letter saying why i should get a job

duffysfarm

my wife is looking to move jobs. she is in quality assurance in pharma. She got a call yesterday for a role that would be ideal - closer to home been the main one as she has a long commute at the moment,
the recruiter is looking for her to write a letter saying why she thinks she should get the job. this seems a little unusual to me - would this be for the recruitment company or will it go to the company recruiting? i told my wife to call back to the recruitment company and ask them for more guidance on this but i was wondering if some one has any experience on this in the meantime?

6541

Is she a school child ? Tell that recruiter to get lost.

duffysfarm

if she didnt want the job then yes, she would.

is this a new trend or is it very old fashioned to ask for this type of letter?

6541 wrote: »

Is she a school child ? Tell that recruiter to get lost.

I don't work in pharma but in other industries the recruiter should be working for her. I'd call them up and get guidance. Maybe the pharmacy themselves are looking for the letter. If so, the recruiter should be helping her write it.

messrs

Is it a full on letter or like a cover note to go with CV with brief points of why she wants the job? ( actually are cover notes even a thing anymore?)

duffysfarm

yes, i totally agree. it may be a case that my wife didn't think to ask this at the time so i will defiantly get her to call them back

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't work in pharma but in other industries the recruiter should be working for her. I'd call them up and get guidance. Maybe the pharmacy themselves are looking for the letter. If so, the recruiter should be helping her write it.

Dublinflyer

Is the recruiter looking for a tailored cover letter for her CV and he just communicated it very badly? I have been asked for cover letters for a few roles but it was never put to me like that. Seems odd.

duffysfarm

i have just looked at the recruitment website and the person my wife is dealing with graduated from college in may 2020 and started work in August so it may be poor communication on the recruiters behalf or poor understanding on my wife's!
easiest thing to do is jut so speak to them and see

Dublinflyer wrote: »

Is the recruiter looking for a tailored cover letter for her CV and he just communicated it very badly? I have been asked for cover letters for a few roles but it was never put to me like that. Seems odd.

What is the problem?
Just do it.
The employer possibly wants to shortlist potential candidates
I’d normally customise my cv letter for each potential opening.

duffysfarm

no problem, just asking for other peoples polite friendly advice:D:D:D

Deleted User wrote: »

What is the problem?
Just do it.
The employer possibly wants to shortlist potential candidates

1Caroline

It's not unusual in my experience. Sometimes it's called a Statement of Suitability. It's an opportunity to show how your experience and quals in the CV make you the best candidate.

Electric Nitwit

duffysfarm wrote: »

no problem, just asking for other peoples polite friendly advice:D:D:D

On boards? There's your first mistake

I agree with those above, sounds like a cover letter for the CV but definitely contact the recruiter. They only get paid if their candidate gets the job so it's in their interest to be as helpful as possible. Good luck!

duffysfarm

duffysfarm wrote: »

no problem, just asking for other peoples polite friendly advice:D:D:D

Sorry I didn’t mean that to come off harsh. Apologies

blindsider

One Recruitment company I can think of does this a lot - it seems to be their way....starts with 'S'.

It does feel like the recruiter is being lazy, but perhaps it will help your wife to prepare for an interview - for this, or another role.

looksee

A puzzling request from a recruiter who has only just started work? I would be asking more questions of the recruiter, what exactly are they looking for.

If the letter sent in is not exactly what the employer has said they wanted, and inexperience on the part of the recruiter has led to misinformation the application might easily go no further.

If the recruiter sounds unsure, ask to talk to a senior person, see is it a reasonable request.

Jim2007

6541 wrote: »

Is she a school child ? Tell that recruiter to get lost.

Are you? A cover letter is a fairly normal part of the recruiting process..

looksee

looksee wrote: »

A puzzling request from a recruiter who has only just started work? I would be asking more questions of the recruiter, what exactly are they looking for.

If the letter sent in is not exactly what the employer has said they wanted, and inexperience on the part of the recruiter has led to misinformation the application might easily go no further.

If the recruiter sounds unsure, ask to talk to a senior person, see is it a reasonable request.

What is puzzling about this request?
It’s a letter to show she has a genuine interest in working for the company, and was not simply chosen at random as there was an open position. This is bog standard cover letter stuff where the applicant can sell themselves a bit.

Whenever applying for a job you should write a tailored cover letter aimed at the specific job.

Aleece2020

A large portion of job applications seem to require a cover letter these days. It's likely not the recruiter who wants her to do it, but the company does.

theteal

Fairly standard to have a cover letter with a CV, no?

riffmongous

Yep just a cover letter, to show you've looked into the company and the position and you can sell yourself. I got my last job mostly because of the cover letter, so it's worth putting in the effort imo

Aleece2020

riffmongous wrote: »

Yep just a cover letter, to show you've looked into the company and the position and you can sell yourself. I got my last job mostly because of the cover letter, so it's worth putting in the effort imo

Do you have any tips for writing a good cover letter? I've heard the usual from recruiters, career coaches etc. but I find that the people who have successfully gotten a job based on them tend to have the best advice.

Aleece2020

Aleece2020 wrote: »

Do you have any tips for writing a good cover letter? I've heard the usual from recruiters, career coaches etc. but I find that the people who have successfully gotten a job based on them tend to have the best advice.

Learn a bit about the company, look at your experience/qualifications , and tell them how your experience/qualifications and ambitions make you perfect for the role.

The cover letter can be the difference between you getting an interview, and not even getting a response

Just sound really positive and confident (not big headed or cocky), it has never failed me

And make it clear that you are taking directly to them (the company you are applying to) and not a generic cover letter

looksee

Yes, a cover letter, certainly. But this request does not seem absolutely as though it is a cover letter. It implies something that will stand alone rather than go with a cv. Since there is a job at stake, rather than relying on the confident opinions of the internet I am simply saying the OP's wife should look for clarity, 'are you looking for a cover letter?'

