Cover Letter/CV

AtticusFinch86

Hello, I'm looking for some advice with my job applications. I've recently graduated with an accountancy degree and have been on the job hunt for the last 2 months or so. I've been sending job applications to almost any accountancy firm with a graduate job listing but I'm struggling to get an calls for interviews (bar a couple here and there).

I have a bit of work experience (about 2 years all inclusive) in a number of areas (admittedly only one related to accounting) and I performed very strongly at college, picking up a number of individual and team awards but despite the experience and strong academic record I can't seem to get a call for an interview. I think the big problem is my cover letter, I'm clueless as to what to put into it or how to structure it. Generally in the first paragraph I explain what job I'm applying to and why I'm applying to it, the next 2-3 paragraphs are about me, my recent history and my skillset and the last paragraph ties everything up ("these traits have helped me perform very strong in past, I fully expect them to prove equally as benefiical in future endeavors blah blah blah, look forward to hearing from you etc.)

It comes in at just under a page in length while my CV is just under 2 pages. I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong but given the lack of call backs the problem is clearly something in my application. Could somebody with experience in the Accountancy sector give me some ideas of what firms are looking for or how I might strucutre my cover letter/CV. I've grown very weary of not having a purpose and just want to get myself out of this rut. Any advice would be much appreciated. Sorry about the long post.

Snake

AtticusFinch86 wrote: »

Hello, I'm looking for some advice with my job applications. I've recently graduated with an accountancy degree and have been on the job hunt for the last 2 months or so. I've been sending job applications to almost any accountancy firm with a graduate job listing but I'm struggling to get an calls for interviews (bar a couple here and there).

I have a bit of work experience (about 2 years all inclusive) in a number of areas (admittedly only one related to accounting) and I performed very strongly at college, picking up a number of individual and team awards but despite the experience and strong academic record I can't seem to get a call for an interview. I think the big problem is my cover letter, I'm clueless as to what to put into it or how to structure it. Generally in the first paragraph I explain what job I'm applying to and why I'm applying to it, the next 2-3 paragraphs are about me, my recent history and my skillset and the last paragraph ties everything up ("these traits have helped me perform very strong in past, I fully expect them to prove equally as benefiical in future endeavors blah blah blah, look forward to hearing from you etc.)

It comes in at just under a page in length while my CV is just under 2 pages. I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong but given the lack of call backs the problem is clearly something in my application. Could somebody with experience in the Accountancy sector give me some ideas of what firms are looking for or how I might strucutre my cover letter/CV. I've grown very weary of not having a purpose and just want to get myself out of this rut. Any advice would be much appreciated. Sorry about the long post.

Not your fault, there's probably just someone else better... Employers get flooded with CVs and applications, they pick out ones that stand out.. Make it unique and different, something that will catch their eye, not just the usual stuff they get left right and centre

Mr. Loverman

Are you selling yourself in your cover letter using specific examples of why you're deadly?

Or is it all vague mushy talk?

Your cover letter alone should be enough to make them want to interview you. That needs to be your goal when you're writing it.

blindsider

AtticusFinch86 wrote: »

Hello, I'm looking for some advice with my job applications. I've recently graduated with an accountancy degree and have been on the job hunt for the last 2 months or so. I've been sending job applications to almost any accountancy firm with a graduate job listing but I'm struggling to get an calls for interviews (bar a couple here and there).

I have a bit of work experience (about 2 years all inclusive) in a number of areas (admittedly only one related to accounting) and I performed very strongly at college, picking up a number of individual and team awards but despite the experience and strong academic record I can't seem to get a call for an interview. I think the big problem is my cover letter, I'm clueless as to what to put into it or how to structure it. Generally in the first paragraph I explain what job I'm applying to and why I'm applying to it, the next 2-3 paragraphs are about me, my recent history and my skillset and the last paragraph ties everything up ("these traits have helped me perform very strong in past, I fully expect them to prove equally as benefiical in future endeavors blah blah blah, look forward to hearing from you etc.)

