Importance of a Covering Letter?

[MrAdaam]

What do you think? How important is a good covering letter? And what implications may a bad one have?

Discuss...

[c8bof]

If it's accompanying one of our standard application forms, we ignore it completely - everything we want to know is asked for on the form. We don't take CVs. Every employer is going to be different.

[scirocco265]

If you don't have a covering letter, I think you're just fired your CV off to anyone and everyone. The covering letter highlights your relevant key skills.

[Doniger]

c8bof said:

If it's accompanying one of our standard application forms, we ignore it completely - everything we want to know is asked for on the form. We don't take CVs. Every employer is going to be different.

scirocco265 said:

If you don't have a covering letter, I think you're just fired your CV off to anyone and everyone. The covering letter highlights your relevant key skills.

So just from these two responses alone, you can see it's only important half the time - but you never know which half, so you should send one anyway (unless gambling excites you).

[Gargamel]

I don't tend to read them, but I do notice if they aren't there.

Short is best, don't repeat what is on the CV.

[Funk]

Don't put 'Discuss' at the bottom of the covering letter.

Why do people feel the need to tell us all to 'commence the discussion'? It's terribly patronising.

[itsnotarace]

A handwritten (with pen & ink) covering letter on nice writing paper has landed me a number of jobs in the past and it has always been bought up at interview. But then I have nice handwriting.

[spikeyhead]

I'd rather have a phone conversation with the hiring manager to discuss the role, ask if he has a more complete job spec and query a couple of things on the advert. Once I have that, I'll tailor the CV and email it, along with a few lines just to ensure they remembered the phone call.

[Chris_]

I like to see a hand-written covering letter (no application forms here). It shows me that the person applying has put in a certain amount of thought and effort into their application, and not simply doing a mail-shot without any thought or understanding of my company or the role on offer.

[Soovy]

MrAdaam said:

What do you think? How important is a good covering letter? And what implications may a bad one have?

Discuss...

Are you for real?!

No good covering letter, in the bin you go. Spelling, conjugation, handwriting, decent fountain pen, good quality paper.

They ALL matter.


I once got a very good job on the basis that the boss was a fountain pen nut. I got a Parker 51 out in the interview and hired me there and then!

Edited by Soovy on Monday 27th September 14:16

[MacW]

Chris_ said:

I like to see a hand-written covering letter (no application forms here). It shows me that the person applying has put in a certain amount of thought and effort into their application, and not simply doing a mail-shot without any thought or understanding of my company or the role on offer.

You wouldn't like to see mine, my handwriting is bloody atrocious.

I never quite worked out why. I'm reasonably intelligent, eloquent and precise but my right hand seemed to exhibit early onset Parkinson's at about age 8 and the resultant mess can even take some time for me translate on occasion.

[Chris_]

MacW said:

Chris_ said:

I like to see a hand-written covering letter (no application forms here). It shows me that the person applying has put in a certain amount of thought and effort into their application, and not simply doing a mail-shot without any thought or understanding of my company or the role on offer.

You wouldn't like to see mine, my handwriting is bloody atrocious.

I never quite worked out why. I'm reasonably intelligent, eloquent and precise but my right hand seemed to exhibit early onset Parkinson's at about age 8 and the resultant mess can even take some time for me translate on occasion.

I suppose I'm a bit of a hypocrite as my handwriting has always been poor as well (being left-handed doesn't help) so a typed letter would certainly have the right effect if it looks as if someone has at least taken some time over it, and put some effort into its contents. Basically, I am hoping to see why that person wants the specific job that I am offering, not just any job.

[Gargamel]

I guess he audience is different here.

I read between 200 - 300 cvs & applications a week. if anyone sent me a handwritten application letter I automatically think wierdo and add it to the sunshine file.

[Doniger]

It worries me that a recruitment consultant says that. Could you explain what is wrong with a decent handwritten letter and how it makes the writer a wierdo? Seriously - I'm not just being argumentative here and would really like to know why you'd frown on it.

Any idiot can knock out a CV and covering letter to a decent standard using MSword, but writing and general literacy without the aid of the F7 key seems to be turning into a dying art. I'm not in any position to be recruiting anyone (yet) but personally I'd be massively impressed by a good hand written letter.

[Acehood]

If you want a reverse-covering letter, I'd recommend this

Dear Sir/madam,

Thank you for your letter of <date>. After careful
consideration I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept
your refusal to offer me employment with your firm. This year I
have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large
number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising
field of candidates it is impossible for me to accept all
refusals.

Despite your firm's outstanding qualifications and previous
experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection
does not meet with my needs at this time. Therefore, I will
initiate employment with your firm immediately.

