Cover letters

[TB4000]

What do your cover letters consist of, for those that are currently in the market for new employment? Do you just repeat your resume verbatim, or do you add things or remove things? I normally include a cover letter with each resume, but when I'm applying online, like at monster.com, I just send the resume sans cover letter because I think it's faster that way, and if they're advertising online they aren't really looking to read a life story, only to see if your traits match what they want.

[Craig]

Always send a cover letter. What my letters consist of depends on what they state in the job requirements, and what out of my background I think may be of interest to the potential employer. I do not repeat my resume verbatim, and do not include things that are not on my resume. Change your resume to match the perceived employer wants.

While it may be faster to not send the cover letter, the people doing the hiring also know that; If you were going through a stack of potential applicants, and you saw some didn't take the time to send a cover letter, which ones would you more likely interview; Which ones do you think most people would interview ?

No, they aren't looking for a life story, but they may be looking for the person who took the time to catch their attention. Also, there is a strong possibility that you will have to catch their attention quickly.

[ism]

Make it stand out. It's a good place to expand your objective. What kind of place you want to work for, and why you're a good fit for that place. Say something that shows you know about that company and that it's not a stock letter. It could edge you over the zillion other applicants.

Resumes look too similar once you get more than five. I've been there, evaluating them, for a technical position. The same terms tossed around gets boring, and they really do all look the same. Unless you're going for something related to design, there's not a lot of leeway in designing your resume to make it stand out that won't get it tossed out immediately, either. The cover letter is your only other chance.

In terms of monster, where you don't know who is looking at it, it's still a good idea to include a general one. Just don't sound too desperate (which means don't make it [I]too{/I] general). Make it semi-focused, describing what kind of place you want to work for and why it would work out. It's a car salesman's pitch, whereas a resume is the invoice sticker with all the options listed on it.

[SynRG]

Wasn't there another cover letters thread? Or have I been smoking too much..

[yoMAMA]

i hate writing cover letters.......u gotta do a new one for each company that u are searching...... :tongue:

[TB4000]

This is the basic template I use for cover letters, and this is for a spot I just recently applied for. If anyone has some suggestions, I would appreciate it.



Dear Ms. Hanson,


As I am certain you are well aware, care and conservation of Indiana University Northwest’s nursing student records database is a crucial cog in your machine. Without proper care, any minute error can immediately be a cause for concern. Your advertisement requesting a student records specialist caught my interest, as I feel that the expertise and drive I have to succeed would be a perfect fit to this position.
As a current management information systems major and employee of Purdue University Calumet as a PC consultant and technician and former registration assistant, I have garnered 4 plus years experience in many aspects of information technology and student/faculty body customer relations, including database maintenance and structure. Though at the beginning I had only basic knowledge, I have managed to learn a great deal in my time here, and have learned to use this knowledge to its fullest. When attempting to choose an individual for this position, please keep the following in mind:

- advanced proficiency in all aspects of Microsoft Windows/iMac operating systems ranging from 98 to XP, including Microsoft Office Suites and their derivatives

- 2 + years experience installing/troubleshooting Novell/Netware network server applications, hardware and software in Purdue University Calumet offices

- 3 years experience Banner 2000 student/faculty record database maintenance

- 2 years experience issuing PC technical support to more than 200 members of Purdue University Calumet’s student/faculty population daily

- provided support to Purdue University Calumet’s Enrollment Service Center with weekly and monthly student record reports, providing customer service to students and staff, as well as providing assistance in aspects of admissions and student accounts


Your department’s nursing students are an integral part of your operation, and should be treated as such. I am certain that my skills would give me the chance to showcase this to the fullest, and would appreciate any opportunity you would give to allow me to do so. I will contact you within several days to discuss this position further at your convenience. Thank you for your time.




Sincerely,


Terrence I.

[Craig]

too verbose

[TB4000]

too verbose
OK, pretend for a minute that I understood that obviously ironic two word critique :tongue:

Any advice as to how it can be altered? Give me your definition of verbose as opposed to something lesser, but with just as much information.

[Craig]

OK, pretend for a minute that I understood that obviously ironic two word critique :tongue:

Any advice as to how it can be altered? Give me your definition of verbose as opposed to something lesser, but with just as much information.
Ok, what you wrote is too long. Plus, the sentences you wrote are also wordy. Pick what you think is most important to them, highlight it quickly to lead them into reading your resume. Most places get a plethora of applications, and many will be scanned quite quickly (if at all). Only write a lot in a situation where you know what you are writing will keep their attention.

[kitty]

I'm better with resumes than with cover letters, but my initial feeling is that it's not ttoo verbose. Keep in mind that the forums make paragraphs look more wordy than they actually are. I would suggest making the diction a little more formal -- while you're looking for a job with Ms. Hanson, you're not her good friend. There's a sentence or two you could cut/re-word, but I'll send you an edited draft when I get home.

Also, i've never seen one that used bullets. Is this acceptable? I look at cover letters as like a mini mini interview -- explaining something of interest in the resume rather than re-listing something that can be found there. Depending on what youre resume looks like, you could maybe toss the bullets -- but maybe jose has some insight here since he has been on the receiving end in the past.

[Kennyb]

You're covering letter it too long there TB4000. I don't know how it is in the States but in UK, all covering letters should not be more than 4 paragraph long.

Here is an idea of how you can structure it:

1st paragraph - Brief explanation about yourself, what is your current education level and what position you are interested in applying for.

2nd paragraph - Describe your strengths and how they relate to the job you are applying to with reasons.

3rd paragraph - Explain why you want to work for the company and how it will affect you and the employees.

4th paragraph - Finishing paragraph saying that attach is my CV and other sentences to help suck up for an interview.

Hope that helps.

[DEEPCRIMSON]

I work as a contractor and it never hurts to know how to write good letter.

[wetheril]

I have a general format for the cover letter I follow, and each time I applied to a job, I just changed it to better fit the particular job I was applying to. It isn't difficult to write a good cover letter once you've finished your first one.

[ahsingjai]

4th paragraph - Finishing paragraph saying that attach is my CV and other sentences to help suck up for an interview.

Hope that helps.

Oh man, I'm going to get stuck for hours here.

What's CV?

[Kennyb]

^ CV - Curriculum Vitae. In other words, it's your resume.