Question about cover letters

[AmdEmAll]

Im moving to Florida and getting out of the hell hole that is Michigan.

Haven't applied for a job in some time but are Cover Letters necessary if they don't ask for one?

I just got done updating my resume.

I will be focusing on Computer Repair jobs but it could be anything from refueling jets at the local airport to taking pictures for a real estate company. (couple jobs I showed interest in lol)

None of them said to have a cover letter but im thinking I should.

Any tips?

 

[EagleKeeper]

Never hurts. Allows you to target your experience to the position

 

[AmdEmAll]

Never hurts. Allows you to target your experience to the position

Alright i'll make one for each one I send out. Thanks

Just wasn't sure if some places wouldnt like to see one.

 

[Corporate Thug]

Im moving to Florida and getting out of the hell hole that is Michigan.

Haven't applied for a job in some time but are Cover Letters necessary if they don't ask for one?

I just got done updating my resume.

I will be focusing on Computer Repair jobs but it could be anything from refueling jets at the local airport to taking pictures for a real estate company. (couple jobs I showed interest in lol)

None of them said to have a cover letter but im thinking I should.

Any tips?

It really depends on the employer. In my current job, my boss told me one of the reasons that set me apart was the fact that I sent in a cover letter when one was not requested so it suggested to him I was more serious about landing the job than others. Now, we are looking to hire another employee and he doesn't even read the cover letters because he does not have time. Worst case scenario, they toss the letter...can't hurt though.

 

[dave_the_nerd]

Yeah, write a cover letter for each application, and tailor it to the job.

Also, take notes in the interview, have some thank you notes in the car; fill out one for each person interviewing you and drop them in a mailbox on your way home from the interview.

At the end of the interview, they always ask if you have any questions: ask at least one about something mentioned in the interview (so, tell me more about your expansion plans?), but prepare the rest in advance. Don't quote them verbatim from the advice website where you found them - tailor them to the circumstance.

So, whereabouts in MI are you leaving? (I left in '03 for grad school in MN, but stayed here because it's colder and there's an economy.)

 

[Leros]

I think its pretty important. A cover letter tailored to the opening makes me think that the applicant is actually interested in the position and not just blasting resumes. I feel like I get a better feel for the person from the cover letter whereas the resume just gives me a list of skills and accomplishments.

 

[nanette1985]

back when I was still a boss, the cover letter was a serious part of the decision. For one thing, it shows that you know how to write a cover letter. For another thing, it gives you a chance to show some enthusiasm for the job.

Best to you.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Cover Letter for me is important if I magically find a job at a certain place that makes me go "OH MY F--ING GOD I WANT MY JOB THERE!". Eeeexcept I haven't seen that in quite some time.

My point right now is shooting fish in a barrel and hoping someone grabs my resume. If for some reason I find a place that has a magical utopia position with an employer that actually deserves respect. THAT - is when I actually write a cover letter.



Un-related opinion: If I was a manager - cover letters in general are so much copy-paste sucking up that personally I would NEVER factor them in. Such bullshit, might as well take a slow stroking handjob under the table over the crap people give for cover letters

 

[AmdEmAll]

So, whereabouts in MI are you leaving? (I left in '03 for grad school in MN, but stayed here because it's colder and there's an economy.)

Living in Plymouth with my parents still. Between the shit weather.. the shit roads, and the shit economy in MI.. im done with it. The people are all miserable too.. for a reason.

At least in Florida I will have the beach and nice weather. It has its issues too but I think it will be better.

 

[sjwaste]

FWIW, I read every cover letter that I get. In many cases, it helps explain someone's motivation for a position, or how their skills are transferrable/applicable if it's not an obvious move. I've recently been in a situation where I've had two very similar resumes, one person wrote a cover letter and the other didn't. The person that wrote a cover letter got further consideration, the one without didn't - mostly because I was on the fence for both and one person bothered to tell me why they were interested and how their skills applied.

Writing a cover letter can never hurt you unless you're an awful writer. If you're a terrible writer, work on that.

 

[Newbian]

Living in Plymouth with my parents still. Between the shit weather.. the shit roads, and the shit economy in MI.. im done with it. The people are all miserable too.. for a reason.

At least in Florida I will have the beach and nice weather. It has its issues too but I think it will be better.

Nice weather is one thing but the high heat and humidity there is another thing for long parts of the year.

Especially coming from a northern state it will be some time before you can survive outside longer then a hour.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I always find it hard to decide too especially since resumes tend to be sent by email, and you're not going to just send a blank email so the email is sorta like a cover letter I guess. Though what I do is make the email short and sweet and still include a cover letter.

