Please read the job advert carefully !

Tabatha_Kitten

AP007 wrote: »

LOL and you wanted a cover letter form a labourer?

No. Its actually much more specialised than that but I was keeping the point simple.

SJI85

Tabatha_Kitten wrote: »

Ive had a few "f*** you, wouldnt want to work for you anyway" responses back. I always keep a note of those incase they ever apply again !

Be careful about Data Protection...

saker75

I really value the covering letter when I recruit. It tells me whether a candidate has really got under the skin of the role (I recruit entry level professional positions to middle management) and can articulate why it motivates them. It's relatively easy to write a good CV, a good covering letter though stands out.

From a candidates perspective, looking at the discussion above - play safe and send a covering letter for those of us who do care!

getmore4less

Tabatha_Kitten wrote: »

One of my applicants has a cv full of hair, nail and beauty qualifications.
The job is for a labourer on a construction site.
Im guessing she hasnt even read the job advert at all but a bloomin good story in her covering letter could have gone a long way towards helping her case

we are doomed, cover letter for a labourer.

getmore4less

Tabatha_Kitten wrote: »

No. Its actually much more specialised than that but I was keeping the point simple.

very poorly

Nick_C

I've never applied for a job that required a CV, only an application form. I've got substantial experience of recruiting staff, and I believe the AF route is much fairer. It ensures all applicants are asaked to submit all the required information in a structured way, and makes the shortlisting process much easier.

My top tips to job seekers would be (1) check your application for spelling mistakes and grammatical errors. A single spelling mistake in an otherwise excellent application could be enough for your application to be rejected. (2) ensure you demonstrate how you meet all the criteria in the person specification.

Tabatha_Kitten

getmore4less wrote: »

very poorly

Yes admittedly.
I was trying to make the point that a cv with a list of previous roles and list of qualifications doesnt necessary tell me the full story - especially when what Im seeing on the cv isnt matching what Im requesting in the job advert.

Free_Spirit_31

I think covering letters are quite important when asked to submit one as part of the job hunting process. They reinforce why you want the job, why you want to be part of the company and what skills as attributes you possess.

I view them like thank you letters that are usually sent after an interview thanking the interviewer for their time and highlighting again why the candidate is suitable for the role.

bargainbetty

I have also previously requested a covering letter for the simple reason that a person in a professional role should be able to create and write a simple letter. It allows me to assess their written skills, basic grammar and literacy (many CVS are in bullet points and do not have much in the way of formalised sentence structure) and it also allows me to consider how the applicant has responded to the advert itself.

I placed an ad that asked for a cover letter and written applications only. No email CVs. I don't want people who are only applying for a quota - I've got to sit and read the damned things, don't waste my time. I want applications from people who want the job.

I got over 30 emailed CVs, and I wrote back to all of them requesting a cover letter and hard copy application. One person sent it in with a green post it note marked 'Herewith my CV'.

Show me that you CBA, and I'll show you how to write a simple letter. It's saved on my PC as 'Applicant Rejection'. And yes, everybody got acknowledged, one way of the other.

AP007

bargainbetty wrote: »

I have also previously requested a covering letter for the simple reason that a person in a professional role should be able to create and write a simple letter. It allows me to assess their written skills, basic grammar and literacy (many CVS are in bullet points and do not have much in the way of formalised sentence structure) and it also allows me to consider how the applicant has responded to the advert itself.

I placed an ad that asked for a cover letter and written applications only. No email CVs. I don't want people who are only applying for a quota - I've got to sit and read the damned things, don't waste my time. I want applications from people who want the job.

I got over 30 emailed CVs, and I wrote back to all of them requesting a cover letter and hard copy application. One person sent it in with a green post it note marked 'Herewith my CV'.

Show me that you CBA, and I'll show you how to write a simple letter. It's saved on my PC as 'Applicant Rejection'. And yes, everybody got acknowledged, one way of the other.

What is a hard copy application?