Easiest thing in the world to ask the recruiter, they are simply go-betweens who are there to be asked and provide clarity. Its difficult enough dealing with HR departments at the best of times, they do not seem to have any discretion to interpret, just tick boxes. There are a lot of inexpert people between a job applicant and an ultimate job.

looksee

looksee wrote: »

Yes, a cover letter, certainly. But this request does not seem absolutely as though it is a cover letter. It implies something that will stand alone rather than go with a cv. Since there is a job at stake, rather than relying on the confident opinions of the internet I am simply saying the OP's wife should look for clarity, 'are you looking for a cover letter?'

Easiest thing in the world to ask the recruiter, they are simply go-betweens who are there to be asked and provide clarity. Its difficult enough dealing with HR departments at the best of times, they do not seem to have any discretion to interpret, just tick boxes. There are a lot of inexpert people between a job applicant and an ultimate job.

My opinion would be, what is not clear about their request.

“ recruiter is looking for her to write a letter saying why she thinks she should get the job.”

Ok, let’s not call it a cover letter, but the request is straight forward enough

jackboy

Aleece2020 wrote: »

Do you have any tips for writing a good cover letter? I've heard the usual from recruiters, career coaches etc. but I find that the people who have successfully gotten a job based on them tend to have the best advice.

You can just pay another recruitment agency to write your cover letter. Lots of people do this.

Dempo1

duffysfarm wrote: »

my wife is looking to move jobs. she is in quality assurance in pharma. She got a call yesterday for a role that would be ideal - closer to home been the main one as she has a long commute at the moment,
the recruiter is looking for her to write a letter saying why she thinks she should get the job. this seems a little unusual to me - would this be for the recruitment company or will it go to the company recruiting? i told my wife to call back to the recruitment company and ask them for more guidance on this but i was wondering if some one has any experience on this in the meantime?

This sounds like one of those grubby Jobs path companies coaching a JSA recepient on how to apply for a job. Absolutely ludicrous request particularly given your wife has clear experience. If the Role is advertised and your wife has actually given permission for her resume to be submitted, her qualifications and experience should suffice in being invited for an interview.

Jim2007

Dempo1 wrote: »

This sounds like one of those grubby Jobs path companies coaching a JSA recepient on how to apply for a job. Absolutely ludicrous request particularly given your wife has clear experience. If the Role is advertised and your wife has actually given permission for her resume to be submitted, her qualifications and experience should suffice in being invited for an interview.

Really, hmm let think for a minute.... why would I be bothered to take on someone who can't seem to follow such basic instructions, when there are plenty of candidates who can.... yep can't think of a single reason....

Dempo1

Jim2007 wrote: »

Really, hmm let think for a minute.... why would I be bothered to take on someone who can't seem to follow such basic instructions, when there are plenty of candidates who can.... yep can't think of a single reason....

Don't spend too much time thinking but do read the OP, the instruction as you refer to it came form a recruitment agency not the employer. I find it hard to believe any reputable employer, particularly in a high skilled sector would require any candidate to write an absurd and silly letter stating why they want a job, just silly beyond belief as it would appear the agency is.

silent_spark

Dempo1 wrote: »

Don't spend too much time thinking but do read the OP, the instruction as you refer to it came form a recruitment agency not the employer. I find it hard to believe any reputable employer, particularly in a high skilled sector would require any candidate to write an absurd and silly letter stating why they want a job, just silly beyond belief as it would appear the agency is.

The cover letter is to outline why they think they should get the job, not why they want it. This is a really basic element of the recruitment process in most industries, particularly ones not using a detailed application form. It just outlines how their qualifications and experience match the specific requirements of the role. There’s nothing absurd or silly about it.

Dempo1

silent_spark wrote: »

The cover letter is to outline why they think they should get the job, not why they want it. This is a really basic element of the recruitment process in most industries, particularly ones not using a detailed application form. It just outlines how their qualifications and experience match the specific requirements of the role. There’s nothing absurd or silly about it.

I could understand an entry level position but not a highly skilled roll, particularly Pharma who would take the hand off any highly skilled and experienced applicant at the moment, I just don't buy that a cover letter is required in this scenario, the employer will make a decision whether to meet/interview applicant on the basis of their resume which I assume has been submitted as would be the norm.

riffmongous

Deleted User wrote: »

Learn a bit about the company, look at your experience/qualifications , and tell them how your experience/qualifications and ambitions make you perfect for the role.

The cover letter can be the difference between you getting an interview, and not even getting a response

Just sound really positive and confident (not big headed or cocky), it has never failed me

And make it clear that you are taking directly to them (the company you are applying to) and not a generic cover letter

Aleece2020 wrote: »

Do you have any tips for writing a good cover letter? I've heard the usual from recruiters, career coaches etc. but I find that the people who have successfully gotten a job based on them tend to have the best advice.

Yeah pretty much everything quoted here.

Very first thing, get a name to address the letter to if you can, rather than a 'dear sir/madam'.

Then start with a paragraph where you explicitly say you are applying for this job at this company and give a line or two of why you are right for the job.

Next an extended section where you talk about yourself and your experiences and in doing so address the key technical points for the job individually and in detail if you can. Expand on the bullet points from your CV here.

Wrap it up with a paragraph where you talk about the soft skills you have from work and hobbies; team player/independent, management experience, quick learner, open for something new etc. How you will fit in to the new company and what you can offer them. Be specific and always give an example/explanation for why you are e.g. a team player, don't just say it.

Hope that helps a little, good luck with the application!