What do employees look for in a covering letter?
Discussion
I am in the process of applying for graduate schemes within the automotive industry, most of which begin in September this year. A family member has offered to pass my details on to the HR department within the company he works for. This is due to the fact the company closed the application process early as they do not know how many people they can take on due to the current financial troubles. However he says if he I send him my CV and a covering letter and CV, he will pass them on and I will still be considered for the scheme.
Now with me being 20 my CV is relatively bare, it only features GCSE and A Level results (which are not too bad at all), previous employments which consist of the only 2 jobs I've had (I have had part time work since I was 14 and these jobs do cover the whole 6 years with no breaks hence why there's only two jobs, I'm not just lazy!), details of my current education at the University of Nottingham and finally hobbies/personal interests which include motorbike racing, most sports like football/rugby/cricket, cars, fitness etc. None of this conveys why I would be so good for the particular job I'm applying for.
So what can I put in my covering letter that will really make me stand out. I presume showing a good understanding of the company helps, as well as stating why I would like to work for them and what I could bring to the company. But is there anything else I need to put that they will be looking for and that will help set me apart from the rest?
Any help is hugely appreciated!!
Now with me being 20 my CV is relatively bare, it only features GCSE and A Level results (which are not too bad at all), previous employments which consist of the only 2 jobs I've had (I have had part time work since I was 14 and these jobs do cover the whole 6 years with no breaks hence why there's only two jobs, I'm not just lazy!), details of my current education at the University of Nottingham and finally hobbies/personal interests which include motorbike racing, most sports like football/rugby/cricket, cars, fitness etc. None of this conveys why I would be so good for the particular job I'm applying for.
So what can I put in my covering letter that will really make me stand out. I presume showing a good understanding of the company helps, as well as stating why I would like to work for them and what I could bring to the company. But is there anything else I need to put that they will be looking for and that will help set me apart from the rest?
Any help is hugely appreciated!!
Yes - I'd add that you include something that sets you apart in terms of passion for the field and 'originality'. Something you did when younger to do with technology that most other kids would not have. E.g. having completed the Lego Technic chassis at the age of three, or, modd'ing proper (e.g. Tamiya) remote-control model cars, or better still - ones that had actual engines; or having been involved in a local project to build a hovercraft powered by a lawnmower engine. Shh1t like that. Anything that put you across as passionate about what is core to the business you're applying to. It doesn't necessarily have to relate directly to the job in question - cos you're asking what puts your CV apart. The rest of your CV as you've been advised here should indeed be relevant and tailored - but that something extra can be completely left-of-field. Remember - a CV is just a means to get your butt on that interview seat - the rest is decided in the first 20 seconds of their meeting you. Passion and enthusiasm are your keys (not annoying alacrity - please examine the difference!). Good luck!
Your post shows you can string a sentence or two together fairly competently, which is a bonus these days. 
Make extra certain everything factual on the letter (addresses, names etc.) is correct. Try not to put in loads of HR waffle, and make sure to not duplicate the personal statement on your CV (if there is one; I hate them myself but it's a matter of preference).
That you were concerned enough to ask for tips means you are likely to be one of the better candidates.
Make extra certain everything factual on the letter (addresses, names etc.) is correct. Try not to put in loads of HR waffle, and make sure to not duplicate the personal statement on your CV (if there is one; I hate them myself but it's a matter of preference).
That you were concerned enough to ask for tips means you are likely to be one of the better candidates.
I too have been applying for graduate schemes recently. Found the ones which require a covering letter (as opposed to an online form to fill in) allow you much more scope to be creative and explain exactly why you want to work there. But, you really need to tailor it quite tightly to each specific application and show insight into their business. The generic "strong leader who works well in a team and has excellent organisational skills" kind of letter just gets glossed over and ignored (as those skills should be a given).
I found I've got the best responses when I've referenced some of my experiences from my C.V. and then given examples in the covering letter as to how these experiences may be directly applicable to their organisation. For example, I (along with a couple of mates) pitched a Gap Year travel website to a publishing company and we received £3000 sponsorship. That took about two lines in the C.V. So, when applying to something like a Venture Capitalist, I could allude to that experience in the cover letter and expand on it slightly to demonstrate that I have some (very limited) knowledge that directly ties in with their sort of business model. You kind of need to spin something along those lines for each covering letter and explain why your prior experiences could be of use to their business specifically. It's easier than it first appears - once you've filled in a few forms you realise that the style of questioning is similar and you're able to build up a 'pool' of answers which can be suitably adapted to fit with each business.
I had a cursory glance at the automotive sector schemes (studying pure Biology degree - maybe not what they're looking for) and filled in the JLR one. Had a look at a few other car manufacturer wesbites and they don't seem to have much going on in the way of schemes at the moment (the VAG page helpfully informs us that there is "currently no Graduate Scheme for 2008/9" - nothing like maintaining an up-to-date web presence, eh chaps?). Who are you thinking of applying with?
