Cover letters

[TUG]

Ok so after robby's helpful CV guide I got to work on mine and had it looking fresh using his points made and stuff, so i am not really worried about that aspect anymore.

I've been applying for jobs when i can do so but theres one thing i'm not very good at and it's cover letters. In most things i've covered in life its make your weak points your strong points so I keep looking at examples and the like but i still feel like i'm not doing them correctly.

Has anyone found any decent sites or had any decent advice on cover letter writing?
Could you give me any pointers?

I know this is a bike forum not a recruitment advice forum but i know that a few people have gone down the same route as me at some point or are in a manager role maybe?

Sorry for the long post and thanks in advance.
____________________
Haz ER-5, innit!

[Clanger]

I pick out one or two items from their Job Description, and in the covering letter I tell the reader that amongst other skills and experiences I have extensive experience in XXX and explain why.

It's basically to grab the audience and make them want to read further.

Sample response:
Dear XXX,

I’m keen to be considered for the call centre manager role based in Swansea or Cardiff as seen on totaljobs.com, ref: Z1234.

I have three years' experience as a call centre team leader, managing 65 people for leading UK household insurer, Endsleigh. During this time I have:
• Decreased customer waiting times by 4% by incentivising quick call responses and a colour coded display to inform team members of customer waiting times.
• Cross-trained the team which has increased job satisfaction (reducing absenteeism and sickness) and eased holiday or off-site training cover.
• Championed implementation of WidgetsRus load balancing software as presented at the Annual Call Centre Technology Conference. Early indications are that the software has increased productivity by 2%.

I would relish the challenge of working for such a high profile company and admire your commitment to customer service. I can assure you that my experience, industry knowledge and track record to date make me a strong candidate for this role.

Please find my CV attached for further details.
I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind regards,
XXX

To sum up, keeping your cover letters short (about 250-300 words long), specific and upbeat will increase your chances of job hunt success!
____________________
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter won't mind - Dr. Seuss

[TUG]

Hi clanger,

From that example it looks like I'm on the right kind of lines, I guess it's just that I really want a shot at an interview am worrying over nothing.

I'll keep on trying and put my next one in more of the format your example is in.
____________________
Haz ER-5, innit!

[waffles]

Writing cover letters is hard because you do have to tailor-make them for each job you apply for. You need to show a potential emploers why they should put your CV in the "interview" pile and not file it under B for bin. As Clanger said, focus on the positives and generally give them some examples of why you would be good for whatever job you have applied for.

Good luck!
____________________
Theory test - 19/8/09, CBT - 11/10/09, MOD 1 - 16/8/10, MOD 2 - 27/10/10
Past rides Yamaha XT125X, Triumph TT600, Honda XR250
Current rides Suzuki GSXR 600, Honda MSX125

[mistergixer]