humorous funny cover letter

11 Extremely Funny Cover Letters That People Actually Sent

There was once a time when bagging the job of your dreams entailed writing a short and simple cover letter that convinced the recruiter that you are insanely talented. These guys have skipped the talented element and just gone straight for the insane.

It will soon be that time of year again, when a deluge of enthusiastic graduates morph into desperate job seekers who are clambering to secure the job they have (literally) been dreaming of through countless two-hour-long lectures.

The majority of them will probably fall at the first hurdle. Not because their education sucks, but because they’re competing with every other Joe Monkey who has a college-level education and a resume that stresses their fantastic communication skills (read more: what not to write on a resume ). To get ahead of the pack, you have to distinguish yourself with your cover letter. But before you sit down and pen the perfect introduction to your sparkling resume, you’re going to have to do your research. To give you a helping hand, we’ve dug out some examples of funny cover letters that will most certainly give you some food for thought.

Here’s the thing. We’d actually hire some of these people. I mean, who can turn down a potential candidate whose cover letter divulges that she once donated her hair to charity? Or a guy who fights bears for a hobby? These are gems!

BTW: If you’re applying for hundreds of jobs but getting nowhere, our expert cover letter editing services can help you to finally put the rejection behind you.

If you’re currently working on your cover letter and are looking for some simple tips on how to write a killer introduction to your resume, take a look at our guide fantastic cover letter formula .

2 thoughts on “11 Extremely Funny Cover Letters That People Actually Sent”

• Pingback: What Not to Write on a Resume: 8 Statements You Should Avoid - Online Editing and Proofreading Services. Affordable Editors and Proofreaders.
• Pingback: Cover Letter Formula That Gets Results Every Time

Comments are closed.

• Meet some GOLDies
• Write for Us
• Join the club
• Digital Production Teams

How to write a (funny) cover letter

Let your humor shine through so they meet the real you.

I freaking love Glossier. I love it so much, I’ve brought every single one of my friends who visits NYC to their store, and I’m pretty sure a lot of the people working there know who I am by name. Plus, my friends always ask me about my favorite products and recommendations. I own every single flavor of their Balm Dotcom, use multiple Glossier products multiple times a day, and feel that I have earned the title “Glossier Queen.” Basically, the next step in my Glossier Journey™  would be to work for them. Or, maybe even better: get them to hire my mom (aka BEST Take Your Child To Work Day EVER). 

BACKSTORY/SPOILER: So I wrote a cover letter to Glossier about why they should hire me and my mom. From Glossier: crickets . WHAT? BUT! The founder of GOLD happened to see my letter, loved it, and hired me to write this article. So I did get a gig—and Glossier, I’m not giving up!

What’s so important about a cover letter? 

You are not a resume. You are a person. A cover letter is someone’s first impression of you, so it should show that you would be a good addition to the team—not only qualifications-wise but personality-wise. 

That’s why a cover letter doesn’t need to be meep morp robot-y. Stand out—be funny! From a decade (holy cow that’s a big number! Gimme an O! Gimme an L! Gimme a D!) of doing theater auditions, I’ve learned that you must stand out to be remembered by the director, which will increase the chance of you getting cast. For those of you who’ve had experience with theater, think of a cover letter as an audition. 

You want to be professional and show off your skills—and you want to stand out. Here’s how!

5 tips for using humor to make your letter sound human

Whether it’s for a summer camp counselor, baby food taste tester, or the ceo of a modern lifestyle brand that rhymes with “doop,” here’s what you need to get your cover letter the attention you deserve., 1. say hello (to a real person).

Research the proper contact, and address them by name. No one wants to read a letter to “Whom It May Concern,” unless their name is Whom It May Concern. Once you know who they are, say hi! It’s nice. I like to say “Hello, name of person who you’re writing to!” with an exclamation point because it shows that I am excited to apply for this job and do good work! Just not too many exclamation points after that! I think you see what I mean!

2. Introduce yourself with ~pizzazz~

Tell them a little bit about yourself. Just a taste—like you have experience in something that relates to what you want to be doing. This is a good place to be authentically funny, or at least charming, if it feels natural. 

Here and elsewhere, this doesn’t mean you need to write an actual joke with a setup and a punchline and a clever tag. It’s more an opportunity to add a bit of very specific and colorful detail, like, if you’re me: “I own every single flavor of Balm Dotcom and am on my third Boy Brow.” ( Humor is like ranch dressing. A little with some carrots, broccoli, etc. is good. Great, even! But most people are really weirded out when you just eat a whole lot of it with a spoon.) Also: this is not the place for self-deprecating humor, like “College was awful, like me!!1!1!1!1!!!!” 

3. But also be straightforward where needed.

People like people who make them laugh, but they also like people who are the right fit for the job with a good work ethic and passion. Be clear about:

• What gig you want.
• Why you want to work there: What are their values? Mission? Why work for them instead of somewhere else?
• What you can help them with: Childcare? Research? Taking over multinational corporations? Get specific about the tasks you are ready to roll your sleeves up to do.

This is where you show that you know when to be funny/charming and also when to get down to bizness.

4. Do! Not! Sell! Yourself! Short! 

When you talk about your qualifications, don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through, even as you aim to communicate concrete and important info. Try to paint a picture and describe, rather than just using Resume Words like “detail-oriented” or “self-starter.” Instead of saying you’re “super-organized,” you can say that you color-code your color-coding pens inside a color-coded pencil case. In other words, where it’s not too forced, show, don’t tell!  

5. End with a call to action

Tell whoever you’re emailing what you are hoping to get from them, other than a job: a response. For those of you who are new to writing cover letters, it sounds a bit strange to tell them to respond, but ya gotta do it. Schedule a Skype call or meeting IRL—just do what you’ve gots2do.

The easiest way is just to slide it in during the sign off.  Try “Looking forward to hearing from you soon.”

