Covering Letters

DCFC79

I only send a cover letter if one is asked for, same with cv's as some job ads say cv's will not be accepted so you fill in the application form,

scooby088

I always send a covering letter with a cv but never with an application form, cant see the point really as all the answers have been given in the form.

DCFC79

scooby088 wrote: »

I always send a covering letter with a cv but never with an application form, cant see the point really as all the answers have been given in the form.

ive had a few jobs where all 3 have been requested, yes odd i know but its what they wanted sent

dickydonkin

ableandy wrote: »

I recently advertised for 20 operators and received 450 applcation forms so was very strict with my filter criteria, received a very nice letter asking why and was more than happy to offer advice, I guess everyone my not have time but it is worth a try.

In such a position as an 'Operator', without seeming too derogatory, it is very possible that many excellent and proficient operators would have been 'filtered out' because spelling, grammar or indeed failure to use the correct sort of paper would have resulted in their applications being thrown in the bin.

In many such applications, it would be likely someone else has filled in the application form anyway so despite the person having seemingly sent in a word perfect application which may progress to the next stage, that is not a true reflection of that persons abilities and I suspect many good people have been sifted out because of over zealous selecting. Surely, you cannot use the same sifting criteria for an 'Operator' and a Line Manager for example.

If the applications are for a role where such good grammar/spelling etc. would be part and parcel of the job, then fair enough, a strict screening process should be deployed.

Often it is completed by partner/mother/friend, not fully completed and so goes straight in the bin.

Mckneff: Out of curiosity, how do you know who has filled in the forms? Has the partner/mother/friend actually signed the application form or this is assumed prior to throwing it in the bin?

Voyager2002

McKneff wrote: »

All formal letters should be addressed Dear Sirs

You are writing to the company, not any individual in particular, its just etiquette, thats all

The same etiquette that rules that if you start a letter 'dear sirs' you end it with 'yours faithfully' and
if you start with 'dear john or dear mr smith, then you finish with ' yours sincerely' again, just etiquette.

If your colleagues get annoyed at this then why do they/you call them selves managers and not manageressess .........

Back when I was at Grammar School, I was taught to begin this kind of letter "Dear Sir (or Madam)".

Nowadays I would begin "Dear Sir/Madam"

A failure to acknowledge that the manager receiving the letter may well be female is simple bad manners, and marks you out as the kind of old f**t who does not belong in the modern work-place.

Voyager2002

albionsarah wrote: »

Yes I know 'Dear Sir' is CORRECT but I was just giving my opinion that it used to annoy me!

I liked those that somehow (?) found out my name and addressed it to 'Miss XXXXX', I thought it showed a bit of initiative.

And why we call ourselves managers is probably just laziness - 'manageresses' is a bit of a mouthful isn't it?

Hope the OP has some success with their jobhunting soon! x

Yes, it is good practice to find out the name of the person and use it for your application.

Voyager2002

McKneff wrote: »

There really is no point in a covering letter unless it is specifically asked for.
All the information is usually on the application form, even a space normally asking you why you would like to work for them and asking for any further information that would support your application.

What you say would seem to be common sense...

However, I was once denied an interview for a position for which I was well-qualified, to be employed by a university where I was a student. I wrote asking for an explanation, and was told that it was because I had not submitted a letter of application along with the form. Needless to say, I had fully completed the application form and had included on it all the information and explanations that would otherwise have gone in the letter.

I would never apply for anything without including some kind of covering letter.

SueC_2

Again I find myself fascinated by how many varying opinions these boards generate, and in so many cases there is no absolute right or wrong.

For me though, an application form should ALWAYS be accompanied by a covering letter. In my opinion it:

- Shows you are prepared to do a little extra than is strictly necessary.

- Provides an opportunity to get a bit of your personality across - which I think is just as important as stating your technical abilities.

- Allows you to supplement your application with anything you think pertinent that may not be easily accommodated within the confines of the application form itself.

Clearly not everyone feels the same, and some people put the letter straight in the bin. But does anyone actually 'mark down' a candidate for including a letter? If not, I would still stick by my opinion that you should absolutely include one, it may have a positive effect, or it may have no effect, but it is unlikely to have a negative effect (although the contents of it may if, as already pointed out, it is badly written, mis-spelled, written on toilet paper etc).

DCFC79

SueC wrote: »

Again I find myself fascinated by how many varying opinions these boards generate, and in so many cases there is no absolute right or wrong.

For me though, an application form should ALWAYS be accompanied by a covering letter. In my opinion it:

- Shows you are prepared to do a little extra than is strictly necessary.

- Provides an opportunity to get a bit of your personality across - which I think is just as important as stating your technical abilities.

- Allows you to supplement your application with anything you think pertinent that may not be easily accommodated within the confines of the application form itself.

Clearly not everyone feels the same, and some people put the letter straight in the bin. But does anyone actually 'mark down' a candidate for including a letter? If not, I would still stick by my opinion that you should absolutely include one, it may have a positive effect, or it may have no effect, but it is unlikely to have a negative effect (although the contents of it may if, as already pointed out, it is badly written, mis-spelled, written on toilet paper etc).

like i say if the ad states a covering letter then i include 1 but if it isnt stated then i dont send 1 as i would rather show i read the job ad and be in with a chance of an interview