Application for Admin / receptionist

Southend1

sniggings wrote: »

You are really not helping the OP here, that cover letter is not right, saying it is will see the OP not even getting an interview.

As I have said, no need to repeat what is in the CV, the CV should be reworked if it doesn't contain all relevant facts.

There is no right or wrong. Who knows what the preferences of the hiring manager are for different forms of CV or covering letter?

Generally I would suggest the CV should include only the relevant facts and the application form or covering letter, in the absence of an application form, should explain why the applicant's qualities, qualifications and experience make them the best candidate for the role.

Southend1

sniggings wrote: »

you are so wrong, it's called a COVER letter for a reason, if they wanted you to make up your own application form it would not be called a cover letter.

Not all recruiters use standard application forms for all jobs. They are useful for some types of jobs, and less useful for others. It also depends on the preference of the hiring manager or the HR department in question.

I'm sorry you feel that I'm wrong about this, but there really is no right or wrong here. Hopefully OP will benefit from reading about my experience and opinions as much as from yours. After all, this is (unless I am mistaken) a discussion forum.

sniggings

Southend1 wrote: »

There is no right or wrong. Who knows what the preferences of the hiring manager are for different forms of CV or covering letter?

Generally I would suggest the CV should include only the relevant facts and the application form or covering letter, in the absence of an application form, should explain why the applicant's qualities, qualifications and experience make them the best candidate for the role.

you keep saying there is no application form, if there isn't one, which I doubt it, they will go off the CV, a full page for a cover letter is totally mad.

You are right tho, we do not know what they are looking for, so we can only guess, and my guess is, for someone in admin, I would want to see a very concise letter, with a relevant CV.

@OP you sound a lovely person, and if they were looking for only that, you would get the job, but it's for an admin roll, my guess is they want someone that get be concise, and if you were given the task of writing letters, your cover letter would leave me feeling you were not up to that.

sniggings

Southend1 wrote: »

After all, this is (unless I am mistaken) a discussion forum.

who said it wasn't, aren't we doing just that now?

Denning.

Southend1 wrote: »

No, that's what the application and cover letter are for. The CV usually simply lists qualifications and previous jobs, perhaps with a brief sentence or two to explain each previous role. There's not a lot of room for much more, unless you use big paper, a tiny font or have very few qualifications and little experience.

Not really. Many people put far too much detail about there previous job. Cashier at sainsburys is self explanatory = 1 line.

If you are writing stuff on your CV that isn't relevant to the job you are applying for then it is fluff.

There is a difference applying to a professional job and applying for admin level jobs. More than a page for a receptionist and there will be a lot of fluff.

Southend1

sniggings wrote: »

aren't we doing just that now?

No, you were telling me that I'm wrong and you're right.

If we were discussing the matter you might explain why following your advice is more likely to get the OP the job than following mine.

annie123

I used to be a manager in an Estate agents that did sales and lettings.

Some points;

Your letter is too long, and unless it's a very upmarket one, don't go on about your degree chances are the boss doesn't have one, gcse and A levels fine but keep the rest relevant to the job, you want to come over professionally but friendly

You will be required to: update the company website, if you can do that say so, keep accurate records or the company, and you, can be sued under the property misdescription act, use word and excel and bespoke packages for which training will be provided, audio typing maybe required, if you can do it say, register applicants when the other staff are busy so something about used to dealing with people from all walks of life because you will be.

You must have; A polite, friendly but professional voice, be a good team player, depending on the type of market the company covers, business dress may be required.

I would want to see a CV saying I've researched the job so what I've put is relevant, I can do everything you may need and I get on well with everyone so I'll fit right in with your team.

Good luck

Southend1

Denning. wrote: »

Not really. Many people put far too much detail about there previous job. Cashier at sainsburys is self explanatory = 1 line.

If you are writing stuff on your CV that isn't relevant to the job you are applying for then it is fluff.

There is a difference applying to a professional job and applying for admin level jobs. More than a page for a receptionist and there will be a lot of fluff.

There's no such thing as an "admin level job" In the sense that you mean it. A receptionist is an administrator, but then so is a hospital manager. Very different roles and very different salaries.

I would absolutely say that someone applying for a receptionist role who has experience as a cashier at sainsburys should explain how that experience is relevant. It shows they know what is required of a receptionist and how they are equipped to meet that requirement.

E.g......

2010-2013 - Checkout Operator, Sainsbury's, Anytown. Working in a fast paced, customer focused environment I was able to work to high standards of accuracy while delivering excellent customer service at all times. Handling large amounts of cash on a daily basis I was a reliable and trustworthy employee for three years. I undertook an NVQ in customer service while working at Sainsbury's, which demonstrates my ability and willingness to learn at work. I took pride in developing outstanding product knowledge to give great service to the customer, while remaining aware that some matters required escalation to management in order to give the best outcome. I also learned how to deal with sensitive matters in a discreet way for example if a customer's payment card was declined or referred to the issuer for security checks.

sniggings

Southend1 wrote: »

No, you were telling me that I'm wrong and you're right.

If we were discussing the matter you might explain why following your advice is more likely to get the OP the job than following mine.

I could turn all that back on you

I have explained, that cover letter is rambling, it contains info that should be in the CV.

IMO the cover letter should be a taster to get the employer interested enough to look at the CV, heck they have listed the job on a site that doesn't even allow cover letters, if they wanted the mother of all cover letters, they picked the wrong site to list the job on :rotfl:

Denning.

It is quite clear what I meant by the different types of jobs. Sorry but if someone thought I was so dense they ought to write a paragraph to explain a supermarket cashiers role to me I would be irritated. Especially if they had a few other jobs which were much more relevant where further explanation is appropriate.

This isn't an exam. If you write too much for the job it just won't be read.


I think you missed out a couple of buzz words...