I’ll end by sharing with you my letter to Glossier. Maybe it will be helpful to you—or maybe they’ll see it here and reconsider. (See: I’m SHOWING, not just telling, that I’m “dedicated.”)

Good luck landing your dream gig—by being yourself!

Hello friends at Glossier!!

My mother and I are beloved fans of Glossier. Both of us would ~love~ to work at your company; alas she has had over two decades of startup experience, including “IPO” (her words, not mine), which was funded by the Lauder family, therefore she would be a better fit for a job. She is, as you probably just read, very experienced with high growth startups, but more importantly, awesome, innovative, and smart. I think she would make an excellent addition to your team. (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tereza )

Now let’s talk about me: I attended a year of school at Leaf Academy in Bratislava, which focuses on Entrepreneurial Leadership, focusing on design thinking. Through this program, I’ve helped to plan multiple events such as Model European Parliament SK, Startup Weekend Bratislava, Sensorium Digital Arts & Culture Festival, and Výťah Space Conference. In addition, I have extensive experience with social media (being Gen Z, of course).

This past year, I’ve discovered my passion for the environment and sustainability—specifically sustainable skincare and clothing brands. It is extremely important to me, as someone who will be alive to experience the effects of climate change, that lifestyle companies that use their power as drivers of how people go about their lives step in and take action towards climate change. 

I own every single flavor of Balm Dotcom and am on my third Boy Brow, I never go downtown without stopping by the Glossier store—I always bring my friends. In fact, most of my friends refer to me as something along the lines of “Glossier Queen” which is accurate. I attend school in Europe but will be home from July 1 st to August 30 th . If you wanted to hire me instead, I think my mom would be okay with that.

Our favorite Glossier products are Boy Brow, Lash Slick, and of course, Generation G in Leo, Jam, and Poppy.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read (or not – that’s okay too) this email. Although this is written in a jokey way, I really think she would be a great addition to the team. I would love nothing more than a “take your kid to work day” at the Glossier office.

If you would (hopefully!!) like to reach out to my mom, her LinkedIn is above.

     Margot Hulme

PS: This is not my mother writing this as a joke; it is me Margot ( https://www.instagram.com/margotkh/?hl=en )

Photo via: Glossier

Margot Hulme is a high schooler living in New York. Not upstate NY, but just outside New York City. When she’s not studying for the SATs (shoutout class of 2021), Margot is probably playing piano or browsing the King Arthur Flour catalog. Ya know, just for fun.

cover letter funny how to margot hulme teen

Subscribe to Tight Five , our free weekly newsletter with comedy tips, funny reads, and entertaining reccos.

😜 33 Funny Cover Letters and Job Applications That are Actually Real

• Post author: Jacob Share
• Post published: June 9, 2016
• Post comments: 5 Comments

These need to be seen to be believed.

MOST of these are real. See if you can spot the few joke ones, and mention your picks in the comments .

1) “Attached is a copy of my CV and his death certificate”

2) “I have brave fight to wild bear”

3) “I am only 6”

4) Reason for leaving: “It sucked”

5) “kount money faster than a bank teller”

6) “i like kids and its fun to fiddle with them”

7) “I won't waste your time… feeding you a line of crap”

8) “If you have any questions, please feel free to f#$king contact me”

9) “it would be the highest choice of my smile to discuss myself being hired”

10) “Please explain your rationale for the rainbow”

11) Please tell me why you deserve to be hired: “To be paid”

12) “You need me to work you because you seem to have trouble with math”

13) “lets make it happen WOO WOO”

14) “Please realize that I'm not a braggart or conceited”

15) “calling our head of HR a ‘skank ho' does not gain you any plus points”

16) “My middle name is Promptness. True story. Ask my mom”

17) “here's a good presentation that cover's the basics”

18) “this position sparked my interested because…”

19) “I am your dog walker… I got a 1600 on my SATs”

20) “Me also can fight for boxing like Tyson”

21) “I am also very highly motivated, just show me the money”

22) “I hate this guy”

23) “I'm sick of writing these pedestrian cover letters, you're sick of reading them”

24) “I am 24 years old which is why I think this position is a great fit for me”

25) “I received some feedback from the grandfather of a friend”

26) “And like to write columns, blogs, reviews, articles and letter to the editor”

27) “since I moved here solely for career purposes, don't really have any friends yet… I'm in a perfect position to make work my life”

28) “right now studying in a Left leaning institution”

29) “the only caveat IS I have to do this during non-working hours”

30) The most generic cover letter ever?

31) “it would probably explode from Cancer of the RAM”

32) “I dont have any expereince”

33) Business Insider Sports Intern?

34) Captain America's cover letter

35) “I am writing to you in regard to the position of boyfriend”

ABC News: Worst cover letters

More funny cover letters and job applications

• Reverse Job Application
• Is this the worst cover letter ever?
• 7 Funniest Cover Letters
• 17 Funniest Cover Letters and Resumes

Question of the article

What's the dumbest thing you ever wrote on a cover letter or job application? Tell us in the comments !

Subscribe to JobMob via RSS or email and follow me on Twitter for more ideas on how NOT to job search.

Jacob Share

This post has 5 comments.

Jacob. These are great. The funniest cover letters and resumes. Real people writing real letters not corporate lingo. I laughed till I cried reading the resumes. Thankyou. A wonderful relief from university assignments.

Glad I made you cry, Shirleen 😂😂😂

Haha, I had a wonderful time reading this! Thanks so much for compiling all these wonderful examples.

These are hilarious!

I’d guess that the following are fake: 1, 8, 20 and 31.

