covering letter

[berniecuddles]

hi all give me some help please, i need some help on where to start with a covering letter. i dont know where to start this is the 1st job interviews for over 20 years, is there a site who can help me through this please

[dot.hawkes]

I recently had a vacancy to fill and I specifically asked for the applicants to return the application form with a hand written covering letter, the content of these letters were really not the issue, I was trying to establish who had reasonable command of the English language and who possessed the ability to string a few words together with thought and correct spelling.

[Zorr0]

The hand written one Dotty is on about is often asked for because you can conceal things with a computer generated one. ie everyone looks the same with typed letter.

I personally would do a computer generated one because I have poor hand writing.

In there lies the dilema.

The CV is important. The enclosing letter can be very short and to the point so a hand written one is merely a carrier not the message itself.

You need to put in the CV all the experience (detailed but not so long that the reader gets bored and puts in the bin) and qualifications relevant to the job you are applying for or that would make you a good candidate for the job because you could bring them qualities to the job if you got it.

[CheekyChops]

I always use something along these lines:

Vacancy: Customer Services Assistant (or whatever)
I am interested in the above vacancy that has been advertised in WHEREVER. Please find enclosed a copy of my Curriculum Vitae.

You will see from my CV that I have many years of experience of Customer Services and Administration in a busy office environment and am highly efficient and accurate at all times. I have excellent communication skills developed during my career and am able to communicate effectively with both colleagues and customers alike.

I work to constantly high standards, work well under pressure and I am always adaptable and quick to learn and develop new skills as required for the role.

I believe that the above skills make me suitable for a role such as the one advertised by yourselves and I look forward to an opportunity to discuss my CV with regard to this vacancy

It always seems to work for me, I have had interviews after sending the above letter, just tweak it slightly to fit the description of the job you are applying for.

[Harry Nuttal]

CheekyChops. I don't like "yourselves". Why not "you" as in "the one you advertised". Anyway bernie: Why not stick your thoughts here - and I'll tidy it up for you. All you will have to do then is write it out carefully and neatly. And make sure it all goes on one A4 sheet. Bosses are busy men.

[CheekyChops]

Harry, I don't care whether you like it or not, I wasn't answereing your question! And I never said it had to be used word for word, I just said that that was was I used and it works.

[Harry Nuttal]

Hi CheekyChops. Never thought you would like it. I reckoned there was one chance in a hundred of you saying something along the lines of: "Thanks, Harry. That makes sense. Cheers!"