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

SueC_2

emmaanddave wrote: »

I agree with another poster that you can not just judge someone based on the fact they have not sent in a covering letter.

Is that now also included in the recognised grounds for discrimination?

SuzieSue

emmaanddave wrote: »

My last couple of jobs I have applied through Reed's website and not included a covering letter and got the jobs! However, if sending direct to employer from a newspaper advert etc I would def send in a covering letter.

I agree with another poster that you can not just judge someone based on the fact they have not sent in a covering letter.

Where did you advertise? If it is somewhere like Reed.com then many people presume when applying their CV goes direct to other agencies.

Completely agree that there is no need to send a covering letter when applying to agencies although it only takes a few minutes to highlight your skills and suitability for the position.

I advertised on Monster and it was obvious that it wasn't via an agency.

SuzieSue

emmaanddave wrote: »

I agree with another poster that you can not just judge someone based on the fact they have not sent in a covering letter.

Perhaps not, but at the moment with 200 CVs in front of me, that is the only way I can judge them at the moment. If I am not happy with the people who have sent covering letters then I will have to consider the others.

emmaanddave

What job are you advertising?

SuzieSue

emmaanddave wrote: »

What job are you advertising?

A clerical position.

hcb42

A covering letter IS your application...ok good advice is to tailor the CV for different vacancies, but the covering letter is the only chance to match skills and experience to the recruiter. At this stage the objective is to shine out among 200 similar applicants and get an interview.

Not doing a good tailored letter is simply foolish, or shows a total disinterest in the role or company.

hcb42

SueC wrote: »

Is that now also included in the recognised grounds for discrimination?

LOL, no thankfully, as it is a test as to whether people can follow simple instructions in a lot of cases. It is amazing how many people do not follow the instructions in a job ad.

SuzieSue

hcb42 wrote: »

A covering letter IS your application...ok good advice is to tailor the CV for different vacancies, but the covering letter is the only chance to match skills and experience to the recruiter. At this stage the objective is to shine out among 200 similar applicants and get an interview.

Not doing a good tailored letter is simply foolish, or shows a total disinterest in the role or company.

Thank you. That is exactly my point of view. Why is it that the 150 people who have applied for the vacancy without a covering letter don't think this?

SuzieSue

hcb42 wrote: »

Not doing a good tailored letter is simply foolish, or shows a total disinterest in the role or company.

This is exactly how I feel when I receive a CV without a covering letter, I actually feel disappointed that the person doesn't really care if they get the job or not.

Torry_Quine

If you want a covering letter then it should say so in the application. If it just says send in your CV then why would I include information which should be in the CV. Disagree that more jobs are application forms, the person I know who is currently applying for jobs had never even had a CV but was told that it was essential now and they have needed it on several occassions.

I think application forms are preferable.