1 is probably fake, but the others may well be real in that they were actually sent to a recruiter. Click through to see for yourself

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Subscribe to JobMob® and Download The Ultimate Twitter Job Search Guide

Easily save it as a PDF or print for daily use

• SORRY, NO QUICK LINKS FOR THIS PAGE

• December 28, 2020
• 10 minutes read

How to Use Humor in a Cover Letter

Job applications have become more and more involved. Not only do you need a resume, but you may also have to include a portfolio, add references, pass job assessments, and ace two or more interviews. But one aspect stands out as the most dreaded of all: the cover letter. The reasons for this are numerous, ranging from too much pressure to a sense of having to be overly formulaic. In short, applicants just aren’t sure how to write one to stand out. Do you let your personality shine? Or do you stick to something professional? However, one manner of writing is gaining traction: adding humor in a cover letter. By doing so, you can set yourself apart from other applicants and give the hiring manager an insight into how you’d gel with the company.

Do You Still Need a Cover Letter?

The debate on cover letters is in full force. While some say experts say it’s dead, others remain confident that it’s one of the deciding factors in the hiring process. To build on this discourse, take these statistics into account. According to a ResumeLab survey, 83% of hiring managers contend that a cover letter is integral in deciding if you’re a fit for the company’s values and culture. Conversely, Boston-based employment agency Addison Group found that only 18% of hiring managers regard the cover letter as an integral part of a successful application.

Due to this dichotomy, job candidates should consider the cover letter an added bonus, allowing them to demonstrate their personality and skills. Thus, the key to a successful cover letter is differentiation. So how do you differentiate? While you have many avenues to create something that’s unique and stands out, humor in a cover letter just might be the most effective.

The Risk Factor of Humor in a Cover Letter

Before you add humor in a cover letter, know the risks. Not every job or profession dictates or needs humor, especially more serious roles in upper-level positions. However, hiring managers have the tedious task of sifting through hundreds of resumes and cover letters daily. And it’s in this mundaneness that humor can truly make your cover letter shine.

But you should also know the risks. Not every hiring manager is wired the same way. And even if they have a sense of humor, they might not have your sense of humor. This is an important distinction and one of the reasons that a bit of comedy is also a gamble. Furthermore, you’re never quite sure how the person on the other end will perceive your jokes or puns. Some might fast-track you to the shortlist of candidates while others may find a lack of professionalism off-putting and end you application process right there. In this regard, tact and the proper way to use humor becomes a necessity.

The Don’ts of Humor in a Cover Letter

Before diving into how to use humor in a cover letter, start the process by understanding the aspects you absolutely, unequivocally should never touch. This list includes the following:

• Any joke that would earn a PG-13 or higher rating
• Potty humor of any kind
• Juvenile/sophomoric humor
• Jokes that could be misconstrued as sexist, ageist, racist, or homophobic

If you’ve read the above and your cover letter humor ideas don’t match, you might be in luck. But remember: if you have any doubt as to whether your humor is appropriate, chances are it’s probably not. Always err on the side of caution in this regard to avoid offending others or having your reputation tarnished.

The Reasoning and the Research

So you want your cover letter to stand out ? Well, the bad news is that a witty one-liner isn’t always the answer. Therefore, you have to question the reasoning behind your choice to take the humor route. And that’s where your research comes into play. Researching any company you’re applying with is a no-brainer. Doing so can demonstrate:

• Desire to work for a particular employer
• If you’re a cultural fit
• Helps you formulate interview questions
• Enables you to answer “why do you want to work for us?”

While these are all great aspects of research, it also helps you to tailor your cover letter. Perusing the company website, social media channels, and any press releases can help you tell if the company is all business or if they have humorous or at least conversational undertones or language. Not only will this allow you to make the decision on whether to use humor in a cover letter, but it also shows you what type of humor would appeal to the hiring manager or other decision-makers.

Being the Top Dog Helps

If you’re a borderline candidate for a job, humor probably won’t help you all that much. Instead, you need a solid resume and a more professional approach to the position. Applicants in the upper echelon of potential candidates may have a bit more leeway. And because you’re already in the top tier, humor is the great differentiator. Note that this isn’t a steadfast rule. But it’s just another consideration you should have before penning the world’s funniest cover letter.

Have you ever heard a best man speech that drones on for 20 minutes? Or a sermon at church that keeps you looking at your watch? That’s because humans typically have a short attention span. It’s not that lengthy dissertations or speeches—even with humor—are especially terrible. But they’re not always necessary. In a professional sense, you also have to value the hiring manager’s time. Odds are strong that they’re poring over dozens of applications a day. Add in the idea that recruiters and companies only look at your application for six seconds before saying “yea” or “nay,” and you don’t have paragraphs or even a few sentences to get your humor across.

In this regard, brevity is key. Keep everything short and to the point, and you just might find more hiring managers appreciating your wit or calling you for an interview.

The Obvious

Like any strong resume, your cover letter should be free of spelling, grammatical, and syntax errors. Forgetting to proofread the letter after drafting it will only nullify your hard work of coming up with humor in a cover letter. So check it once, check it again, and read through it one last time to make sure everything looks amazing and still has the hallmarks of a professional cover letter.

Include All the Usual Parts of a Cover Letter

In addition to your humorous quip, don’t forget that it’s still a cover letter. As such, make certain that you include the following aspects:

• The job you want or are applying for
• Introduce yourself
• Paint a picture of the skills you possess and include any stats that boost your appeal (Example: boosted sales by 22% in Q3)
• Why you want to work at the company and how your skills apply to the position
• Call to action
• Thank you for reviewing the resume
• Contact information

Remember that you don’t just want a verbal recap of your resume. You can take parts of it, but don’t just regurgitate. In this regard, let your resume do the talking and your cover letter be the one-upper.

Superb Examples of Humor in a Cover Letter

Humor comes in a wide array of styles and tastes. Chances are if you ask five people who their favorite comedian is, you’ll get five different answers. So to satisfy your curiosity for funny cover letters and the level of humor that’s been deemed acceptable for employment, here are some stellar examples of humor in a cover letter.

