Cover Letter?

I'm 20, in college, unemployed, looking to get summer work, most likely minimum wage type stuff, newsagents, shops etc. I've updated my CV and I'm going to start doing the rounds to newsagents next week. Then I'll tweak my CV again and go round to food based places, tweak again and go to clothes shops etc.

My question is, do I need a cover letter? I've used one before but since I'm not doing a specialised job there isn't much I can put on it... If I do need one, what do I put on it? I've only had one job (a summer job last year, and I knew the owner already) so I'm pretty sure I must be lacking something.

edwinkane

true-or-false wrote: »

I'm 20, in college, unemployed, looking to get summer work, most likely minimum wage type stuff, newsagents, shops etc. I've updated my CV and I'm going to start doing the rounds to newsagents next week. Then I'll tweak my CV again and go round to food based places, tweak again and go to clothes shops etc.

My question is, do I need a cover letter? I've used one before but since I'm not doing a specialised job there isn't much I can put on it... If I do need one, what do I put on it? I've only had one job (a summer job last year, and I knew the owner already) so I'm pretty sure I must be lacking something.

You can bet all the other students are doing the same thing, and lots of other people too, as jobs are very scarce right now.

If I were you, I'd not waste my time as most shops will just put your cv straight into the bin, and often it won't even get as far as the manager or decision maker.

If I were looking for a job, then I'd get a list together of the shops I'd like to work in, find out the name of the manager and call him directly. Id tell him that I didn't want to waste his time by being just another CV, and that I'd like to meet him sometime for a brief chat to discuss the possibility of me working in his store for the holidays.

I bet I'd get a job that way.

DP Kilcullen

I'd never read a CV if it was not supplied with a cover letter
Also I'd be more incline to hire if you called into see me

It shows you've got some drive in you

Really grateful for the replies, but could we stick to cover letter advice please? I'm not looking for strategy tips, thanks though.

Squirm

Hi,

I think a cover letter is essential and can say as much about the applicant as their CV. It is an opportunity to convey a little more of your personality than can be done on your CV and it is another chance to sell yourself. I never write up a general cover letter and use it for all jobs, I write a new one for every position and include a paragraph detailing why I am perfect for the job in question.
Now, this is a lot of effort for a summer job, especially if it isn't something relating to your field of study but, it could be worth the effort, given the current climate.
I would have a very well written general cover letter, ready to go, in case you happen upon an opportunity to hand out your CV but, if it were me, I would do as a previous poster said and seek out the jobs you want, get the managers name and post CVs directly to him, including a personal cover letter.

RachaelVO

In short... YES!

If you don't how can anyone know exactly what your request is if you don't add a cover letter. Not only that, but it depending on the manager/employer in question etc; he/she might consider it rude not to include a cover letter!

RoryMurphyJnr

Wouldn't bother with a cover letter to tell you the truth,

What you should include is a summary of any work exp, how you work as a member of a team, as an individual, drive etc.
Summary should go just below personal details, address email etc and before you start listing work exp and qualifactions in detail

edwinkane

RoryMurphyJnr wrote: »

Wouldn't bother with a cover letter to tell you the truth,

What you should include is a summary of any work exp, how you work as a member of a team, as an individual, drive etc.
Summary should go just below personal details, address email etc and before you start listing work exp and qualifactions in detail

Out of 100, how many employers do you know who would (i) take time to read a CV which arrived unsolicited without a cover letter and (ii) take time to read a CV which arrives together with a cover letter personally addressed to them?

I don't know 100 employers, but I do know quite a few, and don't know one who read CV's which arrive unsolicited without a cover letter.

I know some who might, depending on the day and depending on the quality of the presentation of the cover letter and CV, look through the package.

Why anyone would suggest that sending a CV without a cover letter is more effective than sending with a cover letter seems bizarre.

Squirm

RoryMurphyJnr wrote: »

Wouldn't bother with a cover letter to tell you the truth,

What you should include is a summary of any work exp, how you work as a member of a team, as an individual, drive etc.
Summary should go just below personal details, address email etc and before you start listing work exp and qualifactions in detail

I once held a position in a shop where I was responsible for interviewing and hiring staff. It was a minimum wage position and we were open to candidates that had no experience or were looking for part-time/summer work. I routinely discarded CVs that arrived with no cover letter or that had spelling mistakes. When CVs were handed in, in person, I would forgive the lack of a cover letter, depending on the person's demeanor. Those that were posted in, minus a cover letter, were not considered acceptable. If you have an opportunity to put yourself ahead of the game why not take it?!?! It comes across as lazy to me.

This is just my personal experience of hiring staff though.