Covering letter for job with no person specification

LisaB85

In the paper today there was a job advertised at a solicitors for a receptionist/secretary. The advert states the hours and where to send the CV but no such job description or person specification.

Would it be wise to email asking for a person specification, if not what shall I put in my covering letter as I'm not sure what they are looking for.

McKneff

The etiquette is to address the letter

Dear Sirs, as you are actually writing to the company not an individual

And finish with Yours faithfully.

LisaB85

McKneff wrote: »

The etiquette is to address the letter

Dear Sirs, as you are actually writing to the company not an individual

And finish with Yours faithfully.

I don't have a specification so they have not told me what IT skills or experience the require so I don't want to bombard them with all my skills.

Is it correct etiquette to email the person dealing with recruitment and ask for this information?

McKneff

No harm in doing so, but if you have skills you should let them know what skills you have.

I dont think they will feel bombarded, i would have thought you were being thorough and really pushing yourself for this job.
And my apologies, I misread your first post, Friday, worked hard this week (at what youre applying for funnily enough) major tired.

Good luck with the job.

LisaB85

McKneff wrote: »

No harm in doing so, but if you have skills you should let them know what skills you have.

I dont think they will feel bombarded, i would have thought you were being thorough and really pushing yourself for this job.
And my apologies, I misread your first post, Friday, worked hard this week (at what youre applying for funnily enough) major tired.

Good luck with the job.

Thank you :-) it's only part time but hope to lead on to more hours.

Thank god it's Friday eh, thank you for your help (very cute avatar too) x

smileylondongal

LisaB85 wrote: »

Thank you :-) it's only part time but hope to lead on to more hours.

Thank god it's Friday eh, thank you for your help (very cute avatar too) x

I'm really surprised that they've placed the ad with no hint of skills etc. or what they're looking for! How on earth are you supposed to customise your CV or covering letter?

I would definitely call the recruiter and ask for a job description - they shouldn't feel harrassed as it's in their best interest that you're informed and they get the right person for the job.

Best of luck!

purplepardalis

Law firms often prefer to take on people with previous legal experience or training. Especially to become a secretary due to particular document output. Have you worked for a solicitor before?

LisaB85

purplepardalis wrote: »

Law firms often prefer to take on people with previous legal experience or training. Especially to become a secretary due to particular document output. Have you worked for a solicitor before?

No I haven't but they don't specify that experience is needed so surely that shows it isn't that important.

What I don't get is all these employers asking for experience, how do people get experience in the first place?

purplepardalis

Well, I've worked in legal for years so maybe I can help you with your covering letter. If you can highlight the following in your experience it'll help with your application,

Dictation transcribing. Either tape or digital using a footpedal
In depth understanding of MS Word and it's templates. Particularly letter templates and setting out documents using legal headings and styles.
If it's a large firm they may use a document management system such as Filesite or Documentum. If it's a small firm you'll need to name, file and version documents manually using native Windows file structure.
Any understanding of a legal discipline, e.g Property law, dispute resolution, wills, tax
Email system will most usually be Outlook although some firms may use Groupwise. If you can use Outlook that will be fine. You'll have to manage the calendars and inboxes of the lawyers you'll look after.
You may need to understand billing. Lawyers bill by time - usually in 6 minute segments.

Think about how your experience fits in with this and research what you don't know. You can always mention that you 'have knowledge of' even if you don't have the experience. Good luck! Working in legal can be really rewarding, oh and two last things, forms and filing.....
Using precedents and standard legal forms

Manual paper filing. Lawyers love paper