Note: Take notice of the position titles, such as the first example, which helped this applicant nail down an interview.

Dear Potential Master, I was beyond thrilled to see the Customer Service Ninja position at [Company] for two reasons. One, I have long been a fan of your company and all the amazing work you do, and two, because as a real ninja, you can certainly understand that job opportunities for me have been few and far between since 15th-century Japan. Now, why should you consider me over substantially more well-known ninjas like Leonardo, Donatello, Michaelangelo, or even Raphael? Well, for starters, I’ve been skillfully trained in the art of espionage, sabotage, infiltration, and assassination (though I would never assassinate unless ordered to, of course). Your job posting made it clear that you are looking for someone who is ready to take on a variety of responsibilities. Would it impress you to know that I’m proficient in hand-to-hand combat, the katana, and shuriken (you may know these as “ninja stars”) and know seven different ways to render a man immobile with just two fingers? In other words, I’m positive I can handle any responsibilities you throw at me. And as for thriving in a fast-paced environment: Have you ever seen a ninja fight? I’ll be fine. I noticed that the hours are from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m., which is perfect for a ninja like me since I like to operate under the cover of darkness anyway. And while I’ve been trained by the legendary Fujibayashi Nagato, one of the most legendary ninjas ever, to be self-sufficient in all my tasks, I’m very capable and enjoy working as a team while attacking. I humbly look forward to hearing from you soon and would relish the chance to come in for an interview. Maybe you’ll see me coming, maybe you won’t. A good ninja never tells. Sincerely, Applicant Name Source: TheMuse

This applicant eventually landed the job. But for many jobs this approach may be a bit too strong. Still, it’s a fine example of using the job title (Customer Service Ninja) to appeal to an employer while also praising the company and showing the skills you can provide.

Light Humor

In this opening line to a cover letter, the applicant applies a touch of humor but doesn’t overdo it. Then, the writer turns the humor into a skill beneficial to the position—a worthy transition that makes the cover letter stand out.

When I was growing up, all I wanted to be was one of those people who pretend to be statues on the street. Thankfully, my career goals have become a little more aspirational over the years, but I love to draw a crowd and entertain the masses—passions that make me the perfect community manager. Source: TheMuse

The Humor in Intrigue

Another well-executed example of humor in a cover letter is just a straightforward approach that also adds a bit of intrigue. Again, the transition to the job role and mentioning how much the applicant wants to work for the company is natural, while the opening line is simple and provides a little chuckle.

The other day, I took a  career assessment , which told me I should be a maritime merchant. I’m not quite sure what that is, but it did get me thinking: A role that combines my skills in business development with my lifelong passion for the ocean would be my absolute dream. Which is how I found this role at Royal Caribbean. Source: TheMuse

The Attention Grabber With a Call to Action

Combining a great opening line with a call to action at the end, this applicant provides an insight into their live, personality, and sense of humor.

Have you ever had your mom call five times a day asking for a status update on how your job search is going, and then sounding incredulous that not more progress has been made since the last phone call? That’s my life right now. But I’m hoping that soon my life will revolve around being your full-time social media manager. The good news is, I bring more to the table than just an overbearing mom. Let me tell you more. Source: TheMuse

And if you’re having trouble putting together a solid cover letter with or without humor, let Virtual Vocations Career Services help. With a team of experienced resume and cover letter writers, Virtual Vocations can add a dash of professionalism to your cover letter humor.

Moderation Is Key, But Don’t Be Scared to Let Your Personality Shine

Using humor in a cover letter is more than just a few jokes or a bit of dry wit. It’s what helps your personality shine, even at the beginning of the application process. By understanding the potential risks involved and approaching the humor in a somewhat professional matter, it’s not a matter of getting or not getting a job. It’s about finding the right job. No one wants to feel like the wrong puzzle piece shoved into place. So let your humor fly, and you just might find yourself in the midst of a job you love.

Have you successfully used or seen humor in a cover letter? What did you write or read in the cover letter?  Connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn , Instagram , and YouTube to share your comments. We’d love to hear from you !

Joining  Virtual Vocations  grants you access to our hand-picked remote jobs database. Learn  how our service works , browse job leads by  location and career category , or search hundreds of hand-screened remote jobs to find legitimate work-at-home job leads that match your skills and background.  Register for free  or  contact us  for more information on our service guarantee. Check out our menu of Career Services provided by our team of certified professionals, including resume and career coaching services for remote jobseekers. Resume assessments and writing, LinkedIn profile enhancement, and cover letter writing are available to maximize the success of your remote job applications.  Discounts on all services available to subscription members,  become one now.

CREATE YOUR FREE ACCOUNT NOW

Related Articles

20 Best Industries for Fully Remote Jobs in…

• May 30, 2024

May 2024 Employer Partner Remote Job Openings

• May 29, 2024

15 Highest-Paying Entry-Level Remote Jobs

• May 28, 2024

You can share this post!

2021: Hopeful Evermore? 6 Trends for the Year Ahead

Best side hustles in 2021: how to earn some extra cash with a remote job, get the weekly newsletter & latest remote jobs.

• pop Culture
• Facebook Navigation Icon
• Twitter Navigation Icon
• WhatsApp icon
• Instagram Navigation Icon
• Youtube Navigation Icon
• Snapchat Navigation Icon
• TikTok Navigation Icon
• pigeons & planes
• newsletters
• Youtube logo nav bar 0 youtube
• Instagram Navigation Icon instagram
• Twitter Navigation Icon x
• Facebook logo facebook
• TikTok Navigation Icon tiktok
• Snapchat Navigation Icon snapchat
• Apple logo apple news
• Flipboard logo nav bar 1 flipboard
• Instagram Navigation Icon google news
• WhatsApp icon whatsapp
• RSS feed icon rss feed

Complex Global

• united states
• united kingdom
• netherlands
• philippines
• complex chinese

Work with us

terms of use

privacy policy

cookie settings

california privacy

public notice

accessibility statement

COMPLEX participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means COMPLEX gets paid commissions on purchases made through our links to retailer sites. Our editorial content is not influenced by any commissions we receive.