 

[Udgnim]

hate writing cover letters but you should always submit one unless explicitly told not to because it at least separates you from the people that only submit their resume

 

[AmdEmAll]

I always find it hard to decide too especially since resumes tend to be sent by email, and you're not going to just send a blank email so the email is sorta like a cover letter I guess. Though what I do is make the email short and sweet and still include a cover letter.

Yeah I emailed two resumes and made the email into basically a cover letter. If they still wanted a cover letter attached.. well thats just dumb imo.

 

[grrl]

FWIW, I read every cover letter that I get. In many cases, it helps explain someone's motivation for a position, or how their skills are transferrable/applicable if it's not an obvious move. I've recently been in a situation where I've had two very similar resumes, one person wrote a cover letter and the other didn't. The person that wrote a cover letter got further consideration, the one without didn't - mostly because I was on the fence for both and one person bothered to tell me why they were interested and how their skills applied.

Writing a cover letter can never hurt you unless you're an awful writer. If you're a terrible writer, work on that.

Exactly. A good cover letter helps separate the more serious candidates who have both read and understand the job posting and those like s0me0nesmind1 who are just throwing shit at the wall to see what sticks. If an applicant can't connect their skills with the job's needs in the cover letter, I'm not interested in interviewing them.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

Exactly. A good cover letter helps separate the more serious candidates who have both read and understand the job posting and those like s0me0nesmind1 who are just throwing shit at the wall to see what sticks. If an applicant can't connect their skills with the job's needs in the cover letter, I'm not interested in interviewing them.

Don't get me wrong, read my post. I understand the importance of writing a cover letter when it's actually an amazing job that points to exactly what you are looking for.

The problem is the rarity of that - and sadly having to settle for something less.

 

[Tweak155]

Living in Plymouth with my parents still. Between the shit weather.. the shit roads, and the shit economy in MI.. im done with it. The people are all miserable too.. for a reason.

At least in Florida I will have the beach and nice weather. It has its issues too but I think it will be better.

That's interesting as Plymouth is generally a really nice area (I take it you're not near the $500k houses?)... But yeah the roads & weather are unavoidable.

I live in Rochester Hills and I quite like it myself. But if I didn't have family in Michigan I'd consider moving.

As far as the economy goes, though, that hasn't been an issue for the last year or so. I have 0 issues finding a new job within a month (just turned down an offer 2 weeks ago actually).

 

[grrl]

Don't get me wrong, read my post. I understand the importance of writing a cover letter when it's actually an amazing job that points to exactly what you are looking for.

The problem is the rarity of that - and sadly having to settle for something less.

But you can safely assume others feel the same way, so if you do send a cover letter, you improve your chances. If you absolutely don't want the job, why even bother applying? Plus, even if the job isn't ideal, you really have no way of knowing what opportunities may come up once you start working somewhere. Maybe a good motto would be, aim high, start lower.

 

[Farang]

In the jobs you are targeting, it's more who you know than what you know. That's because it sounds you're targeting things that don't have too many hard requirements so the hiring manager is forced to pick out of a large pool.

A cover letter is sometimes a difference maker in this case, but it's sort of like comparing a feather to a brick in terms of weight when compared with knowing who is hiring.

So another focus of yours should be to connect with people who are hiring in the industry you're interested in. Show up to networking events, lectures, etc.

This is assuming you're somewhat presentable. And don't come off as desperate, just be in the right place at the right time

 

[AmdEmAll]

That's interesting as Plymouth is generally a really nice area (I take it you're not near the $500k houses?)... But yeah the roads & weather are unavoidable.

I live in Rochester Hills and I quite like it myself. But if I didn't have family in Michigan I'd consider moving.

As far as the economy goes, though, that hasn't been an issue for the last year or so. I have 0 issues finding a new job within a month (just turned down an offer 2 weeks ago actually).

Family is from Florida and we all want to leave so im hoping that i'll be the first one that drags them back to Florida. Also i've been so damn depressed for the last year that I haven't even looked for a job so maybe it is better. And Plymouth is very nice.. just sick of the whole area in general. Grew up going to Florida all the time to visit grandparents, going on their boats fishing all the time. Best memories of my life.

 

[s0me0nesmind1]

In the jobs you are targeting, it's more who you know than what you know. That's because it sounds you're targeting things that don't have too many hard requirements so the hiring manager is forced to pick out of a large pool.

A cover letter is sometimes a difference maker in this case, but it's sort of like comparing a feather to a brick in terms of weight when compared with knowing who is hiring.

So another focus of yours should be to connect with people who are hiring in the industry you're interested in. Show up to networking events, lectures, etc.

This is assuming you're somewhat presentable. And don't come off as desperate, just be in the right place at the right time

Fo shizzle. This right hur folks will weigh 10 billion times more than some shitty copy pasta cover letter that HR has seen over and over and over again.