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Cover letters, and you.

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SSSnail

SSSnail

Lifer
So how do you write your cover letter? Do you try to inject some humor into it or strictly business and professional? I guess you can say it depends on the job. How long do you write it? Do you include all your experience or just relevance to the job applying? Do you think a cover letter should be a reflection of you? Yes?

I don't have answers, just questions. I'm part of the problem.
 
I absolutely hate cover letters. They serve no purpose other than to frustrate potential applicants by making them ask those very same questions. Turns out most interviewers generally don't even look at them. Go figure.

Unless a cover letter is explicitly required for consideration toward a position, I generally don't use one other than an informal blurb that says (generalized): "Hey, found your listing, I match your qualifications. Here's my resume, give me a call if you like what you see."
 
Here's how I did mine. It's probably terrible!

One short paragraph: This is the job I'm applying for and here's how I heard about it. This is also where I'd name drop

One paragraph: Connecting the dots on the parts of my resume that are most applicable to why I'm awesome for this job

One short paragraph: Availability

Three bulleted sentences: Three relevant skills corresponding to the job listing

One short paragraph: Contact info and pleasantries

 
I'm unemployed so take my advice with a grain of salt but I've been at this a couple months and have tweaked a couple things. First I almost always try to include something specific to the company, even if I use the same basic letter. I also make a point to not phrase the letter like I am looking for a job, but that I am an employee ready to work for them. So instead of "currently seeking a position as a" I will say "available to start immediately as a" this goes along with my premise of being a product to be sold to them rather than telling them I want a job.

One thing that worked and got me my first interview at a real job was something really corny. In their ad they said they were something like a 'fun, fast-paced, and growing' company, so I included in my letter 'Just like Company X, I am fun, fast-paced, and growing.' I did it more for my own amusement but it got me a call back. I think the lesson from that one is it helps to have something that makes you stand out, even just a little bit.

edit: also I keep them short Like the first paragraph of this post plus a closing one-sentence paragraph would be my longest.
 
I hate cover letters. However, they can provide the ability to emphasize, or provide better detail about some the the experience listed on your resume. Ultimately, they provide a way for you to distinguish yourself from the rest of the applicants, or make up for shortcomings on your resume.

From a hiring standpoint, they're definitely a useful tool for filtering out applicants that have no grasp on grammar, spelling, etc..
 
I like writing cover letters as it gives me an opportunity to indicate my philosophy about the job I do. I'm passed the point of just looking for a bigger paycheck. If I work for a company, I want to know they appreciate at least some of what makes me do what I do and, what I expect from them.
 
I keep mine professional.

I just say something "I think I'd be a good candidate because of my experience doing x,y,z" I don't go into everything, just apply whatever applies to the specific job. I also list other interests of mine which might apply to the job. If the job says "Leading Edge Software." So I say I have experience in Leading Edge Software such as the latest Office, or tools which they use.

I then say that I'd like to make what salary I was getting at my previous job (asking for Salary amounts from a previous reference is illegal and most HR departments will not tell a new employee anything regarding that) but I pad it alittle so I can get a bit of a raise out of it, but mention you are willing to negotiate.

Then say in my final paragraph that I've included a copy of my resume which provides a detailed description of my education and employment history. I would welcome any opportunity to talk to you more or any other position which I may be qualified for. Don't hesitate to contact me at any time regarding this.

FYI, I've been hired by said company everytime I use a cover letter. If you just send a resume, they just get thrown on a pile because most HR departments don't know the lingo, the acronyms that you may use, but if you just use simple english and get to the point, they say "Hey this guy looks good" and forwards the resume to the appropriate manager/supervisor and it gets looked at which does know the lingo and acronyms.
 
Lol, yes, add some humor into it. In fact, just go ahead and toss in 30 minutes worth of stand up you've been working on .
 
A good cover letter is essential. It's how you draw attention to your specific experience or skills that are relevant to the position or specific industry. For example if you have been working in manufacturing sector as opposed to healthcare sector point that out. Also you make it VERY clear that you are submitting your resume for consideration for such and such job.
 
Could someone PM a simple cover they have used? I'm trying to revamp mine but I'm stuck with tunnel vision. I think mine is too long and a bit generic sounding to be honest.
 
A cover letter is very important - it shows that you know enough about business and society to craft a professional cover letter. Professional is the goal here.

Most important is the things that'll get your resume thrown out. First, make sure you spell the name of the company you're applying to correctly (and don't accidentally send a cover letter for Company A to Company B). Second, all other spellings, grammar, punctuation etc. Third, this is not the place to be cute or silly - unless you're applying for a cute and silly job. Also, odd colors of paper, pictures, fancy envelopes, gimmicks etc - the things people do to stand out - don't do them.

 
Originally posted by: SunnyD
I absolutely hate cover letters. They serve no purpose other than to frustrate potential applicants by making them ask those very same questions. Turns out most interviewers generally don't even look at them. Go figure.

Unless a cover letter is explicitly required for consideration toward a position, I generally don't use one other than an informal blurb that says (generalized): "Hey, found your listing, I match your qualifications. Here's my resume, give me a call if you like what you see."
Click to expand...

Considering 80% of recruiters say that a cover letter is essential, I would venture to say your full of BS.

Edit: Not to mention that 76% of those recruiters said they wouldn't even consider a applicant with errors in their cover letter.
 
Originally posted by: SacrosanctFiend
Considering 80% of recruiters say that a cover letter is essential, I would venture to say your full of BS.

Edit: Not to mention that 76% of those recruiters said they wouldn't even consider a applicant with errors in their cover letter.
Click to expand...

Hi 'fiend!
It looks like you aren't getting your PMs so I need to stalk you in forum threads like this .

This is just to remind you that you still need to take care of your donation matching pledge for Childs Play 2008, so I hope the mods won't view this as calling you out.

 
Hate cover letters and always get stuck writing them. I've tried humor, truth, passion and straight up ass kissing; still nothing. The one thing that's always gotten me the job is my resume and experience. Unfortunately, I have the wrong experience for the type of job I want.
 
People, believe it or not the ability to write a business letter is still a required skill. Proper formatting and everything. That's what a cover letter is - official business communication. If you can't follow protocol with a simple business document why would a business want to hire you?

Even if you are hired you will have to craft other business documents, full business letter format (E-mail is no good). If you can't even do this basic task then why should you even be considered?

There is still protocol to conducting business and if you don't know how to, your loss.
 
Originally posted by: b0mbrman
Here's how I did mine. It's probably terrible!

One short paragraph: This is the job I'm applying for and here's how I heard about it. This is also where I'd name drop

One paragraph: Connecting the dots on the parts of my resume that are most applicable to why I'm awesome for this job

One short paragraph: Availability

Three bulleted sentences: Three relevant skills corresponding to the job listing

One short paragraph: Contact info and pleasantries
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

There is a reason you are applying to that specific job notice with those specific requirements. Tell me how your skills and interests fit that job with those requirements.

What is it that you want a potential employer to know about you that cannot be communicated within the confines of a resume?
 
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