© Complex Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Complex.com is a part of

10 Funny Cover Letters We Found On The Internet

Creativity counts for something, right?

Image via Complex Original

Especially nowadays, finding a good job can be nearly impossible. There's a constant struggle between how you present yourself to any given company and what they offer you in return. You have to make sure your resumé is flawless, with a cover letter to match no less. Some people, however, often take a slightly different approach to constructing their cover letters. Here, we've complied the funniest cover letters to ever hit the Internet. And athough these are indeed ridiculous, they may, in fact, be crazy enough to land you that dream job. 

RELATED:  The 50 Most Ridiculous Yahoo Answers

The Microsoft Word Art Cover Letter

Finally! Someone figured out the official purpose for Microsoft Word. Contrary to popular belief, it's not for kindergarteners with poor artistic abilities, it's for drafting cover letters.

The I'm The Man Cover Letter

As explained, this cover letter can be used for just about any situation. Just be sure to remind everyone that you're humble and the rest should take care of itself.

The I Have A Plan (And It Must Be Accomplished In This Specific Order) Cover Letter

If anyone deserves a job it's a man with a plan, right? Preferably one that involves taking care of his mom, wife, kids, and just about anything else that may make you say "aww" to hire him.

The Nick Cage Photo Is Definitely Going To Get Me This Job Cover Letter

This Nicholas Cage meme should scare your future employer just enough for them to give you a job. Realistically, only crazy people would attach something so creepy.

The Straight To The Point Cover Letter

When all else fails, just don't write anything at all. Remember, it's better to stay silent and have people wonder if you're stupid, than open your mouth and prove them right.

The I'm Probably A Douche Cover Letter

When describing yourself always be sure to mention obscure talents. As seen in this case, how can you not hire a person who is ranked 80th in the world for yo-yoing? Also: This person is probably a douchebag.

The Three P's Cover Letter

One of two things is going on here. This person is either extremely creative or extremely stoned. Either way, he should be considered for a job because his imagination clearly knows no bounds.

The I Attended The Dude's Funeral To Make Sure His Position Was Open Cover Letter

Paying your respects? Ain't nobody got time for that when there's a job opening. And if sheer audacity doesn't work, just follow suite and tell your employer you caught them red-handed in a lie. That should seal the deal.

The I Have Cat-Like Reflexes Cover Letter

In retrospect this person has the right idea. When giving references, always give your own phone number. Because if you don't love yourself, who else will?

The My Favortie Color Is Toupe Because It Rhymes With Dope Cover Letter

When constructing a quality cover letter make sure to check off all the things you're awesome at. And always remember, when sending in a cover letter, don't even give the employer an opportunity to call you back. Just show up the next day, because that's how dope you are.

SHARE THIS STORY

Sign up for the

Complex Newsletter

Your leading source for what’s now and what’s next in Music, Style, Sports, and Pop Culture.

By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our

Latest in Pop Culture

| BY JOSHUA ESPINOZA

Shiloh Jolie Reportedly the Latest of Brad and Angelina's Kids to Drop 'Pitt' From Name

'Deadpool & Wolverine' Popcorn Bucket Draws Horny Reactions

| BY TARA MAHADEVAN

Kris Jenner On Her 25-Year Age Gap With Corey Gamble: 'I Can’t Explain Why People Fall in Love'

Pam Grier Says 'Bones' Costar Snoop Dogg Was Good at Kissing: 'He Can Smooch'

| BY JAELANI TURNER-WILLIAMS

Hailey Bieber Renews Vows With Justin Bieber, Seen Wearing $1.5 Million Engagement Ring

Charlamagne Tha God Says Diddy Had Wendy Williams Fired From Hot 97 for Suggesting He Was Gay

Sofia Vergara Says She Wants to Combat Aging by Getting ‘Every Plastic Surgery’ When She’s Ready

| BY TRACE WILLIAM COWEN

Complex Announces Acquisition of Family Style Food Festival

| BY JOE PRICE

Kris Jenner on Khloé Kardashian Saying She Could Make a Ton of Money Selling Feet Pics: ‘Do I Get 10 Percent?’

| BY ALEX OCHO

Jerry Seinfeld Confesses 'I Miss a Dominant Masculinity' and the Internet Takes It From There

   Humorous Cover Letter

Thanks so much for the job offer! I accept, and will be at my desk bright and early tomorrow morning.

… is what I will say if this plays out the way I hope.

I'm writing to apply for the advertised position of Social Media Manager. Online, my wit is quick but at the office my dedication and drive are deadly serious. I'm someone you can count on to be on trend yet not annoying, tuned into social media trends yet mindful of the reach of an entire brand. I work well with a team yet am not shy about generating my own ideas, especially when it comes to social media posts. I strike the delicate balance of pushing the envelope without stirring controversy.

For the past year, I've managed the Twitter and Instagram accounts for Up-and-Coming Company. You may have noticed the viral Tweet featuring a motorized vacuum and a very curious cat. That was me! Well, that was my cat. But that was me who posted it. The post is at 70,000 retweets and counting.

I know that not every Tweet will go viral. That's why I am well-versed in many facets of social media strategy. I have a degree in Digital Marketing from the University of State and am pursing a "mini-MBA" online.

I'd appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and discuss what I can bring to XYZ Company's social media presence and make my introductory sentence a reality.

Download this cover letter — free!

Formatted and ready to use with Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or any other word processor that can open the .DOC file format.

Index of Cover Letter Examples

• Translators
• Graphic Designers

Please enter the email address you used for your account. Your sign in information will be sent to your email address after it has been verified.

