Cover Letters

username84

I hear so much about what format they should be - that you should name someone in the company, that you shouldn't - they should hold a list of your experience, that they shouldn't

Anyone have any ideas?

I am looking into a merchandising/buying position and would like some help

ABajaninCork

Have you googled sample cover letters? There's some very good ones online. OK, they're American, but you get the general idea.

Have a look at the Guardian in the UK too. They've usually got good examples too.

HTH!

Mr. Loverman

The purpose of a cover letter is to a) catch the employers eye and b) sell yourself to the employer. If you think using a generic "Dear Sir/Madam" and excluding your relevant experience will help achieve this, then that's what you should do.

Have a look at this: http://www.dole.ie/cover-letter-advice/

In my experience (I used to interview and hire people) I was far more enthusiastic about people who had good cover letters as it suggested they were intelligent and conscientious.

tHE vAGGABOND

I have been interviewing people for IT roles over 3 or 4 companies and almost never read cover letters.

In my experience its very easy to make yourself look bad, and very hard to make yourself look good.

Focus your energies on having a brilliant CV - as thats what folks read and is given to people going into interviews.

Mr. Loverman

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

I have been interviewing people for IT roles over 3 or 4 companies and almost never read cover letters.

In my experience its very easy to make yourself look bad, and very hard to make yourself look good.

Focus your energies on having a brilliant CV - as thats what folks read and is given to people going into interviews.

I agree with you that some people don't bother reading the cover letter, but some people do.

Better to play it safe in my opinion.

I agree the CV needs to be bulletproof.

Mrs OBumble

My 10c:

The cover letter is where you show why you're a fantastic fit for this job.

I've had good results when starting the with a name (Dear Josie Bloggs) and ending with a PS (PS "I know you'll get a lot of applications, but I'd would really appreciate the chance to meet you.")

The CV shoudl cover your whole work history (no gaps): though it should have more details are parts that are relevant for this job, it is a more general purpose document.

Bowlardo

If some one within the company recommended you to apply for the job then should you mention them in the cover letter?

Mr. Loverman

Bowlardo wrote: »

If some one within the company recommended you to apply for the job then should you mention them in the cover letter?

Give your friend your CV and get them to give it to the relevant manager.

You can include a cover letter if you want (and mention your friend's name), but the direct referral from your friend is the most important thing.

Gael23

I was told by a careers advisor to use a persons name if you can. If you don't know then use sir/madam.