Each graduate scheme application (assuming it's one of the online ones and you do it properly) will take roughly three hours I've found. Try not to get disheartened when you spend three hours filling one in, then get a rejection email the next week with absolutely no explanation. I've filled in quite a few now and now have a couple of assessment days/open days lined up, but it's taken a while.
Good Luck!
I found I've got the best responses when I've referenced some of my experiences from my C.V. and then given examples in the covering letter as to how these experiences may be directly applicable to their organisation. For example, I (along with a couple of mates) pitched a Gap Year travel website to a publishing company and we received £3000 sponsorship. That took about two lines in the C.V. So, when applying to something like a Venture Capitalist, I could allude to that experience in the cover letter and expand on it slightly to demonstrate that I have some (very limited) knowledge that directly ties in with their sort of business model. You kind of need to spin something along those lines for each covering letter and explain why your prior experiences could be of use to their business specifically. It's easier than it first appears - once you've filled in a few forms you realise that the style of questioning is similar and you're able to build up a 'pool' of answers which can be suitably adapted to fit with each business.
I had a cursory glance at the automotive sector schemes (studying pure Biology degree - maybe not what they're looking for) and filled in the JLR one. Had a look at a few other car manufacturer wesbites and they don't seem to have much going on in the way of schemes at the moment (the VAG page helpfully informs us that there is "currently no Graduate Scheme for 2008/9" - nothing like maintaining an up-to-date web presence, eh chaps?). Who are you thinking of applying with?
Each graduate scheme application (assuming it's one of the online ones and you do it properly) will take roughly three hours I've found. Try not to get disheartened when you spend three hours filling one in, then get a rejection email the next week with absolutely no explanation. I've filled in quite a few now and now have a couple of assessment days/open days lined up, but it's taken a while.
Good Luck!
Edited by wiffmaster on Sunday 9th January 06:04
[quote=wiffmaster]Each graduate scheme application (assuming it's one of the online ones and you do it properly) will take roughly three hours I've found. Try not to get disheartened when you spend three hours filling one in, then get a rejection email the next week with absolutely no explanation. I've filled in quite a few now and now have a couple of assessment days/open days lined up, but it's taken a while.[quote=wiffmaster]
I have just been through applying for grad schemes over the past 6 months and your advice is spot on. The only thing j would add and this will hopefully prove useful to the op as well is that to reduce the time it takes to do those bloody online applications I would keep a Word document with every single stupid question they ask you.
Eventually when you do a few you will build up a good bank of answers and can copy and paste them into your applications as they all tend to be the similar.
Check out wikijobs as well. It can be quite useul
I have just been through applying for grad schemes over the past 6 months and your advice is spot on. The only thing j would add and this will hopefully prove useful to the op as well is that to reduce the time it takes to do those bloody online applications I would keep a Word document with every single stupid question they ask you.
Eventually when you do a few you will build up a good bank of answers and can copy and paste them into your applications as they all tend to be the similar.
Check out wikijobs as well. It can be quite useul
Edited by AdamT on Sunday 9th January 06:43
Edited by AdamT on Sunday 9th January 06:47
i work in the motor industry and have worked for some major car manufacturers and know some of the grads on those schemes well, as the little f
kers used to work for me (some of them anyway).
Your degree discipline is not as important as you might think, however science, maths, analytical degrees, followed by business degrees take precedence ( we want to know that you are good with numbers, with some business sense). Secondly you need to emphasis what skills you can bring, in order of priority, Excel ( ideally advanced but at least intermediate ) followed by languages, ( most car firms are of a foreign persuasion )then excel, then languages, then powerpoint, then word, then excel. Whatever your degree discipline or grade, you need to show evidence of gaining some useful work skills. If you don't know what excel is then spend the rest of term learning, and put it on your cv /covering letter anyway. You will need at least a 2:1.
As for experiences, if you've done part time shop work, talk about customer service, telesales/call centre work, talk about your sales skills. YOU MUST give evidence of doing something other than drinking during you time at Uni. Such as, organising grad ball, or involved with running the student union, or chair of the politics society, or if you must, captain of the football team.
If you get an interview, firstly ( on a grad scheme ) they will do a verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning test. This is so that we can check if you have some logic skills, then it will be an assessment centre. These are about your ability to work with a team, to organise and structure a way through the activities - not about being the loudest etc. Quiet, determined, considered and logical is the way forward in these. Then you might get the opportunity for an interview - Be prepared they will ask mostly std questions.