How to Add Humor to Your Résumé or CV

You might be one of many people in the market for a new job at the moment. If you're in this position, your first inclination might be to turn to your résumé or CV and start updating it. And depending on the last time you had to do that, that might be a rather large undertaking! So how can you make your résumé or CV stand out above the rest?

Adding humor to your résumé or CV might not be the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, it might be the last! But with some well-placed humor, that might just be the thing to stand out in a great way to a prospective employer.

Let's discuss a few ways to achieve this!

Know your audience

This one is listed first for a reason. Before you go adding levity to your employment documents to make them sound like your dream stand-up routine, consider the job you're applying for and the industry. Jobs in a more creative industry, like marketing or publishing, might be much more interested in seeing different aspects of your personality rather than, say, a banking institution or a science laboratory.

Non-creative industries tend to be much more interested in your personal skill set and your professional credentials in the early application stages. That's not to say they don't care about you as a person, but in a field where a certain level of education is required or plenty of past experience in a particular, specific industry, they want to weed out the unqualified from the qualified as quickly as possible as early as possible.

A creative industry, on the other hand, might be very interested in how you jump off the page. If the job is focused on marketing or has a heavy emphasis on writing, your personality and humor may very well help a prospective employer get a feel for the creative ways you communicate about yourself and your experience as a way of how well you may perform in the job they're considering you for.

Take care with the content

Since sending a résumé or CV is, obviously, a professional endeavor where you're hoping to get hired, you'll want to be extremely strategic with where and how you use humor. The cover letter is likely the most logical place since often, you're invited by the employer to use the letter to expand on your immediate credentials, education, and skills that make you an ideal candidate for that job. It's specific to the employer as to how much stock they place in the cover letter. Some treat the letter as a mere formality and prefer to focus on the résumé /CV. Some detail very specific items to address in the cover letter—often to ensure the applicant is paying close attention to the details in the posting.

You won't know for sure how much stock the prospective employer places in the cover letter, so you should default to writing it erring on the side of the employer reading it thoroughly. Sprinkle humor in lightly where it feels appropriate, and rather than focusing on jokes, you might focus on wit. For example, a phrase might be "I'm a hard worker, a fast learner, and I have a disturbing thirst for knowledge." This is witty rather than humorous, but it might be light enough to elicit a smile—and, even better, second look—from a prospective employer.

Tailor the humor to the employer

If you're feeling confident that you're applying for a job with an employer who will appreciate a little humor and creativity, then try to be funny in a way that is complementary to the employer. For instance, if you're applying for a marketing job with, say, a cosmetics company, you might enthusiastically write that you own every shade of a certain kind of lipstick they make. Or, if you're applying for a job as a story developer for a video game manufacturer, you might write a humorous line about binge-playing one of their titles over a long holiday weekend. This, when done carefully, can show the employer that you not only are familiar with their product or service, but that you enjoy it, and that enjoyment is driving you to want to work for them. And, it may encourage them to view you as an excellent prospective candidate.

Avoid self-deprecation

We all know a person who cracks truly funny self-deprecating jokes. In fact, someone who makes jokes at their own expense rather than another's can often be some of the most charming people you'll meet. Those little personal jabs at oneself simultaneously highlight a person's humility and sense of being grounded, while also at the same time displaying some serious self-confidence. It takes a lot of that to be able to poke fun at yourself!

That said…the résumé /CV is not the best place for self-deprecation. The problem is that convincing self-deprecation requires a tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language to really hit the mark with its intention, and none of these physical attributes are available on the page. Therefore, what you might intend to come off as self-deprecating might strike a stranger reading it with no context and never having met you as awkward, lacking self-confidence, or downright weird.

When in doubt, be serious

Humor in varying degrees might come naturally to you, whether you're speaking or writing. And you might also be someone who can easily adjust that humor for different audiences. But when you're applying for a job and you've written someone witty or humorous and you're simply not sure whether or not to include it, or whether or not it's appropriate, it's always best to err on the side of caution and leave it out for now. Choose to focus on what qualifies you for the job and what you can bring to the role. Your sparkling wit will need to take a backseat for now if you're not 100% sure, but that's okay. That's what the interview is for!

A/B testing

You might be sending out a number of résumé s and CVs at this time. If that's the case, you can try using humor in some and not others. Then, you can gauge your tactic and technique depending on the responses you get. If you receive more responses to your résumé /CV indicating an interest in you as a candidate, this might tell you that your humor was on the mark and a great tool to capture the prospective employer's attention. On the other hand, if you receive polite rejections or no responses whatsoever, that might tell you that perhaps your résumé /CV should focus more on your skills and qualifications and include less levity.

Save it for the interview

If you decide to eschew humor in your résumé and CV because it just doesn't feel quite appropriate for the job you're applying for, or perhaps your A/B testing indicated that humor isn't garnering you a lot of positive replies to your applications, you can put your efforts into highlighting your skills and qualifications in order to shine on paper and use the interview as a way to shine in person. We mentioned previously that humor—especially if self-deprecation is your go-to—requires not just words but also physical cues like tone of voice and body language to hit its mark. The interview is a great place to let your personality and sense of humor shine through always save your wit for the interview, which will allow the company to get the full delivery in context—something that's not always possible on paper.

Humor is a great way to showcase your personality to a prospective employer. No matter the industry, it's probably fair to say that most employers don't want a robot to fill a role. They're looking for a warm, personable team player who also has the qualifications they're looking for. That said, while it might be tempting to inject humor into your résumé or CV, that requires some careful consideration before doing so. More often than not, shying away from humor is encouraged, as it's a risky move. However, some well-constructed wit and humor might prove to be worth the risk—because it just might be the thing that makes you stand out above the crowd of candidates and help you score the next job of your dreams.

