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Thread: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    Quote Originally Posted by shanna dior View Post
    ^See, I think the cover letter you posted is WAY too brief, like it doesn't really go into any additional detail than the CV offers.
    We may be running into a cultural issue -- you appear to be in the U.K, where the parameters for a cover letter are distinctly different.

    In U.S. professional circles, the cover letter should set the tone for the resume, e.g. it should show genuine interest while remaining professional, polite and, above all, concise. Detail should be reserved for the resume. Also, a "C.V." in the U.S. refers to an academic resume, where greater detail is commonly encountered.

    Since my business was international, I hired people from several dozen countries in probably 25+ languages. Each country approaches cover letters in a slightly different way. For example, the practice of including a photo, which is standard for an EU-format resume, would be considered inappropriate in the U.S.

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    I'm seeing a lot of employers asking for photos which if I understand is illegal in the US but they do it to screen out older people (or less attractive).

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    ^ There are industries where physical appearance is relevant. That's what photo and video portfolios are for, and everybody who works in media, stage, film, etc. have those. I have one myself, but it's strictly for my work in the national media. There was never any reason for me to use it in my commercial business.

    Outside of the media/entertainment and related industries, asking for a photo in the U.S. is just stirring up a hornet's nest. Honestly, I would avoid companies that requested one.

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    These aren't jobs that should even require a photo, which is scary. I have a modeling portfolio and will email photos if it's a look based job but these other jobs are just openly discriminating.

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    Quote Originally Posted by All Good Things View Post
    We may be running into a cultural issue -- you appear to be in the U.K, where the parameters for a cover letter are distinctly different.

    In U.S. professional circles, the cover letter should set the tone for the resume, e.g. it should show genuine interest while remaining professional, polite and, above all, concise. Detail should be reserved for the resume. Also, a "C.V." in the U.S. refers to an academic resume, where greater detail is commonly encountered.
    I recently moved to the UK but am from Canada, so my advice is based on Canadian practice. I've yet to apply for any jobs here in the UK. I suppose there may still be a level of cultural difference between Canada and the USA though.


    Quote Originally Posted by Kellydancer View Post
    These aren't jobs that should even require a photo, which is scary. I have a modeling portfolio and will email photos if it's a look based job but these other jobs are just openly discriminating.
    Companies like Hollister/Abercrombie get away with this sort of thing by calling their retail staff 'models'. This also allows them to require employees to tan and follow other appearance-based protocol. Silly but true!

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    Quote Originally Posted by etru View Post
    I agree with this. That first draft was way too much. Based upon your description of the company, I have a vague idea of who it is. If they are as old as you say, they most likely have a buttoned-up culture. Tone it down. These wacky cover letters come fairly often. All Good Things has the right idea. In an ideal world a bikini picture would be great. This is not an ideal world.
    I prefaced my post by stating that it wasn't a serious draft of my cover letter.... It did get a lot of laughs from the folks I shared it with (friends family classmates etc.)

    I set today aside to work on the real deal. There is so much good advice here. I LOVE SW Members.... this has been so helpful.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay12 View Post
    ^What Sophia said.
    Quote Originally Posted by yoda57us View Post
    I wish there was an "auto-like" setting that I could just have applied to all of your posts Sophia....

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    Quote Originally Posted by All Good Things View Post
    ^ There are industries where physical appearance is relevant. That's what photo and video portfolios are for, and everybody who works in media, stage, film, etc. have those. I have one myself, but it's strictly for my work in the national media. There was never any reason for me to use it in my commercial business.

    Outside of the media/entertainment and related industries, asking for a photo in the U.S. is just stirring up a hornet's nest. Honestly, I would avoid companies that requested one.
    A photograph isn't a big concern. Some employers want to have access to job candidates social media profiles. Check this out: http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/...ook-passwords/
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay12 View Post
    ^What Sophia said.
    Quote Originally Posted by yoda57us View Post
    I wish there was an "auto-like" setting that I could just have applied to all of your posts Sophia....

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    Quote Originally Posted by shanna dior View Post
    ^See, I think the cover letter you posted is WAY too brief, like it doesn't really go into any additional detail than the CV offers.
    Interesting. Damn... now I'm confused....

    Okay, I was relying on this advice: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2010...-to-companies/
    Companies (at least on this site) seem to value short, sweet & to the point Cover Letters.

    There is so much contradictory advice out there.... Grrr.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay12 View Post
    ^What Sophia said.
    Quote Originally Posted by yoda57us View Post
    I wish there was an "auto-like" setting that I could just have applied to all of your posts Sophia....

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    ^ Short, sweet and professional is best, at least in the U.S. A long cover letter will not be read, and it may cause the recruiter to toss the resume along with it.

    Since you are in competition with other applicants, you need the cover letter to draw the recruiter's attention to you. But put your best material in your resume.

    The model cover letter I wrote on the previous page should work well if you can adapt it to your specific company.

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    Thank you for all of your help. The internship I applied for is a no-go. I made it to the final round but now I am officially out.

    I guess it's back to the club for me. So much for civillian work. Heh.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay12 View Post
    ^What Sophia said.
    Quote Originally Posted by yoda57us View Post
    I wish there was an "auto-like" setting that I could just have applied to all of your posts Sophia....

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    ^ So sorry to hear this. The good news is that you advanced all the way to the final round, which is huge. That means that you are genuinely competitive in this insane cutthroat labor market.

    Please don't get discouraged. Coming in second in a race of dozens means you beat everybody except one.

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    It was more like 600+ applicants.... I dunno how many finalists were vying for the same spot I wanted. But I still somehow thought that with my accolades, Summa Cum Laudes, Awards, B.A. degree, advanced certifications, and the like, I would have persevered.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jay12 View Post
    ^What Sophia said.
    Quote Originally Posted by yoda57us View Post
    I wish there was an "auto-like" setting that I could just have applied to all of your posts Sophia....

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    ^ Не было бы счастья, да несчастье помогло.

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    Quote Originally Posted by Sophia_Starina View Post
    It was more like 600+ applicants.... I dunno how many finalists were vying for the same spot I wanted. But I still somehow thought that with my accolades, Summa Cum Laudes, Awards, B.A. degree, advanced certifications, and the like, I would have persevered.
    Sorry to hear this. Unfortunately it is so cutthroat now in this economy that people who are perfect for the job are losing out to people even more perfect. I've had two interviews with companies for jobs I have be doing the last 10 years. I had all the skills and certifications they wanted and more and still lost out to other. These aren't even entry level jobs either, but jobs requiring at least 5 years in specific industries and very specific skills (like someone who knows Flash, PhotoShop, Captivate, PowerPoint, website design, etc yet has accounts payable and marketing experience). Hopefully next time you will get it.

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    Default Re: URGENT: Cover Letter Tips!

    4 BP Oil and gas $386.460[5] December 31, 2011 $137,042 97,600 LSE: BP United Kingdom London, United Kingdom Robert Dudley

    Wow them by knowing the company itself.

    Know their product. Know their reported Quarterly performance. Know the Public Bios of the President and the V.P.s. Know the past and probable future markets for the company products.

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