I look forward to seeing you then.

Best of luck in rejecting future candidates.

Sincerely,

<your name>

Edited by Acehood on Monday 27th September 19:39

[cqueen]

Acehood said:

If you want a reverse-covering letter, I'd recommend this

Dear Sir/madam,

Thank you for your letter of <date>. After careful
consideration I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept
your refusal to offer me employment with your firm. This year I
have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large
number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising
field of candidates it is impossible for me to accept all
refusals.

Despite your firm's outstanding qualifications and previous
experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection
does not meet with my needs at this time. Therefore, I will
initiate employment with your firm immediately.

I look forward to seeing you then.

Best of luck in rejecting future candidates.

Sincerely,

<your name>

Edited by Acehood on Monday 27th September 19:39

Might try that for a laugh, see how far I get with it

[Funk]

cqueen said:

Acehood said:

If you want a reverse-covering letter, I'd recommend this

Dear Sir/madam,

Thank you for your letter of <date>. After careful
consideration I regret to inform you that I am unable to accept
your refusal to offer me employment with your firm. This year I
have been particularly fortunate in receiving an unusually large
number of rejection letters. With such a varied and promising
field of candidates it is impossible for me to accept all
refusals.

Despite your firm's outstanding qualifications and previous
experience in rejecting applicants, I find that your rejection
does not meet with my needs at this time. Therefore, I will
initiate employment with your firm immediately.

I look forward to seeing you then.

Best of luck in rejecting future candidates.

Sincerely,

<your name>

Edited by Acehood on Monday 27th September 19:39

Might try that for a laugh, see how far I get with it

You already didn't get the job, so what have you got to lose?

[bga]

A covering letter (hand written or not) doesn't get any priority with me. The CV should say it all. If it hits the requirements of the job advert then the candidate will get an interview. If it doesn't then they won't.

My contact details are available in a variety of place and an email or phone call from a candidate would get a better reception from me.

[V8HSV]

With twenty years in permanent technical recruitment I must say that hand written letters are a thing of the past for us (unless we are recruiting for ourselves) and we do not have the time to scan such a document or the inclination to add it to our database, we really only accept CV’s in Word via our web, advertising portals & email.

However most agencies will present a CV to a client with a cover or first page to a candidates CV with the consultants comments normally gleamed from an interview, face-to-face or over the phone. It is here that an accompanying letter or introduction from the applicant can be most useful provided it does not cover verbatim what is already detailed within their CV as a good précis or explanation of what they actually do rather than just responsibilities can aid both the consultant and candidate in the presentation of an agency CV to a client company.

Additionally pertinent to the above, agencies do not want British nationality stated, date of birth as it would be seen as discrimination by today’s law. Address & contact details will be stripped from any CV before being sent to a client so an electronic covering note or letter to accompany a CV omitting the above on their CV will be appreciated.

BTW I work harder for those that ring me & convince me they are the right candidate as tghey do the 'sales' bit for me!

The above is merely my viewpoint and hopefully an aid to those applying for roles with agencies.

[Gargamel]

Doniger said:

It worries me that a recruitment consultant says that. Could you explain what is wrong with a decent handwritten letter and how it makes the writer a wierdo? Seriously - I'm not just being argumentative here and would really like to know why you'd frown on it.

Any idiot can knock out a CV and covering letter to a decent standard using MSword, but writing and general literacy without the aid of the F7 key seems to be turning into a dying art. I'm not in any position to be recruiting anyone (yet) but personally I'd be massively impressed by a good hand written letter.

Ok, so lets get this out in the open.

Clearly there are individuals behind the CV, but I don't look at it like that. I am not interested in your childrens names nor overly interested in "your great communication skills" or extensive commercial experience.

I profile CVs according to what will work for my client. Who you work for, what you do, what value did you create in your role, it is all about key competence and allying that with the right "fit" into the business. It doesn't have to be perfect, you might not have industry experience, it might be a step up, you might be moving disciplines but I just want the facts, not poetry on a page.

IF you sent me a handwritten letter, it would arrive in the post no? Therefore your CV is now also on paper with it.... so now I have to call you and get you to send it to me again electronically so I can get it into my system.

Now I am thinking - hmmmm this candidate is trying to be noticed, why is that....because the really good candiates are always a little understated. No photos, no green ink, no references from their mate, no bullst lingo/techno babble

Its just one point of view.

As to the comment " any idiot can knock out a CV" - my friend you would be amazed at some of the CVs that I receive. MBAs who can spell, to mustachioed gentlemen from Bangalore, who after six months in a "western" call center are suddenly ready to become the UK MD of a FTSE 250....