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cover of episode The case for cover lettters

The case for cover lettters

2025/6/4
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REWORK

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J
Jason Fried
K
Kimberly Rhodes
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Kimberly Rhodes: 我想和你聊聊求职信的重要性。我们一直认为,在招聘时,求职信非常重要。你最近在X和LinkedIn上发布了关于求职信的帖子,收到了很多反馈。所以我想和你更深入地探讨一下这个问题,首先请你概述一下为什么你认为求职信在申请过程中如此重要。 Jason Fried: 对我们来说,我们首先看求职信。首先,我们要求求职信。当我们发布招聘广告时,我们会说,请发送求职信。我们要求求职信,因为这是对求职者的初步介绍。简历只列出过去的经历,不具体说明求职者的情况,而求职信则提供了一个特定的介绍机会。好的求职信应是求职者写给公司的一封关于自己以及为何想要这份特定工作的个人信件。求职信能展示求职者是否真的想在这家公司工作,因为你能看出他们是否只是在群发。在37signals,写作能力至关重要,求职信是考察写作能力的第一步。人们可以使用AI来辅助写作,但要先自己写一些东西,然后再用AI来润色。通过大量阅读求职信,你可以发现AI写作的模式,从而判断出哪些是AI生成的。如果你真的想在某几家公司工作,那就花些时间和精力,因为大多数人都不够努力。只要稍加努力,你就能脱颖而出,因为大多数人都不会付出足够的努力。我们的所有团队最初都是通过这种方式招聘的,我们的整个招聘流程都是围绕这种方法建立的。你必须明白,当有成百上千人申请时,你必须脱颖而出,才能有任何机会。如果你等到最后一刻才提交申请,这表明你一直在拖延,这不是一个好兆头。如果你要雇佣一个人,那么应该由人来雇佣人。我们有非常优秀的人才,他们非常了解公司,了解在这里工作出色的人,以及我们想要合作的人。我宁愿让人来做决定,因为他们真正了解我们,并且真正能感受到我们。即使他们会做出一些错误的决定,但一个系统也会错过优秀的人才。尤其是当你建立一家公司,规模很小的时候,你希望与你雇佣的每个人都有接触。招聘也是一项你需要培养的技能,如果你把这项技能交给一个系统,你就无法提升自己。亲自挑选团队,而不是通过机器,因为这个团队将成为你其余团队的基础。尽可能多地参与招聘过程,尤其是在早期和规模较小时,这一点非常重要。

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Chapters
Jason Fried emphasizes the importance of cover letters in the hiring process at 37signals. Unlike resumes, which only list past experiences, cover letters allow candidates to introduce themselves and explain why they want the specific job. The ability to write a clear and concise cover letter demonstrates communication skills crucial for the company.
  • Cover letters are the first introduction to a candidate, providing a personal touch missing in resumes.
  • 37signals requires cover letters because they offer a specific introduction beyond just past work experience.
  • The ability to write a clear and effective cover letter demonstrates communication skills essential for the company.

Shownotes Transcript

This week on The REWORK Podcast, host Kimberly Rhodes is joined by Jason Fried to talk about cover letters — what they say about a candidate, how they’re reviewed at 37signals, and why they still matter. Jason shares his take on the value of genuine effort, how AI can either help or hurt your chances, and why hiring should stay a human process.

Key Takeaways:

  • 00:13 – A cover letter says more about you than your résumé ever could
  • 03:35 – How using AI the right (or wrong) way shows up in applications
  • 06:04 – Why a pre-screening team reads every cover letter first
  • 07:18 – A thoughtful effort is often what gets you to the short list
  • 13:36 – It’s easier than you think to spot procrastination
  • 16:50 – At 37signals, hiring decisions are made by people—not algorithms

Links and Resources:

  • “Cover Letters? Yes!” From Jason Fried’s HEY World)
  • “When You Review Hundreds of Cover Letters…” LinkedIn post by Jason Fried)
  • Record or upload a video question for Jason and David)
  • Get Basecamp for free at Basecamp.com)
  • Books by 37signals)
  • HEY World | HEY)
  • REWORK podcast merch)
  • The REWORK podcast)
  • The Rework Podcast on YouTube)
  • The 37signals Dev Blog)
  • 37signals on YouTube)
  • @37signals on X)