Writing a generic cover letter for my leaders.

Anonymous

April 21,2023 at 2:20PM UTC

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Writing a generic cover letter for my leaders.

During my annual review, I indicated to my manager and director that I was interested in finding a new role elsewhere in the company. Reasons for wanting to leave are because they are largely clueless as leaders, do nothing to leverage the strengths of the people on their team, and de-motivate people with their micromanaging tendencies.

My manager recently mentioned that they had chatted with the director and HR rep, and it was suggested that I create a generic cover letter and provide it to the manager and director so that if they were to have discussions with others about possible candidates, that they could share this cover letter with them.

I am having really mixed feelings about this. On one hand I feel grateful because this is the first time they have ever committed to taking actual action to help me in my career. On the other hand I have already told them both in multiple past conversations about my background, strengths, and long-term professional goals.

I feel that after working with me for a few years now, they should be able to speak to my experience, work style, and goals organically without a cover letter as a crutch. In the past I have been asked to produce similar summary documents with talking points for work initiatives because they know next to nothing about the subject matter, and this seems like a different version of that same tactic (read: it isn't to hand out to others as much as it is to prop them up).

I would love to get some insights from this group about this. Am I expecting too much from my leaders about how much they know about me? Has anyone else ever been asked to create a pre-emptive generic cover letter for their leaders to hand out? If so, does anyone have any tips or pointers on how to make a cover letter like this great? Or is this wasted effort? I typically create custom cover letters when I apply for positions, so having a generic one too seems odd.

Thanks in advance, you all are the best!

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AnonymousApril 21,2023 at 4:44PM UTC
Just be careful because what they are requesting could be construed as an advanced notice of relinquished duties.
My Spidie sense is up on this one.
If you do draft something. In your letters preamble make sure you position the messaging as "thank you in advance for your support of my career development and per your request......".
Then summarize your training, education and experience with an overview of the types of roles you are looking to take on.
AnonymousApril 23,2023 at 6:16PM UTC
My feelings exactly. This could easily be used to set you up. I agree that it doesn't feel right.
AnonymousApril 21,2023 at 4:46PM UTC
I would not put anything like this in writing. It could come back to haunt you.
AnonymousApril 21,2023 at 6:52PM UTC
OP: I appreciate the insight from both of you. I have noticed other recent situations where it feels like I’m being set up to be put on corrective action or otherwise forced out, and didn’t consider that this could be another tool that could be used against me.
AnonymousApril 21,2023 at 7:53PM UTC
Like the first response stated, rather than produce a standard cover letter like you would if applying to another company, I would write it as a memo, thanking your manager for being sensitive and understanding of your career goals and desire to engage in your career development. Follow that with a statement that you appreciate the company and find the job rewarding. Then add something about where you would like your career to take you within the next two to five years. That squashes any appearance that you are sitting with one foot out the door and the other on a banana peel (LOL).
AnonymousApril 21,2023 at 8:49PM UTC
Your "appearance that you are sitting with one foot out the door and the other on a banana peel" comment made my day....thank you!
AnonymousApril 22,2023 at 12:36PM UTC
This is by far the best advice I have ever seen! It sets a positive tone, thanks your management team for helping you succeed thus far, and speaks highly of your skills and value from your own words.
This way it also squashes any negative rumors that may be floating around in regards to you.
Don't forget to add what your strengths can bring to the company as you advance up the career ladder!
BeaBoss979975April 22,2023 at 4:22AM UTC
You have no idea what they remember from your conversations. This is your opportunity to make sure that they know exactly what you are looking for. And watch out for that banana peel!
Maggie StoneApril 22,2023 at 12:32PM UTC
Hmm…Not sure how a generic cover letter would help you more than a current resume. But I think that the bigger question is do you want to stay on with this organization?
AnonymousApril 22,2023 at 4:13PM UTC
I think it seems reasonable for them to ask for a cover letter. I'm not sure if I'm missing any nuances but it seems like they are taking your request seriously and giving you a first step towards finding a new role.
If it is generic, you can use the letter for a template for other applications if anything else pops up. I think its worth doing and shouldn't require too much effort.
BethBApril 23,2023 at 12:45PM UTC
You are being handed a golden opportunity to craft your own narrative. This is good fortune, not an imposition. You have no idea what others think of you or if their thoughts match up with what you want people to think of you. They don’t remember your specific accomplishments and skills. Make the most of it. This is a time to list your accomplishments and to highlight your skill set and what they can bring to the table
AnonymousApril 23,2023 at 5:23PM UTC
This is not an opportunity, but rather a way for them to transfer you to another team without having to do any work or paperwork on their part, or look bad. If there have been past conversations about your desire to grow or pursue a transfer to another department that is of more interest to you - even if it’s a disguise for “I’m not really happy in this department” - why was there nothing before now? I’d be very wary of putting this in writing as it could be used against you. Until now they haven’t asked you to write a “generic development statement”, and this feels odd to me. Once a boss knows you are unhappy or prepping to leave/promote, many are unhappy about that for a variety of reasons and they are not trying to “help” you by having a generic cover letter on hand to pass out. They need to appear to be supportive. Who’s to say they would ever pass it out? It’s just ‘busy work’ to make you feel better. The more I think about it, the more I see red flags. The best advice I ever received is: this is a business. Period. I’m sorry you’re going through a lot; I hope it works out for you. I would say find a posting you like and apply to it directly with a customized cover letter.
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 12:23PM UTC
Agreed, another question is "Why was HR brought into this conversation, without any action on their part to talk to you about current opportunities in the company?
AnonymousMay 5,2023 at 7:01PM UTC
OP: I brought HR in due to the content of the annual review. I reported to another supervisor for most of the year before they transferred elsewhere in the company, and their review comments were not initially included in the review. I felt I needed our HR rep's guidance on how to get the review revised in an official capacity.
I work for a large corporation, so our HR rep wouldn't necessarily have any more visibility into current openings in the company than I would, especially since I'm looking for roles in another pyramid.
AnonymousApril 23,2023 at 5:33PM UTC
What BethB said, an interview is still and interview and if the internal people have not worked closely with you then it's time for you to toot your own horn. Show them who you are - be positive in the way you talk about your skills and expertise and illuminate how you work best and under what kind of leadership. The only other question is will the potential new teams have the same leadership issues? Definitely look outside of your organization too since letting them know you're not happy is also a means for them to think about replacing you 100%. Ask for what you want and even if you don't get a raise upon moving over or out it sounds like you truly need this change.
AnonymousApril 24,2023 at 2:15PM UTC
OP: thank you everyone for your insights. You have given me a lot to think about, and for that I thank you!