It comes in at just under a page in length while my CV is just under 2 pages. I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong but given the lack of call backs the problem is clearly something in my application. Could somebody with experience in the Accountancy sector give me some ideas of what firms are looking for or how I might strucutre my cover letter/CV. I've grown very weary of not having a purpose and just want to get myself out of this rut. Any advice would be much appreciated. Sorry about the long post.

Atticus - my tuppenceworth:

- Keep the cover letter to 3.5 paragraphs

- Spell check and proof-read EVERYTHING - at least twice; and then give it to someone else to do the same. Your grammar needs to be perfect. The bold above is not quite up to scratch - sorry to be blunt - but I'm trying to help!

Para 1 - I'd like to apply for X job as advertised in Y

Para 2 - I have recently completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in [Name of University], achieving a 2:1 (or whatever). I have also been awarded X Y and Z in recognition of my academic achievements etc (or similar).

Para 3 - I am especially in this role as I have a strong interest in e.g. Audit/Tax/Treasury, and I believe that [name of company] is a market-leader in this area.

Para 3.5 - I enclose a copy of my CV, and would be delighted to discuss this opportunity with you at your convenience. Please do contact me if you require further information.

Kind regards,

Cut out the padding and bumf - recruiters see too much of it.


CV - Put B.Comm (Hons) after your name. (Assuming you're entitled to.) This is your CV - you're selling yourself - and the CV scanning software will be looking for it.


In your Personal Profile you MUST enter your degree grade, 2:1 or whatever. This should be in the 1st sentence.

Can your College Careers Office help?

Best of luck!

AtticusFinch86

Thanks for the replies. Appreciate it. I will definitely be the advice on board in future appplications. It'll be interesting to see if there's any change.

Ann Landers

Strange that you're not getting more interest with both a good academic record (which accounting firms are obsessed with) and work experience!

AtticusFinch86

Yeah I'm not really sure what the problem is. My leaving cert is far from great and the work experience isn't all that relevant to accountancy, so that could be a factor but I thought I had enough other positive things on my CV to far outweigh those. I'll just have to change up my application pattern (in terms of the structure, semantics and content of cover letters and CV) a little and see if that helps

Ann Landers

AtticusFinch86 wrote: »

Yeah I'm not really sure what the problem is. My leaving cert is far from great and the work experience isn't all that relevant to accountancy

Some of it is though, which more than most grads. The LC could well be an issue, they tend to be a bit obsessed with exam results!

maxwell smart

Just an addition to what blindsider said above:

I assume you are sending in applications mainly via email.

Remember that the body of text you put in your email could be the first impression that gets the recruiter to open the attached cover letter and CV.

If there are 300 applications for 1 position you need to make sure the recruiter looks at your CV. So have a short, snappy email text ready.

Something like:

Dear X

Please find attached my CV and cover letter for your recently advertised position of Chief Bottle Washer.

You will see from my attached CV that I have recently completed a degree in bottle washing with a 2.1 grade

2-3 more lines with your headline achievements then your done

Max

simoon86

I don't use any Cover Letters and attach a well-designed self-contained CV with minimum information on 2 pages. All your achievements just must be shortly mentioned and then during the interview you describe each of them. Never say everything in CV cause you will have nothing to say during the interview.

Mr. Loverman

simoon86 wrote: »

I don't use any Cover Letters cause they are useless. In email, I write this:

Dear X,

I'm looking for a great project to embark on. Consider myself please.

Wish you well,
Max

and attach a well-designed self-contained CV with minimum information on 2 pages. All your achievements just must be shortly mentioned and then during the interview you describe each of them. Never say everything in CV cause you will have nothing to say during the interview.

This isn't good advice. I used to work for Ireland's largest job website and I can assure you cover letters make a big difference.

skallywag

Personally I pay no attention to cover letters (aside from necessary details such as contact number, availability for employment, etc), but focus purely on the CV. If I am interested in the candidate I will call them for a chat, and then make a first call on soft skills, etc.

Cover letters exist for historical reasons, and are no longer needed when you are attaching your CV to an email. In general keep the content of your email very crisp, do not waffle (I cannot emphasize this enough) and check it 2-3 times for grammer and spelling before you send it. One paragraph with 4-5 sentences will suffice. Your aim should be to demonstrate that you can articulate your thoughts in a coherent but consice manner.