topic Re: Help With Cover Letters in Community Chat

Help With Cover Letters

Jordan2 — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 23:50:49 GMT

So, gone are the days when you filled out an application for a job and interviewed in person. Nowadays you search online to apply for a position. Here in lies the problem for me, I'm not a techie and don't know how to compose a cover letter to go with my resume when applying for a job. There are websites that help you write a letter claiming to be free but always want payment before you can download or print the cover letter. Also I have no idea which template to use for my letter. Can anyone offer me any tips?

Re: Help With Cover Letters

ThinkingOutLoud — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 21:38:53 GMT

It should be pretty short and highlight the reasons you'd be great for the position.

Google 'sample cover letter for resume' and look at the images for ideas on format, etc.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

FlyersGirl — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 21:39:36 GMT

Just Google sample cover letter. Indeed.com has dozens. Career builder probably does too. AARP has a template guide. Lots of stuff available for free.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

Kachina624 — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 21:41:51 GMT

@Jordan2 Your local state employment service office probably has workshops covering job search skills including resume and letter-writing. Call and ask. They will be free. Well worth the time and effort.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

RedTop — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 21:47:41 GMT

@Jordan2

If you Google "how to write a cover letter", you will see that the purpose of it is to spark enough interest in your qualifications for someone to take a deeper look at your resume and job references. When I Googled it, I read a nice cover letter that could be used as your guide.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

ECBG — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 21:48:08 GMT

@Jordan2

The easiest method is to line up everything to the left margin.

Company Name

Address

City, State Zip

Date

Dear Mr XXXXXXX:

Paragraph

Sincerely,

(4 spaces) for your signature

Your name in print

Hope this helps.

The fees you saw were for different phrases to insert into you document.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

ThinkingOutLoud — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 21:51:38 GMT

In addition to the above, it might be a good idea to include the name of the position and job # near the top.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

On It — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 21:51:42 GMT

@Jordan2 Artificial intelligence is reading and selecting candidates for a response in the large companies. To catch that computer's attention there are buzz words it is programmed to recognize. Including phrases that contain those words helps to get that all important first interview and contact with a human.

Google "buzz words and phrases to include in a cover letter." I hope the list I saw a while back will appear. It can't hurt to use those terms even with a small business. Good luck in your search.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

Jordan2 — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 21:55:05 GMT

Thanks everybody!

Re: Help With Cover Letters

ECBG — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 22:13:36 GMT

@Jordan2

If you do an RE: put it before the Dear Mr.XXXXX

Re: Exact name of position for which you are applying.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

gizmogal — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 22:17:09 GMT

Make sure someone proof reads any letter you intend to send. Spell check may not be enough. Here is a sentence from your post:

Also I have know idea which template to use for my letter.

It should have been written like this:

Also, I have no idea which template to use for my letter.

I'm not the spelling or grammar police and how you write your posts is quite OK. We all know to be forgiving. And everyone is casual about writing in posts, email, texting.

Potential employers will care a lot. That comma after Also in the sentence is appropriate. There is a big difference between "I have know idea" and "I have no idea". Using the wrong word for one that sounds alike will not be an advantage to you. Employers take writing skills seriously. They will not know if you used a template, but grammar and spelling mistakes will hurt your hiring chances.

Not an admonition, just being constructive. If you don't know anyone who is a scrupulous and skilled proof reader, print the letter and take it to a public library to ask a librarian to make sure it is perfect before you submit it with your résumé. Double check everything you mail out or hand over.

Best of luck in your job hunt. Stay confident!

Re: Help With Cover Letters

ellaphant — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 22:27:20 GMT

I don't know what job you are applying for but most jobs now require some computer skills. Best of luck.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

elated — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 23:00:05 GMT

This is the example I found:

Your Name

Your Address

Date

Recipients Name

Address

Position

Company

Address

Dear (Recipients Name or Sir or Madam (if name unknown)

Re: Name of position or vacancy -- including vacancy number, if applicable

I wish to apply for the above position as advertised in( name the source).

Say why you want the job and briefly outline relevant skills, experience and qualifications. Make sure these match you to what is asked for by the emp!oyer. If you can say what you know about the company and why you wish to work for them.

Finish by referring the reader to your accomplishments , i.e..more detail about your skills , experience and training. State your availability in case the employer has questions about your application.

I look forward to the opportunity of meeting you in person and discussing this role.

Yours sincerely (if you know the recipients name)

Yours faithfully (if you don't know the recipients name)

Double space between paragraphs and salutation.

I thought I would give you more detail on your cover letter. Good luck in your pursuit.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

Venezia — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 22:59:13 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
@Jordan2 Your local state employment service office probably has workshops covering job search skills including resume and letter-writing. Call and ask. They will be free. Well worth the time and effort.

@Kachina624 - I agree. That was my first thought. I know where I live, the state employment office is great at things like that. After all, they want people to be employed!

Re: Help With Cover Letters

Kachina624 — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 23:16:20 GMT

@Venezia With the advent of computers, job search techniques have changed drastically over the years. It was, therefore, necessary to teach people new ways of seeking work. That's what these workshops do.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

chrystaltree — Sat, 09 Jul 2022 23:41:20 GMT

Google "sample cover letters for job applicstion". You'll get a bunch of templates and advice.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

Trailrun23 — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 00:48:21 GMT

I don't know your age, but if there is an AARP or Senior Source in your area, they usually have resources to help with employment...and help with resumes, etc.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

luvmyteddy4 — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 02:37:02 GMT

Cover letters are important and thank you notes even more so.

Having worked in HR a thank you note after your interview can make a big difference between you and the other applicant applying for the same job esp if you are evenly matched in skills.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

RollTide2008 — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 03:51:14 GMT

The Ask a Manager blog has lots of good articles about cover letters. No offense, but some of this advice is dated snd bad.

Re: Help With Cover Letters

Desertdi — Sun, 10 Jul 2022 05:49:58 GMT

@RollTide2008 wrote:
The Ask a Manager blog has lots of good articles about cover letters. No offense, but some of this advice is dated snd bad.

@RollTide2008 You can say THAT, again!