general cover letters

[mollykins]

If i'm writing general cover letters, but i'm more interested in boaty stuff, should I make two?

One that targets shops and cafes more and the other, targetting more boaty kind of places (lots in the area), but without spending a huge amount of time on changing them?

[Count-A-Strong]

I presume you mean with a view to getting a pt job? You would be better going in when they're quiet and asking. Shows initiative.

[craft1948]

The daughter used to work in Classified Ads for the local paper, and a guy rang up to place a job advert. After taking down the details she told him to save the price of the ad and just give her the job..........he did.

[Count-A-Strong]

LOL craft. I like her thinking (and the sound of her bosoms)

[saxy_jag]

Are you generally interested in, or a little knowledgeable about boats? Don't make out you're an enthusiast if you're not. Customers will want someone who can serve them efficiently - not another sailing buddy.

If you are genuinely interested, then it could be worth putting it in the 'hobbies and interests' section of your CV. Boaty places will pick it up and see it as a good reason to employ you over the person who's just as good but who's only interested in, say, music or stamp collecting. This could be the same CV/cover letter as the one you use for non-boaty places. You just have to be prepared to talk about it at interview. If you say you're boaty and you're not, that's where you'll come unstuck.

[mollykins]

Saxy, I go to Sea Cadets (able cadet), My own sailing dinghy with rya qualifications, rya planing level one which means i'd have to be supervised whilst driving a planing boat which is those fast boats, often with a rubber inflatable outsidey bit (proper word is gunwhale but I didn't think you'd know what that is.) and rya displacement level two (can drive those bigger boat, they often have a cabiny bit at the front, on ym own with no supervision if required, and can be up to 40ft long!)

I could quite possibly be a boaty person.

[cassa333]

I would have two cover letters and use them appropriatly.

If you are more interested in the boaty side then go in to the boat yards or shops that you would like to work in and introduce yourself.

The personal touch always helps.

PS be very careful in boat yards they can be VERY dangerious places.

[mollykins]

I will be, but I could try all kinds of places and even if it doesn't actually involve driving a boat, showing that i'm enthusiastic and knowledgable would help even if the job's as a receptionist.

[cassa333]

Definatly mollykins.

Showing initiative will go a long way especialy if you can demonstrate a bit of knowledge.

If you can have a rece of the best places you would like to work for so you know a little about the company and where your skills would best fit in.

As I saoid earlier though do be careful. My nephew was nearly killed in a boat yard and now has permament disabilities.

[saxy_jag]

Well I've done a bit of sailing but nothing at your level - understand some of it, but not all. In which case, Molly, big it up in your 'hobbies and interests' - it tells people, indirectly, that you're a team player, can follow instructions and think quickly under stress. It shows them that you're physically fit and that you are capable of committing to things long-term.

You *could* make out two separate CVs and then use the same general cover letter. The letter only needs to be brief, as you'll have most of the important information in your CV. Just something along the lines of "I'd like to be considered ... As you will see from my accompanying CV I am experienced in XYZ ... I would like to work for you/your company because ... etc." As long as your letter is properly written and set out, that's all you really need. Think of it as an introduction - when you meet someone for the first time, you usually just shake hands and announce who you are and, probably, what you do or where you're from. You wouldn't give them your entire life history. They can delve further (ie your CV) for that.

Good luck, though. Let us know how you get on.

[saxy_jag]

Oh, and I do know what a gunwhale is. I also know my gaffs from my gunters and my rigging from my rowlocks. I learnt in a Scorpion and used to own a GP14, as well as a clinker-built, RNSA racing class c1910 vintage dinghy. I've also taken kids around Ulleswater in a Whammel.

[boxtops]

I'm no sailor but I know what a gunwhale is..... good luck molly, what you put in your post about your boating capabilities should definitely go in the Hobbies section of your c.v.