Cover Letter, Ideas?

“Anybody any good at writin' cover letters. I'm only applying for part-time jobs . . . what's w/ every place needing cover letters, resumes, and applications to fill out. All that paperwork to sort through . . . why can't they make it simple and less work for themselves?

Anyway, who knows how to write a short and sweet one?”

“Have buddha bear write you a "newgirl matrix" cover letter. They will hire ya right away...

Sorry, I wish I could be more helpful...Good Luck...I hope you find something soon :-)”

“newgirl, if I can find time this evening or tomorrow, I will send you one.”

“If you use MS-Word, the program has templates.

I've been writing them for a few months--still writing but willing to offer some help

E-mail me at: mark.r.nielsen@att.net”

“The letter should mention that the voices in your head told you to apply for this job.”

“Yeah, Stump, I know there are templates, but they are totally retarded ones. Like I'm going to open up a cover letter w/ "I've been the right hand man . . ."

Gordon, that is too funny. I don't know if mine is too short and sweet, but I just want to get to the damned point. Stump or Chili, do you want to review mine?”

“I'll be more than happy to email mine to you.

Since I write professionally for a living, I had little choice but to actually take my time and do a good job with it (unlike some of my posts here).

artex_ny@yahoo.com”

“Thanks Artex, I sent you an e-mail.”

“Maybe sometimes I don't have enough confidence either. I feel like I have the skills and then when I have to write about it, I'm all, "I kinda' know how to use PowerPoint." Do you guys know what I mean?”

“Newgirl, you've spent too much time posting on TT and your mind has turned to mush.

Get outta here while you still can and put that brain to work.”

“LOL! It's prolly true Geezr. I've actually been filling out applications for 2 days. I'm sick of it.”

“Here, Newgirl! I stole some Cowboy poetry for you. Just put this on the cover and you'll be all set!

Living in the east has surely a certain style.
Nightclubs and traffic jams and crazy kids getting wild.
Well I grew up right here, but I dream of the west,
wild horses and rodeos, I rode with the best.

Ya see, I learned from the cowboys I watched on TV.
The Lone Ranger and Roy Rogers were the favorites to me.
Well Ma said "You 're old enough Newgirl to go off the block".
So I headed down to the local stable, said "Sir I'd like to ride your stock".”

“LOL! You're pretty handy at that Aero! Thank the Lord I'm not applying for rodeo positions!”

“I understand that Ice Tea is the resident expert in these matters. Perhaps he will help out.”

“newgirl, send it to jbrockman@smclean.com”

“Oh it's all-purpose! I wonder what they'd say down at A&F?”

“Newgirl in Wranglers, now how can anyone turn ya down?”

“Those little teenaged jerks at A&F haven't called! LOL! I thought I had that one in the bag. Darn. I won't be able to get my hands on those flip-flops.

Sending it Chili.”

“Newgirl, DBC is looking for a good Equipment Tech!!!!!!!!”

“I don't think I'm qualified Geezr!”

“Oh, I'm sure you'd qualify, newgirl.. their old tech just left and I heard he was totally inept!”

“If they can train me, they can . . . well, Aero put it best. ;-)”

“newgirl, you have mail.....let me know if you need any further help”

“Don't worry, Geezr, as long as they don't replace you with one of Lyra's monkeys.”

“NG - I've always been taught 3 paragraphs.

First paragraph - where you heard about the job and exactly which job you're applying for. You should try to say something you know about the comapny.

Second paragraph - a very brief summary of your qualifications and how they relate to the job. If you kinda know how to use power point, say you "have experience with powerpoint". You don't have to say how much.

Third paragraph - your closer. Tell them when YOU will contact them (in a week or so) and how you look forward to speaking with them, blah, blah, blah.

If I had one of mine here, I'd send it to you. I'll try to dig one out tonight.”

“Aero, that's what I replaced! I heard he moved on to become a geologist.”

“Nice summary smiley. We just finished covering this in my Applied Communication: Writing course for welding and marine/outdoor power product program students.

In that second paragraph, your goal is to show how the attached resume links to the skill and experience criteria mentioned in the ad. If there are no specific criteria, you have to draw the links yourself to show you understand what may be expected of you on the job. For example, if the want ad says "retail experience necessary," you'll have to cover typical retail tasks -- stocking/straightening merchandise, creating displays, customer checkout and credit card transactions, closing out the till, shoplifting monitoring, etc. -- that you can cite to show them you understand what retail work is all about.

Any accomplishments that have some application to the job can also be referred to in that second paragraph, even if they weren't specifically connected -- "Most improved worker for the quarter" lets them know you strive to do better on your jobs -- and so on.

Stay focused in your message, write a specific cover letter for each job you apply for, and good luck.”

“Thanks for all the help everyone. It's not like I've never had a class that taught this stuff and never, ever had to do it, but it's not so easy. The words don't come to me real simple, Ma! LOL!

