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NYPDlove
LIF Infant
Member since 1/12 80 total posts
Name:
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Cover letters
Silly question but... What exactly do you put in a cover letter? Does anyone have a template they really like?
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Posted 6/24/13 11:10 AM  |
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Long Island Weddings
Long Island's Largest Bridal Resource |
Paramount
Sweet!
Member since 7/12 4287 total posts
Name:
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Cover letters
I dont have a template, but I did just hold interviews for a position at my office.
My dvice is keep it SHORT and sweet. It does not need to be 4 paragraphs that include everything you have done.
Introduce yourself. Say you have a strong background with years of experience in the job/field/position. Things like that.
But my advice is keep it short. Also, make sure your resume is NO longer than 2 pages. It SHOULD be 1. Mine is 2 pages, but the second was just education, computer programs I know and stuff like that.
Good luck.
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| Posted 6/24/13 11:23 AM |
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MrsG823
Just call me Mommy.
Member since 1/11 5570 total posts
Name:
S
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Cover letters
A cover letter is you chance to "sell yourself". Keep it to about 300 words or less. Be sure to tie in information from the job posting in your letter. Many recruiters do not spend too much time on coverletters. Indeed.com and careerbuilder.com are good resources. A quick search for coverletters will give you tons of examples. Also keep in mind that resume/CV length varies by field.
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| Posted 6/24/13 11:49 AM |
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queensgal
Smile
Member since 4/09 3287 total posts
Name:
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Re: Cover letters
I haven't used a cover letter in years.
I would really only recommend it if you have some explaining to do - for example, if you want to switch up fields or industries in a drastic way. Otherwise, I personally don't waste my time.
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| Posted 6/25/13 7:59 PM |
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MESal0820
LIF Adolescent
Member since 2/11 543 total posts
Name:
Meghan
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Re: Cover letters
I work in HR and I'll be honest I never read cover letters. The only time I look is if I have a question about the resume or if I want to see if salary requirements are listed.
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| Posted 6/25/13 8:25 PM |
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gdubs
This baby is awesome!
Member since 11/10 2467 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Cover letters
Posted by MESal0820
I work in HR and I'll be honest I never read cover letters. The only time I look is if I have a question about the resume or if I want to see if salary requirements are listed.
Same here... I never read them. If there is a big employment gap or an odd work history I'll take a look to see if it is explained in the cover letter but other than that I don't even look at them.
ETA: I think a lot of Recruiters and people working in HR have stopped reading them in part because of all the templates online. Reading cover letters started feeling like the movie Groundhog's Day. More often than not we get these cookie cutter letters where the person obviously copied and pasted the letter and then just changed the name of the company and the position title.
Message edited 6/25/2013 10:25:12 PM.
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| Posted 6/25/13 10:16 PM |
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NYPDlove
LIF Infant
Member since 1/12 80 total posts
Name:
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Cover letters
Thanks everyone!
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| Posted 6/29/13 4:02 PM |
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BBin2012
Full heart!
Member since 8/11 1835 total posts
Name:
Ka
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Re: Cover letters
Posted by gdubs
Posted by MESal0820
I work in HR and I'll be honest I never read cover letters. The only time I look is if I have a question about the resume or if I want to see if salary requirements are listed.
Same here... I never read them. If there is a big employment gap or an odd work history I'll take a look to see if it is explained in the cover letter but other than that I don't even look at them.
ETA: I think a lot of Recruiters and people working in HR have stopped reading them in part because of all the templates online. Reading cover letters started feeling like the movie Groundhog's Day. More often than not we get these cookie cutter letters where the person obviously copied and pasted the letter and then just changed the name of the company and the position title.
That's really interesting!!! Everything I had read says to never NOT do a cover letter. So you would give same consideration to a resume without one (assuming credentials were the same)?
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| Posted 7/30/13 10:15 AM |
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gdubs
This baby is awesome!
Member since 11/10 2467 total posts
Name:
Gina
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Re: Cover letters
Posted by BBin2012
Posted by gdubs
Posted by MESal0820
I work in HR and I'll be honest I never read cover letters. The only time I look is if I have a question about the resume or if I want to see if salary requirements are listed.
Same here... I never read them. If there is a big employment gap or an odd work history I'll take a look to see if it is explained in the cover letter but other than that I don't even look at them.
ETA: I think a lot of Recruiters and people working in HR have stopped reading them in part because of all the templates online. Reading cover letters started feeling like the movie Groundhog's Day. More often than not we get these cookie cutter letters where the person obviously copied and pasted the letter and then just changed the name of the company and the position title.
That's really interesting!!! Everything I had read says to never NOT do a cover letter. So you would give same consideration to a resume without one (assuming credentials were the same)?
Absolutely. Maybe if it were a position that was writing intensive I would read it but for regular business positions I'm just looking for specific experience on the resume. If what I am looking for is there I would rather get all that other information through an initial phone interview.
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| Posted 8/10/13 9:09 PM |
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