Then you might get a job, move to the head office and bang your way around the flange that these name places attract. ( if you want to know where all the good looking bright girls end up it is usually in a household name company head office ) Mingers end up in the accounts dept of the 'build centre'.
hth.
kers used to work for me (some of them anyway).Your degree discipline is not as important as you might think, however science, maths, analytical degrees, followed by business degrees take precedence ( we want to know that you are good with numbers, with some business sense). Secondly you need to emphasis what skills you can bring, in order of priority, Excel ( ideally advanced but at least intermediate ) followed by languages, ( most car firms are of a foreign persuasion )then excel, then languages, then powerpoint, then word, then excel. Whatever your degree discipline or grade, you need to show evidence of gaining some useful work skills. If you don't know what excel is then spend the rest of term learning, and put it on your cv /covering letter anyway. You will need at least a 2:1.
As for experiences, if you've done part time shop work, talk about customer service, telesales/call centre work, talk about your sales skills. YOU MUST give evidence of doing something other than drinking during you time at Uni. Such as, organising grad ball, or involved with running the student union, or chair of the politics society, or if you must, captain of the football team.
If you get an interview, firstly ( on a grad scheme ) they will do a verbal reasoning and numerical reasoning test. This is so that we can check if you have some logic skills, then it will be an assessment centre. These are about your ability to work with a team, to organise and structure a way through the activities - not about being the loudest etc. Quiet, determined, considered and logical is the way forward in these. Then you might get the opportunity for an interview - Be prepared they will ask mostly std questions.
Then you might get a job, move to the head office and bang your way around the flange that these name places attract. ( if you want to know where all the good looking bright girls end up it is usually in a household name company head office ) Mingers end up in the accounts dept of the 'build centre'.
hth.
Thanks for all the advice, it has helped me come up with some things which might help to set me apart. I am certainly computer literate although I have no formal qualifications so am I still okay putting this? I have basic French writing and speaking skills as well as basic Mandarin language skills, although would like to progress with both languages if possible.
In terms of 'passion for the field' and 'originality', is it worth mentioning that I built my own motorbike when I was 13? By this I mean I put a race tuned 80cc engine into my 50cc rev and go off roader and needed to weld new mounting points on the frame etc. I also set up my own car washing business a few years ago when I was in between jobs over summer. This managed to net me almost £800 over an 8 week period so wasn't a bad effort.
I work in retail at the moment with Argos (am I allowed to put the name? Too late!) so have knowledge of sales and customer focused roles etc. Is it also worth mentioning that I was in charge of recruitment and training for the christmas temps at my store this year? And before anyone mentions it the recruitment processes are completely different and so this does not help me whatsoever!!
wiffmaster - I noticed that about the VAG page but wherever I cannot find a way to apply I e-mail the company and ask for details etc. I am still waiting for a reply from them though.
Thanks again for the replies!
In terms of 'passion for the field' and 'originality', is it worth mentioning that I built my own motorbike when I was 13? By this I mean I put a race tuned 80cc engine into my 50cc rev and go off roader and needed to weld new mounting points on the frame etc. I also set up my own car washing business a few years ago when I was in between jobs over summer. This managed to net me almost £800 over an 8 week period so wasn't a bad effort.
I work in retail at the moment with Argos (am I allowed to put the name? Too late!) so have knowledge of sales and customer focused roles etc. Is it also worth mentioning that I was in charge of recruitment and training for the christmas temps at my store this year? And before anyone mentions it the recruitment processes are completely different and so this does not help me whatsoever!!
wiffmaster - I noticed that about the VAG page but wherever I cannot find a way to apply I e-mail the company and ask for details etc. I am still waiting for a reply from them though.
Thanks again for the replies!
Everything you've mentioned in that above post is worth putting in, but you want to make sure you don't make the letter too long and verbose. So, you could say something like "I have always had a passion for all things automotive, which led me to me building my first motorbike at aged 13 and setting up a car valeting business during the summer holidays". Obviously phrase it better than that, but by mentioning it in passing, it gives them something to ask you about at interview which will allow your passion to come across. Plus, it only takes up a couple of lines. In my JLR application, I mentioned that my first car was a classic Land Rover and that I'd done a LR factory tour as well as numerous off-road days. It's not exactly ground-breaking stuff, but at least it shows that I've had a passion for the brand and industry well before I was ever considering a career with them. That is, I suspect, more than most graduates can say about the companies they're applying for.
Anything at all which shows you've taken initiative or been given responsibility is worth sticking in. As graduates, people are unlikely to have worked in a full-time 'real' job for any considerable length of time. So once they've applied the grade/subject filters, it's those little extras which distinguish you from the rest and will get you to the interview. I think getting to the interview stage with these apps is half the battle. Once you're at interview, it's much easier to demonstrate your passions and abilities in person than it is in text.
Anything at all which shows you've taken initiative or been given responsibility is worth sticking in. As graduates, people are unlikely to have worked in a full-time 'real' job for any considerable length of time. So once they've applied the grade/subject filters, it's those little extras which distinguish you from the rest and will get you to the interview. I think getting to the interview stage with these apps is half the battle. Once you're at interview, it's much easier to demonstrate your passions and abilities in person than it is in text.
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff