I am shocked by how many people don't send a covering letter with their CV

SuzieSue

I have just advertised a vacancy at my company on Monster.

I have received over a 100 CVs in 4 hours, but I am shocked by how many people do not send a covering letter with their CV and if they do, how they do not highlight how their skills and experience are relevant.

Many of the candidates have said that they are very interested in the vacancy but do not tell me why they are interested.

One person told me in their covering letter that they want a career in sales when the vacancy has nothing to do with sales.

Admitedly, the vacancy is for a clerical position, however if I was looking for a job, I would ensure that I sent a covering letter detailing why I should be considered for the vacancy and amend my CV if necessary.

I haven't been involved in recruitment for over 10 years, so perhaps I am out of touch.

What do other people think? Am I being unreasonable expecting people to spend time over their job applications or it is now acceptable to just fire off a CV without any thought?

925dancer

I do think covering letters are important, especially if explicitly asked for them but having waded through hundreds of applications myself before, the first thing I looked at was the CV for the experience and qualifications needed, that's the most important thing for me.

If I'm left with a glut of applicants after the first sift through then I will rely more on their covering letter.

Now I'm back to being the one applying, I do attach a covering letter and the degree of detail depends on the vacancy and whether it is through an agency or not.

I would hope though that my CV would do the best job of showing my skills and experience and the covering letter a happy weeding out bonus!

ohreally

Many organisations do not accept cv's nowadays (which i agree with). Why not use an applcation form?

SuzieSue

925dancer wrote: »

I would hope though that my CV would do the best job of showing my skills and experience and the covering letter a happy weeding out bonus!

Thanks, yes, I haven't got the time to read through over a 100 CVs so I am going to start with the people who have sent a reasonable covering letter.

SuzieSue

ohreally wrote: »

Many organisations do not accept cv's nowadays (which i agree with). Why not use an applcation form?

I am quite happy to accept CVs, but I expect people to tell me why I should look at their CV, especially as it is an employer's market and I would have thought most people will realise that I will be swamped by responses.

If it was a candidate's market and I received very few CVs then it wouldn't be so important as I would have the time to look at them all, but even so, I would be more inclined to interview anyone who had gone the extra mile.

Vincent_Buenisedes

A disagree - a swift email should be sufficient and if more details are required the candidate should be invited to an interview.

ohreally

SuzieSue wrote: »

I am quite happy to accept CVs

I kinda figured that from the initial post - question is, in this day and age, why are you content to accept cv's rather than issue an application form document?
Most job seekers are unlikely to have a good understanding of discrimination/ equality issues and this is likely to scream out from their cv.

SuzieSue

Vincent_Buenisedes wrote: »

A disagree - a swift email should be sufficient and if more details are required the candidate should be invited to an interview.

But, when I am swamped with applications it isn't possible to call everyone for interview.

SuzieSue

ohreally wrote: »

I kinda figured that from the initial post - question is, in this day and age, why are you content to accept cv's rather than issue an application form document?
Most job seekers are unlikely to have a good understanding of discrimination/ equality issues and this is likely to scream out from their cv.

Not sure what you mean by your last point? Why would it matter whether job seekers had an understanding of these issues? The employer can provide training courses if necessary.

brightonman123

is there option for a cover letter, on monster?

SuzieSue

brightonman123 wrote: »

is there option for a cover letter, on monster?

yes there is