Good luck, and happy job hunting!

Related Posts

Internship Cover Letters: What To Write When You Have No Experience

Composing the Executive-Level Résumé

• Employment Writing Advice
• All Blog Posts
• Writing Advice
• Academic Writing Advice
• Admissions Writing Advice
• Book Writing Advice
• Short Story Advice
• Business Writing Advice
• Web Content Advice
• Article Writing Advice
• Magazine Writing Advice
• Grammar Advice
• Dialect Advice
• Editing Advice
• Freelance Advice
• Legal Writing Advice
• Poetry Advice
• Graphic Design Advice
• Logo Design Advice
• Translation Advice
• Blog Reviews
• Short Story Award Winners
• Scholarship Winners

Your source for job application editors and writers

Do Not Send a “Funny” Cover Letter Like This One

“Comedy is not pretty!” That is the title of an old Steve Martin special and I have to agree with the sentiment. When you tell a joke you need to be ready for laughs and also prepare for the worst. Some nights, the audience might roll in the aisles with laughter. The next night? Tough crowd, tough crowd.

I am a fairly serious person but I enjoy a good laugh — there is a time and place for joking. You would not think a job application is a laughing matter, though. But it is surprising how often I have seen some ill-advised attempts at humor in cover letters .

One cover letter detailed a plan to create a wild movie parody that was certain to “go viral.” Another promised to make customers “seethe, sweat, and smile.” Or what about no cover letter at all? Instead, a list of the top 10 reasons to hire someone, including” “my mom loves me” and each one sillier than the last.

Candidates are looking for creative ways to make a positive impression. And it takes time to craft a cover letter and resume that a hiring manager wants to read.

I realize it can be tough to stand out from a crowd of applicants, all vying for attention. It is not easy to put yourself out there and risk rejection. I admire the effort — but the execution sometimes confuses me.

That is the reason I want to explain why I do not think it is wise to show your stand-up-comedian side in a cover letter. Because humor is:

Subjective What you think is patently hilarious, someone else might find juvenile, obnoxious, insulting , bizarre, or even offensive. There is no universal standard for what anyone considers funny. Once you consider all the possible ways your joke might go sideways, it probably will not seem quite so funny anymore.

Risky Using humor in your cover letter is a big gamble. After all, you probably do not know the person reading your email on the other end. The hiring manager may be a huge fan of comedy — or the most humorless person you will likely never meet (and could be annoyed that you are wasting time with silliness).

Distracting Even if you get the desired chuckle you want, your jokey asides can distract the hiring manager from the real reason you are writing — you want the job. You could earn some attention, but you come off looking like a goof-off rather than a viable candidate who is ready to get down to work.

Now, I am not suggesting that you should completely silence your personality. You certainly want to show vigorous signs of life.

But when you are looking for a job, you want potential employers to see you as a professional, not a workplace jester. So before you send out that next funny cover letter, consider it from the hiring manager’s perspective.

Ask yourself, “How will this joke or story be perceived by someone I do not know? Is the joke worth the risk that it might be a distraction?”

Better to consider a few of our suggestions for how to keep your cover letter simple and genuine. Describe your strengths and how your experience makes you a great fit for the role. Explain why you are excited about the opportunity and the company.

Just be your best self — save your dry sense of humor and crazy wit for later, when it will be better appreciated.

How have you seen humor backfire on the job?

Brian de Haaff

Brian seeks business and wilderness adventure. He is the co-founder and CEO of Aha! — the world’s #1 product development software — and the author of the bestseller Lovability and The Startup Adventure newsletter. Brian writes and speaks about product and company growth and the journey of pursuing a meaningful life.

Follow Aha!

Follow Brian

Related articles

The Best Cover Letters That CEOs Love to Read

A well-crafted cover letter is a great way to get noticed. Find out what to include in your cover letter to catch the attention of a CEO.

New Marketing Managers — Do These 8 Things in the First 30 Days

Are you a new marketing manager? Check out these suggestions from eight marketing experts on how to show your true value in your first 30 days.

• Privacy policy
• Terms of service

The "Funny" Cover Letter Mistake That Almost Always Backfires

Co-founder and CEO of Aha! — the world's #1 roadmap software

“Comedy is not pretty!” That is the title of an old Steve Martin special and I have to agree with the sentiment. When you tell a joke you need to be ready for laughs and also prepare for the worst. Some nights, the audience might roll in the aisles with laughter. The next night? Tough crowd, tough crowd.

I am a fairly serious person but I enjoy a good laugh — there is a time and place for joking. You would not think a job application is a laughing matter, though. But it is surprising how often I have seen some ill-advised attempts at humor in cover letters .

One cover letter detailed a plan to create a wild movie parody that was certain to “go viral.” Another promised to make customers “seethe, sweat, and smile.” Or what about no cover letter at all? Instead, a list of the top 10 reasons to hire someone, including” “my mom loves me” and each one sillier than the last.

Candidates are looking for creative ways to make a positive impression. And it takes time to craft a cover letter and resume that a hiring manager wants to read.

I realize it can be tough to stand out from a crowd of applicants, all vying for attention. It is not easy to put yourself out there and risk rejection. I admire the effort — but the execution sometimes confuses me.

That is the reason I want to explain why I do not think it is wise to show your stand-up-comedian side in a cover letter. Because humor is:

What you think is patently hilarious, someone else might find juvenile, obnoxious, insulting, bizarre, or even offensive. There is no universal standard for what anyone considers funny. Once you consider all the possible ways your joke might go sideways, it probably will not seem quite so funny anymore.

Using humor in your cover letter is a big gamble. After all, you probably do not know the person reading your email on the other end. The hiring manager may be a huge fan of comedy — or the most humorless person you will likely never meet (and could be annoyed that you are wasting time with silliness).

