integrated into the deck as possible. It’s a bit extra, but I’ve gotten some great feedback on that last slide.

The final slide is a simple “thank you.”

The only downside to making decks is that they will take more time to make than a traditional cover letter, but I still think it’s worth it. The job market is competitive, so what someone else won’t do is what others should capitalize on.

If you took a unique approach to your job search and would like to share your story, email the editor, Manseen Logan, at mlogan@businessinsider.com.