Do these sentences resonate? 👇
- “I know I ‘should’ write a cover letter, but I have no idea how to sound like myself and still sound professional.”
- “I’m scared if I write the way I talk, I’ll seem ‘unprofessional’—but if I don’t, I’ll sound fake.”
- “I’ve been code switching my whole life. Do I have to do that in my cover letter too?”
Cover letters and code switching intersect more than most people admit. This isn’t just about “using big words.” It’s about who feels safe to sound like themselves on paper, and who’s been taught they have to translate their voice to get a fair shot.
“Authenticity isn’t just about making a choice; it’s about feeling safe enough to show up as yourself.” – Nicola Crooks‑Ramgeet
What is a cover letter?
At its core, a cover letter is:
- A short letter that connects your story to a specific role.
- A place to explain why you’re interested, what you bring, and how your experiences line up with what they’re asking for.
A helpful way to think about it:
In a cover letter, you usually want to:
- Name the role and company you’re applying for.
- Share why this role matters to you (mission, work, community, learning).
- Pull out 2–3 experiences (jobs, school, community, caregiving, side projects) that show you can do the key parts of the job.
- Close with a simple call to action: that you’re excited to talk more.
Gen Z cover letter vibes:
- Shorter, to‑the‑point letters are increasingly preferred; many hiring managers say half a page is ideal.
- Gen Z wants cover letters that sound personal and authentic, not copy‑pasted corporate.
So no, you don’t need a whole memoir. You need a focused page (or less) that sounds like you on your most put‑together day.
What is code switching?
Traditionally, code switching meant switching between languages or dialects depending on the situation. Over time, especially in race and workplace conversations, it has come to mean something bigger:
Examples 👇
- Using a different tone or vocabulary at work than you do with family or group chat.
- Straightening your hair or changing your style for interviews so people don’t see you as “too much.”
- Avoiding slang, cultural references, or parts of your identity in professional spaces because you’re worried about stereotypes.
Research and lived experience show:
- Black, Brown, and other marginalized folks often code-switch to avoid discrimination or negative stereotypes, hoping it leads to fairer treatment and opportunities.
- Code switching can sometimes help people navigate biased systems, but it can also be exhausting and harmful when it means constantly suppressing parts of yourself.
If you feel yourself asking, “Do I sound like me, or like what they want?” that’s code-switching knocking at the door.
Does Gen Z code switch?
Short answer: yes, but differently.
- Gen Z is known for blending online and offline selves and switching between formal and informal language across platforms.
- Many Gen Z folks still shift language and tone at work or in interviews to be taken seriously by older managers or corporate culture.
- For Gen Z who are Black, Brown, immigrant, first‑gen, queer, neurodivergent, or from working‑class backgrounds, code switching often intersects with race, class, and identity, not just “internet vs. email voice.”
Previous generations were often told they had no choice: “Talk like this or you won’t get hired.” Gen Z is more likely to ask, “Okay, but what actually feels right for me?” and to look for workplaces that match that.
Cover letters, code switching, and choosing your voice
There’s no one “right” answer for how much to code-switch in a cover letter. But there are questions you can ask yourself so the choice feels like yours, not just fear.
What's the baseline of professionalism you’re okay with?
Professional doesn’t have to equal “robotic”:
- You can use “I” statements, show personality, and still sound serious about the work.
- You can say “I’m excited” or “I care about…” rather than “I am writing to express my sincere interest…” if that feels more natural.
Try this:
- Write a first draft the way you’d explain your interest to a mentor you respect.
- Then tweak a bit for clarity and tone, rather than starting from a stiff template.
What parts of you feel safe and right to share for this role?
Ask yourself:
- Am I comfortable mentioning being first‑gen, BIPOC, low‑income, disabled, queer, etc. as part of my story for this particular employer?
- Would sharing that feel like power (this is what shaped me) or like exposure (this might be used against me here)?
You might decide:
- For some roles, you highlight lived experience (e.g., working in community, being first‑gen).
- For others, you keep it more neutral and focus on skills and outcomes.
The key: that decision comes from your read of the situation and your values, not just internalized pressure to hide.
Does the voice in your cover letter match how you want to show up at work?