Distracting

Even if you get the desired chuckle you want, your jokey asides can distract the hiring manager from the real reason you are writing — you want the job. You could earn some attention, but you come off looking like a goof-off rather than a viable candidate who is ready to get down to work.

Now, I am not suggesting that you should completely silence your personality. You certainly want to show vigorous signs of life.But when you are looking for a job, you want potential employers to see you as a professional, not a workplace jester. So before you send out that next funny cover letter, consider it from the hiring manager’s perspective.

Ask yourself, “How will this joke or story be perceived by someone I do not know? Is the joke worth the risk that it might be a distraction?”

Better to consider a few of our suggestions for how to keep your cover letter simple and genuine. Describe your strengths and how your experience makes you a great fit for the role. Explain why you are excited about the opportunity and the company.

Just be your best self — save your dry sense of humor and crazy wit for later, when it will be better appreciated.

How have you seen humor backfire on the job?

Popular in the Community

From our partner, more in contributor.

Jim Carrey Wrote Funny Letters to Tupac When He Was in Prison?

Social media users claimed carrey was tupac's favorite actor., aleksandra wrona, published may 28, 2024.

About this rating

In May 2024, a rumor went viral on Reddit, claiming that actor Jim Carrey wrote funny letters to the rapper Tupac Shakur when he was incarcerated. "When Tupac was in jail, Jim Carrey used to write him funny letters in an attempt to cheer him up. Tupac was a huge fan of the comedian," an image in the post read:

Posts from the wholesomememes community on Reddit

The same claim has circulated online for years, on platforms such as X , Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube and  Pinterest . "According to a 2017 report, Jim Carrey – who happened to be the iconic rapper's favourite actor – took it upon himself to write his friend letters while he was in jail," one viral Instagram post claimed . Some of the posts were accompanied by a fake photograph of Carrey and Shakur we debunked in May 2024. The rumor was also reposted by numerous websites .

In short, because we have found no demonstrable evidence to support the claim that Carrey wrote funny letters to Shakur when he was incarcerated, and it originated as a groundless rumor, we have rated this claim as "Unfounded."

In 1995, a judge  sentenced  Skaur to 1½ to 4½ years in prison for sexually abusing a fan. A Vintage News post  on the topic claimed that Shakur received letters from Carrey while in prison, but "Carrey has refused to share their contents" (emphasis ours):

By the time he was imprisoned, Tupac Shakur had long been entrenched in the Hollywood lifestyle, developing friendships with many famous individuals, including Mike Tyson and Jim Carrey. As aforementioned, he kept in contact with the latter while he was incarcerated. It's alleged Carrey contacted the rapper on several occasions, with the two eventually becoming close confidantes. Unsurprisingly, the letters the actor to Shakur wrote were on the comedic side, providing some much-needed light relief during what was a rather difficult time in Shakur's life. While he's been asked what he wrote in the letters, Carrey has refused to share their contents, showing the mutual respect the two had for each other while Shakur was alive.

Similarly, a post on the Hip Hop Hero website claimed  "Carrey has repeatedly refused to share these documents that he sent to Shakur, and it remains a mystery what precisely he said." An account on X, Letters of Note, wrote : "Reminds me: I wrote to Jim Carrey a few years back, to ask him about the letters he and Tupac Shakur used to send each other. No reply. Sad!"

However, we have not found any reliable sources confirming that Carrey ever wrote letters to Shakur or refused to share them. Moreover, we have not found any confirmation that Tupac ever said Carrey was his favorite actor, as viral posts and articles  claimed. 

"I've read this story a million times over the last 20+ years, but I still don't know if it's true. PAC never mentioned it nor have I heard Jim Carrey talk about it. Also the photo is fake. That's Mickey Rourke with Jim Carrey's head," one Instagram user commented  under a post with the  fake photograph  of the pair. 

In August 2023, the YouTube channel 03'n8  published a video with the title "Jim Carrey and Tupac (probably) weren't friends" on the topic, investigating not only whether Carrey actually wrote to Shakur, but also whether the two were even friends.

The video underscored that neither Shakur nor Carrey ever spoke publicly about exchanging letters. Its author found that the book "Got Your Back: Protecting Tupac in the World of Gangsta Rap" by Frank Alexander mentions only that Shakur loved Carrey and used to imitate him. Another book, "Original Gangstas," the video reports, included the sentence: "He got mail from Jim Carrey and Tony Danza, the latter of whom urged him to stay strong." However, the book's author wrote in an email to the video's creator that he could not determine where he got that information. 

We have reached out to Carrey's representatives, as well as the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, and will update this article if we receive a response. 

We've fact-checked other Shakur -related claims in the past. For instance, in April 2024, we  investigated  a photograph allegedly showing him posing next to Jada Pinkett Smith in high school. In October 2023, we  debunked  a photograph purportedly showing Shakur posing next to Osama bin Laden

03'n8. Jim Carrey and Tupac (Probably) Weren't Friends . 2023. YouTube , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuDQ1ng7p80.

James, George. "Rapper Faces Prison Term For Sex Abuse." The New York Times , 8 Feb. 1995. NYTimes.com , https://www.nytimes.com/1995/02/08/nyregion/rapper-faces-prison-term-for-sex-abuse.html.

Wrona, Aleksandra. "Is This a Real Pic of Tupac with Osama Bin Laden?" Snopes , 21 Oct. 2023, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/osama-bin-laden-tupac-pic/.

---. "Photo Shows Tupac Shakur and Jada Pinkett Smith in High School?" Snopes , 17 Apr. 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/tupac-jada-pinkett-smith-high-school/.

---. "Viral Photo Shows Jim Carrey and Tupac Shakur Clubbing Together?" Snopes , 20 May 2024, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/tupac-and-jim-carrey/.

By Aleksandra Wrona

Aleksandra Wrona is a reporting fellow for Snopes, based in the Warsaw area.

Article Tags