Opinions, please

[p.dath]

Here's an example of the sort of letter I write...if you are in the recruitment industry, so to speak, your thoughts would be appreciated.

First, pretend your the person getting at least 100 applications. Don't waste time saying things that are not important. Say why you are the right person for the job. Your letter has to do nothing else than get you a call back. Then you complete the sale process.

The letter of introduction you supply looks good to me. Sounds like there might be a lot of competition for that kind of job in your local area.

[Scuba_Steve]

So you prefer short and to the point?

Something like "Ooooh I've done that before. It was a doodle and I was the best worker they ever had. I'll start Monday." ??

Sweet your've got the job! you'll start the Monday after I think of what that job is & create it. That gets 2 of us employed....

It sucks not being able to find a job, it's good knowing your not the only one

[Usarka]

I'm overly critical with application letters and CV's (I bin any CV or letter with a spelling mistake) so take this with a grain of salt and as one mans view only, but the following:

Currently self-employed as a signwriter, but with this industry severely affected by the recession, I have been working at ------.

says to me "I have a real job/trade and your one is only of interest until the market picks up again".

[Virago]

I also agree with the pre-emptive personal approach - within reason. A brief visit to the business to meet the manager or personnel officer (to drop off your application) is a great move. If this isn't possible, a phone call isn't a silly idea.

Do a little homework before you go, perhaps a little google searching - the business size, market position, mission statements, etc - it may give you the opportunity to show genuine interest and knowledge.

Then leave it at that - harrassment generates irritation, which tends to cloud opinion.

If you're lucky enough to get an interview, do even more homework. Go along with a wide variety of questions which demonstrate knowledge and genuine interest. Many of these will be covered during the interview process, but it's good to have something else up your sleeve for discussion. There's nothing more telling than that moment towards the end of the interview when you're asked if you have any questions, than an embarrassed silence followed by a "No, don't think so.". It immediately suggests a blind and disinterested job application.

If you want to completely destroy any chance of an interview, get your mother or wife to make a pre-emptive call, write the application letter on your behalf, and make the follow-up phone call. Yes, I've had those recently...

[flyingcrocodile46]

I've been looking and applying for jobs for over a year now. Have had a few interviews, but no luck.
I have it on good authority that there is nothing wrong, and plenty right, with my app. letters, so I am wondering what I can do to increase my chances of an interview, at the very least.
I have some on the go atm, and have had the 'Your application has been received...' emails.
Should I follow up with a phone call or wait until they contact me?
Anything else I can try?

If you are providing referees or even name of contacts at previous places of employment you could try removing them.

Prospective employers and more particularly employment consultants will often contact previous employers (and may even ask a coworker if the boss isn't there) for a bit of feedback. If you are half as bolshy in RL as you are here, you will likely be getting some unfavorable verbal appraisals.

I find that applying for jobs that don't yet exist is the best way of getting into a face to face meeting in which you have an opportunity of creating a breathtakingly awesome impression of mega enthusiasm. Of course that only works if you are awesome at what you do and when the employer has the capacity to take on someone when they may not necessarily be needing someone.

I'd say good luck, but from where I sit you are an arsehole and don't deserve it. Your attitude is the best tool you have in life. Change it and make it work for you.

[mashman]

find out where they live before you approach them for a job.

Can you "retrain" in something that's current and pertinent to the job, or at least feign that you have? You only need to talk the talk, you don't really need to know anything (sometimes)

[MSTRS:Me]

find out where they live before you approach them for a job.

Is there a (legal) use for that sort of info?

... or at least feign that you have? You only need to talk the talk, you don't really need to know anything (sometimes)

I shudder to think of all the people out with jobs who got them on the basis of bullshit. I seem to come across an awful lot of absolutely incompetent drongos in jobs I'd like, and could do with my eyes closed, except they've got'em.

[scissorhands]

Try being autistic in the workplace, its a whole new way of viewing the world...

[mashman]

Is there a (legal) use for that sort of info?


I shudder to think of all the people out with jobs who got them on the basis of bullshit. I seem to come across an awful lot of absolutely incompetent drongos in jobs I'd like, and could do with my eyes closed, except they've got'em.

Mmmmmmm, I see, you want to earn your way into the job, how 70's

Shows it works eh

[SMOKEU]

Buy an ounce of skunk and some tin foil.

[AllanB]

I'd not mention self employed in the covering letter.

In my previous experience looking over CV's and interviewing people the 'self employed' looking for jobs either could not work well with others, thought they knew how to run everything or were a flight risk. Harsh as it sounds we had little luck with the self employed and tended to ditch their CV's.


Having said that when you get to the interview stage I'd be inclined to state you are looking to get out of self employment as it consumes all your weekend and is affecting your family. Of course you are more than happy to put in extra time at their job when required :-)

[Tigadee]

Don't turn up on your bike wearing full (esp. black) leathers. Automatic gang affiliation in their eyes...

Agree that the term self-employed be used sparingly, unless "self-employed millionaire" is an accurate description of you.

[mossy1200]

Don't turn up ony bike wearing full (esp. black) leathers. Automatic gang affiliation in their eyes...

Agree that the term self-employed be used sparingly, unless "self-employed millionaire" is an accurate description of you.

I did.Full leathers with crap cv.I never had to send a cover letter I just called and said I heard that you needed another electrician based on what I had heard at a wholesaler.great job.Im glad I made the effort.

BUT the thing I did have was a skill and experience thats hard to find with what they required.

You need to have something better than the rest to offer.Ask your friends what makes you cool to be around.Offer less info but include the thing that makes you stand out.

[AD345]

I've been hiring people for stores/warehousing work over the last several months (still am actually) and it's a pity you are not in Auckland.

However, if I didn't know it was you (the little I know of you as MSTRS on KB) that cover letter would not have got you to an interview.

Too personal and too off topic.

If you are applying for a specific role your cover letter and CV should only be about the attributes you have that you can bring to that role. I'm not interested in your previous work on other fields - at least not at the initial cull stage.

Glean as much information as you can about the role on offer and make the cover letter short(ish) and directly to the point of the job. Don't put in any limitations (can only work x days or Y hours - sort that out at the interview process).

As previously stated you are one of a lot of applicants and there is, of necessity, sweeping decisions made to cull applications down to the few worth seeing.

Cover letter to the point and offering the best possible reasons why you fit the role

CV needs to be briefly descriptive covering work history with highlights of relevant roles and experiences and qualifications

DO NOT HAVE UNEXPLAINED GAPS IN YOUR CV

Then it's down to luck, timing and you.

[SMOKEU]

DO NOT HAVE UNEXPLAINED GAPS IN YOUR CV

That sort of the problem I have with my CV. More like big gaping holes to be exact.