Artex and Chili, thanks soooooo much. You guys helped me alot.

Smiley, that is a good format.

BTW, A&F did end up calling. I have an interview for Wed. afternoon. Those flip-flops are w/in my grasp now!”

“Business letters

If the link doesn't work here is the cut/paste version.
http://www.4hb.com/letters/index.html”

“If ya still need some to look at, I could e-mail you a couple.

lisapbia@yahoo.com

Just let me know. Pretty typically my cover letter and resume will get me an interview. (but ok, sometimes NOT!! lol)”

“Do you ever use Monster? They have an excellent career advice section with cover letters, resumes, and thank you cards. I can write one once I get started but I always need help with the opening line.”

“Whatever you do don't make promises you can't keep in the cover letter. Ya know, stuff I like, "I never cruise the net on company time." and others like that. LOL!”

“Yeah, or "8 hours work for 8 hours pay"
Whoever heard of such a silly thing?!?”

“What??.. Not working at Montana's finest lumber yard no mo' ??

Sounds like you got plenty of help, but I have been using a book for years -- 'knock them dead'. It is excellent.

It focuses on the questions you get asked in interviews.

I also have a really good book for resumes and cover letters, but it is aimed at engineers (and other geeks).. and might not be what you want.

I can give you this advice tho. My killer cover letters where the ones when I was able to map what they were looking for into exactly what my resume said.

I used to use this generic approach, and wrote a one-size fits all letter -- but I have had my best success with one that responds with bullet points to every aspect of the ideal candidate for the job they are advertising.

If you didn't get enough help already, holla -- and I will try to email you a few examples.”

“Nigal you are flipping hilarious! I will definitely not lead them to believe that I actually work ALL day. I have TT afterall.

Thanks for all the other tips everybody. I think I have it nailed down now. I faxed and mailed several covers w/ resumes this AM.

Plus, HELLO, I got an interview at Abercrombie. I'm going to knock those little teens dead! And then score those flip-flops for alot less.

Honestly, I know I have skills that are way beyond working at Abercrombie, but I'm kinda' interested in something laid back for awhile. Simple w/ a good clothing discount!!!”

“Good luck with the job search, NG!!

I find I write a generic cover and then swap paragraphs to tailor specifically to the job.”

“That's more what I ended up doing too Rosey. Chili gave me some killer re-wording and then I just went from there.”

“...and put that brain to work."
~Geezr

That should get her through until morning break. LOL!



I can't much help with a cover letter, but I'm quite practiced at letters'o resignation.”

“Hey Newgie,

This is kind of a narrow viewpoint, but my wife is a human resources director and has to wade through lots of cover letters and resumes. For her, I think a cover letter only affects anything if it is really terrible. That is, if it's at least decent, it'll get the resume onto her desk, and that's what is really scrutinized. Just one person's perspective, so take it for what it's worth....

Good luck!”

“Good luck in your hunt Girly. You will go far no matter where you go.”

“Thanks Nigal!”

“Let us know how the A&F interview went! I totally know what you mean about something laid back. I still dream of going back to work at a plant/flower nursery. I totally love the neat, tidy rows of 13 different types of hostas, and the bright, beautiful blocks of annuals. Its so satisfying. :)”

“Smiley, are you Martha Stewart in disguise? LOL! It's not like the last 2 yrs. at the sawmill were major stress or anything, but I was in charge of payroll, quarterly taxes, A/R and A/P, major lumber purchasing, etc. Even though it was a wk. on/wk. off the other secertary was completely incapable, so I spent most of my wk. off taking her phone calls and running into the office and solving her meltdowns. Also, our boss was in the process of pursuing a seat in the state senate (which he won), so he was never around to handle anything. I thought to myself, I just want to take it easy. I don't want to be the responsible party.

So, right now I need to make a decision. You guys can help. What should I wear to the A&F interview? Professional or similar to what they wear in the store or somewhere in between? I read once that in an interview you should wear what the people working at that particular co. wear, so you project the "I belong w/ you people" idea.”

“I wish I could help, but I am so totally out of touch with fashion for your age group, it is hilarious.

From what I see, however, hip huggers with a midriff blouse, sandals and a bellybutton ring would probably do the trick.”

“Just make sure you wear a thong :)”

“Thanks for the good advice Rosey! Okay, I think I'm going to wear something that isn't too showy, but similar to their deal in the store. So here are the choices, skirt or pants?

And no, Bit, a bellybutton ring is not a choice.”

“Skirt, just make sure you don't waer the thong on your head.”

“Ummm, I would say go modern. Most of their female models seem to always be wearing khakis or something, no? My vote is for pants.”

“I will note that excellent piece of fashion advice, Chief. Skirt it is.

Next, a button up sleevless (how the hell do you sp. that?) top or or layer tank tops (like I saw the manager wearing last Wed.)?”

“How about a sleeveless tank top?

Oh. never mind.”