Sending in CV - Cover email?
Discussion
Hi Chaps.
I have been forwarded an interesting looking QA vacancy from a friend of mine who works in said organisation. However, I'm stumped writing the cover email!
I've not done much of this before, having worked at the same company for nearly 7 years, and only having shop-type roles before that, how would one present one-self to a potential employer?
Job is basically a software tester, which I have done for the last 3 years. Saying I am looking for a step up sounds wrong to me, saying I am looking to leave my current employer due to them being f
king idiots is obviously a no-no...
If you were reading my email, would:
"I have been involved in Software testing for a few years now, and feel I am competent enough to apply for this vacancy." cut it, or not?
Cheers
I have been forwarded an interesting looking QA vacancy from a friend of mine who works in said organisation. However, I'm stumped writing the cover email!
I've not done much of this before, having worked at the same company for nearly 7 years, and only having shop-type roles before that, how would one present one-self to a potential employer?
Job is basically a software tester, which I have done for the last 3 years. Saying I am looking for a step up sounds wrong to me, saying I am looking to leave my current employer due to them being f
king idiots is obviously a no-no...If you were reading my email, would:
"I have been involved in Software testing for a few years now, and feel I am competent enough to apply for this vacancy." cut it, or not?
Cheers
I am writing to apply for the position of Software Testing Manger (or whatever)
Having recently spent several years in a development role where I have increased my knowledge and competency in software testing, I feel I am ready for a new challenge in a more dynamic and growing organisation.
I have attached my CV and would welcome the opportunity to answer any quesions you may have about my experience or suitability.
Many thanks for your consideration.
I'd say something along the lines of:
"To whom it may concern,
I wish to apply for the job of Software Tester, advertised on blah.com (ref 123456789). Please find attached my CV for your consideration.
I believe I have the right mix of skills and experience to bring to this role, particularly given my recent work with [impressive technology / project here].
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Beko1987"
Or something like that.
"To whom it may concern,
I wish to apply for the job of Software Tester, advertised on blah.com (ref 123456789). Please find attached my CV for your consideration.
I believe I have the right mix of skills and experience to bring to this role, particularly given my recent work with [impressive technology / project here].
I look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards
Beko1987"
Or something like that.
Gargamel said:
I am writing to apply for the position of Software Testing Manger (or whatever)
Having recently spent several years in a development role where I have increased my knowledge and competency in software testing, I feel I am ready for a new challenge in a more dynamic and growing organisation.
I have attached my CV and would welcome the opportunity to answer any quesions you may have about my experience or suitability.
Many thanks for your consideration.
CompetencE, FFS!Having recently spent several years in a development role where I have increased my knowledge and competency in software testing, I feel I am ready for a new challenge in a more dynamic and growing organisation.
I have attached my CV and would welcome the opportunity to answer any quesions you may have about my experience or suitability.
Many thanks for your consideration.
Ah cheers for your replies. Went with the first one, personalised it as needed and changed competency to competence.
My friend says the contact has gone home now, but he will chat to her tomorrow. Luckily I worked with this friend on the project I'm on now so fingers crossed he can give his professional opinion of me!
My friend says the contact has gone home now, but he will chat to her tomorrow. Luckily I worked with this friend on the project I'm on now so fingers crossed he can give his professional opinion of me!
If you follow the advice above you might be OK. You'll certainly be doing what people expect. However over the last decade I have come to learn that a well crafted covering letter / email offers far more insight into a candidate than a CV ever can.
CVs tend to be somewhat formulaic and are usually desperately dull, but a well written covering letter can show me a number of things
1) You really understand the role you are applying for
2) You can write succinctly and in a compelling way - (a frustratingly rare skill)
3) You can navigate the line between making a strong case for yourself and avoiding hyperbole
Tell them what you have done, why you believe you are right for the job, but most importantly why you are different in a way that is genuine and compelling and you'll be doing yourself a tremendous favour
Good luck
CVs tend to be somewhat formulaic and are usually desperately dull, but a well written covering letter can show me a number of things
1) You really understand the role you are applying for
2) You can write succinctly and in a compelling way - (a frustratingly rare skill)
3) You can navigate the line between making a strong case for yourself and avoiding hyperbole
Tell them what you have done, why you believe you are right for the job, but most importantly why you are different in a way that is genuine and compelling and you'll be doing yourself a tremendous favour
Good luck
Pothole said:
ould you? You'd be wrong.
"Neither competence nor competency has any sense in which the other cannot be used; the first form is gaining on the second (1926).... competence is now markedly more frequent than competency (1998)". Fowler
Just because one is more common, doesn't make it the only way.
So judgemental these grammarians, communication is what is important.
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