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summerBaby10
let's be nice
Member since 9/07 10208 total posts
Name:
Wifey
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How important is a cover letter?
I know that in my past jobs, we'd usually just skip over the cover letters when looking for a new employee...
Do you always send one with each job you apply for?
I am so bad at writing them that I have been applying for jobs without one.
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Posted 9/18/08 10:31 PM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Tany
Becoming a different woman
Member since 5/05 24460 total posts
Name:
Tania
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Re: How important is a cover letter?
I'm like you, i have never send one which is why i think it might help to have one, at least it would make me more recognizable.
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| Posted 9/19/08 8:46 AM |
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bird382
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Member since 7/07 1712 total posts
Name:
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Re: How important is a cover letter?
I would find it really strange if someone sent in a resume without a cover letter.
A good cover letter helps me get the bigger picture about a person -- specifically: why they're applying for the position (it should be tailored to THIS position, not a generic statement), what their background is, career development goals, and how they are uniquely suited to the position (experience/transferable skills).
Sure, most of this is somewhere in the resume but it can be read-between-the-lines kind of stuff, and I don't have time for that. I need it spelled out up front.
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| Posted 9/19/08 9:07 AM |
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bikramaddict
mommy-to-be
Member since 8/06 4376 total posts
Name:
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Re: How important is a cover letter?
i would never, ever apply for a job without a cover letter. the entire point, IMO, is to use it so it can tell something about yourself that your resume cannot.
i would be happy to give you a few pointers, or write it for you at a nominal charge. FM me if interested.
good luck!
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| Posted 9/19/08 3:04 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: How important is a cover letter?
I only used email to apply for jobs and my email was the cover letter. my resume was a Word doc attachment.
Message edited 9/20/2008 11:01:02 AM.
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| Posted 9/20/08 11:00 AM |
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Christine
2nd verse same as the 1st
Member since 5/05 15287 total posts
Name:
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Re: How important is a cover letter?
Posted by bird382
I would find it really strange if someone sent in a resume without a cover letter.
A good cover letter helps me get the bigger picture about a person -- specifically: why they're applying for the position (it should be tailored to THIS position, not a generic statement), what their background is, career development goals, and how they are uniquely suited to the position (experience/transferable skills).
Sure, most of this is somewhere in the resume but it can be read-between-the-lines kind of stuff, and I don't have time for that. I need it spelled out up front.
Along with all these reasons for looking at them, I also use them to see if the applicant can write in complete sentences.
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| Posted 9/20/08 11:06 AM |
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Re: How important is a cover letter?
Posted by Christine
Posted by bird382
I would find it really strange if someone sent in a resume without a cover letter.
A good cover letter helps me get the bigger picture about a person -- specifically: why they're applying for the position (it should be tailored to THIS position, not a generic statement), what their background is, career development goals, and how they are uniquely suited to the position (experience/transferable skills).
Sure, most of this is somewhere in the resume but it can be read-between-the-lines kind of stuff, and I don't have time for that. I need it spelled out up front.
Along with all these reasons for looking at them, I also use them to see if the applicant can write in complete sentences.
same here... Try to get someone to proof your cover letter and keep it short if you are confident in your writing skills, but it is a really simple way to convey that you have some basic communication skills
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| Posted 9/21/08 1:00 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: How important is a cover letter?
When I fax or mail, I always send a cover letter.
Now with e-mail, I put my cover letter in the e-mail and attach my resume.
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| Posted 9/22/08 10:22 AM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: How important is a cover letter?
My cover letter is what landed my current job. I had absolutely NO experience in civil rights, but my cover letter explained why I had a passionate interest in it (growing up with a learning disability). The director of the agency confided in me that this was the reason why I got my foot in the door for an interview even though I wasn't technically qualified.
And the rest was history 
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| Posted 9/22/08 3:00 PM |
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