How a Cover Letter Can Make the Difference

Just wanna job

i jus wanna job not gonna do no resume!

Noresume of CA @ Aug 23, 2009 17:37:27 PM

Cvr ltr

You MUST include a cover letter - it is key! Ignore that HR idiot who told you that - they probably make computerized resume reading systems for a living or something.

D TL of CT @ Aug 23, 2009 17:34:45 PM

Cover Letter DO ONE!

I can say that I have seen thousands of resumes but as an employer, I didn't care where you worked three years ago if it wasn't relevant. What I loved to see is when people used their cover letter to tell me either why they were a great candidate or how they excelled at other jobs/careers. Think of the last time you bought something from a salesperson. Many times the person that came across as a salesman just scares people away but the person that becomes a person to you rather than a salesperson is probably who you bought from. Your cover letter is your chance to become more than a piece of paper to an employer.

Bill of CO @ Jan 07, 2009 23:58:05 PM

Where to include a cover letter?

when one is applying for a certain job, say through Biospace,the option offered is to cut and paste your resume. So, how does one attach a cover letter under such circumstances?

Indira Krishnan of OH @ Jan 07, 2009 14:01:35 PM

Cover Letter Contradiction

This is the problem...who to believe? I just recently read from another HR Manager to forget the cover letter. S/he said that they're seldom ever read anymore. S/he went so far as to say that including one, unless it's requested, indicates that I'm out of touch with the current times and old school.

Who do I believe?

Every answer has an opposite one on the internet... of WA @ Jan 04, 2009 00:49:08 AM

Dear Alison,

I am a lady chef of 60 years old, italian. I have been working from Australia to Europe and I am still in France where I have been working for almost three years. I am looking for job but,referring to the covers letter, I would like to ask you what shall I write on it,having so many years of expertise. I find it very difficult to express myself regarding the career with the Company I apply for.

Please give me an advice how I can look for a job. The culinary art is my passion and I dont want to give up just for the age. I can give a lot in my field.

Thank you so much

Giovanna Nardelli

Giovanna Nardelli @ Dec 19, 2008 11:39:06 AM

cover letter

I'm just one of your readers and I admire you of what should the cover letter contents, it is the bases of how the human resources or hiring officer to decide whether candidate is qualified or not, but some people are not very good on their cover letter but on actual interview they are perfect, isn't it.

Base on my experience some company does not reply or acknowledge whether you are qualified or not even though you send them a thank you letter on respond to your resume/cover letter you emailed or mailed. I think that's their own practice not to respond or reply or too much in their part. I know that millions of applicants in different category that you encounter so what's the worst cover letter and which one do uou recommend.

just for thought.

jjgarcia @ Dec 18, 2008 12:46:53 PM

Cover Letter

As a professional recruiter and account manager, I have been dealing with hiring managers and executives for over 10 years. I can state from experience, and with confidence, that the only people who read cover letters are HR personnel. There may be a few exceptions but 9 out of 10 hiring managers do not even look at cover letters. Why? Because candidates often write items in a cover letter that are pertinent to the job they are applying for, yet are not even remotely close to their actual work experience. It would behoove individuals to spend more time writing up a proper resume, one which details their day-to-day duties and more importantly the achievments that they have made. This is what a hiring manager is looking for....someone who will have little to no learning curve and add to the bottom line of the group and Company. If a candidate does not have the experience being requested in the job description, they simply should not apply. If you do not have access to the actual hiring manager and submit through a company's website (HR) then it would not be a bad idea to also send a tailored cover letter, since most people in HR cannot read between the lines of a resume.

headhunter of TX @ Dec 18, 2008 08:30:58 AM