Imagine you get the job:
- If your cover letter reads like a totally different person than who you are on day one, that’s a big code‑switching gap that might feel exhausting to maintain.
- If your letter is like “you on your best behavior,” that’s usually a healthy middle ground.
Ask: “If they hire the person in this cover letter, will they actually be hiring me?”
If the answer is no, adjust the tone until it feels closer.
Think of this as a mini framework: Clarify → Choose → Align
Clarify
What’s the purpose of this cover letter?
- To show you understand the role.
- To connect your experiences and values to their work.
- To let them hear your voice, not just see your bullet points.
Choose
How much do you want to code switch here?
You can experiment with:
- More formal version:
- For more traditional or conservative fields, you might dial up clarity and formality but still keep a bit of your rhythm.
- Balanced version:
- Professional, but with your natural phrasing, a little warmth, and specific reasons you care about the work.
- More casual / creative version:
- For creative, social impact, or youth‑serving orgs, you might lean more into your voice while keeping it respectful and focused.
Instead of “Is this ‘right’?” ask, “Does this match how I want to sound for this opportunity?”
Align
Let the letter match the workplace you want
Remember:
- Some workplaces still expect heavy code switching.
- Others are more open to diverse voices and communication styles.
Your cover letter can be a small test:
- If they’re turned off by a human, well‑structured letter that uses clear, natural language instead of stiff corporate phrases, that might be useful data about fit.
"Authenticity is the daily practice of letting go of who we think we’re supposed to be and embracing who we are." – Brené Brown
Take a moment to reflect on the five reflection questions below:
- Where do YOU notice code switching showing up in YOUr life—school, work, interviews, group chats, family?
- What "professional" voices or rules are YOU hearing in your head, and where did they come from?
- What parts of YOUr identity (first‑gen, BIPOC, low‑income, queer, neurodivergent, etc.) feel powerful to mention in a cover letter, and what parts feel too exposed for certain roles?
- If YOU got hired based on your current cover letter draft, would the person they think they’re hiring actually feel like YOU?
- What would a cover letter that feels both authentic and professional look and sound like?
“Deal with yourself as an individual worthy of respect, and make everyone else deal with you the same way.” – Nikki Giovanni
Click on the dropdowns below to see the easy action items:
Do one of these things TODAY 👇
- Draft a "you" paragraph: Write one paragraph explaining why you’re interested in a role you like, using the voice you’d use with a trusted professor, mentor, or supervisor. Don’t edit yet.
- Make a code-switching choice on purpose: Reread that paragraph and pick: one phrase you’ll keep exactly as is because it sounds like you, and one you’ll tweak slightly to feel more professional.
- Create a tiny cover letter checklist: List 3 things every cover should know about you. One value, one strength, and one piece of your voice.
Say one (or all) of these affirmations out loud 👇
- “I deserve to sound like myself and still be seen as professional.”
- “I can choose how much I code switch instead of doing it on autopilot.”
- “My story and my skills both matter in a cover letter.”
- “I am allowed to share only what feels safe and right for me.”
- “My voice is an asset, not a problem to hide.”
Channel that feeling 👇
Feeling overwhelmed? Switch tasks completely for a bit. Do something simple and hands‑on (laundry, dishes, tidying) and let your brain rest from cover letter mode.
Feeling disconnected? Play a podcast, interview, or playlist from someone who shares your background. Let their voice remind you there are many ways to sound “professional.”
Feeling drained? Call a “no big decisions” timeout for the rest of the day. Jot ideas in a notes app and come back to them tomorrow with more energy.
Some vibes to close us out
Code switching is not a character flaw, it’s a survival skill people developed in systems that weren’t built for all of us.
You get to choose how you show up on the page.
Not every detail of your identity has to go into every application, and not every space has earned access to your full voice.
You deserve to write in a way that feels like you on purpose, not disappear to fit someone else’s idea of “professional.”
YOU got this. 💭✨
Happy Black History Month! ✊🏾
Sources
- "Code-switching prevalent among Black people and other workers of color." HR-Brew (2024).
- "How to Write a Cover Letter Gen Z Style and Why You Need It." MentorShelly (2025).
- "Code-switching at work: the double lives of racial minorities" Welcome to the Jungle (2024).
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