What to put in a covering letter?

[Dupont666]

Got to create one for the first time and was just wondering what do the folks on PH think makes a good covering letter?

The role is Associate/Vice President, Developer (in JAVA and OO)

And no i dont know why american companies give out role titles live that as it all looks bks to me.

Cheers for any help.

[V8mate]

Try putting 'Covering letter' into Google

[Dupont666]

Aye i did that, but was wanting to get real peoples opinions on what they want to see when they are looking at candidates, I would ask my headhunter bod, but he spouts absolute ste most of the time and just tells you what you want to hear.... And to be honest if the truth ever left his mouth I think i would drop down dead of shock.

[The Frog Gobbler]

Is it through a recruitment company or "direct"?

Either way look at the advert / role description and pull out the key words.

Why? Because the person opening your letter will NOT be the person making the decision it'll probably be a researcher or a PA. Their job will be to show "the boss" the best 1/3 to 1/2 of the applications. So help them to put your CV and cover letter in the "yes" pile.

Keep the letter short (same reason....you're partially an admin task).

Ask for an interview and make it plain that you're prepared to meet them at any time.

Good luck.

[Puff Puff]

Have a good look at the job description and person spec. and write about how well you meet them, also about the knowledge and experience you are bringing to the role and how it will be of benefit to the company.

[oyster]

Dupont666 said:

Got to create one for the first time and was just wondering what do the folks on PH think makes a good covering letter?

The role is Associate/Vice President, Developer (in JAVA and OO)

And no i dont know why american companies give out role titles live that as it all looks bks to me.

Cheers for any help.

Is that a VP role or a developer role? Both very very different.

[XJSJohn]

The Frog Gobbler said:

Is it through a recruitment company or "direct"?

Either way look at the advert / role description and pull out the key words.

Why? Because the person opening your letter will NOT be the person making the decision it'll probably be a researcher or a PA. Their job will be to show "the boss" the best 1/3 to 1/2 of the applications. So help them to put your CV and cover letter in the "yes" pile.

Keep the letter short (same reason....you're partially an admin task).

Ask for an interview and make it plain that you're prepared to meet them at any time.

Good luck.

spot on advice there.

[Dupont666]

oyster said:

Dupont666 said:

Got to create one for the first time and was just wondering what do the folks on PH think makes a good covering letter?

The role is Associate/Vice President, Developer (in JAVA and OO)

And no i dont know why american companies give out role titles live that as it all looks bks to me.

Cheers for any help.

Is that a VP role or a developer role? Both very very different.

Associate/VP is from what i gather of the americanism that they like to use, the same as a senior developer or there abouts.