When applying for jobs, how often do you submit a cover letter (aside from your resume)?

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RavVid · Accepted Answer

The cover letter gives you an opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the position and point out your appropriateness in a way you can't in a resume.

I'll make some other points that are true in Australia but maybe not in the US.

All the experienced recruiters have been got rid of because 18/19/20 yos are cheaper.

All they do is put the resumes and cover letters in a folder and in effect google them. There is specific software for this - let me call it woogle. What will pop up at the top is those that have the key words the recruiter has used. SO MAKE SURE THOSE KEY WORDS are in the resume.

As a specific example, my contract finished and I was having trouble getting a new one. A former boss wanted to hire me but he had to do go through recruitment agencies. So he asked for my resume and based the requirements entirely on that (it was an inside mate job).

I saw the advert and supplied my cv etc that the job spec was based on. No response at all.

It was re-advertised (my old boss was rejecting everybody else of course) and this time I edited the cv to have the upmarket words the 18/19/20 yo preferred to what my boss had used in the spec. I was busting for the toilet but did a double check read of the cv then clicked send.

I did get out of the chair but didn't get more than a couple of steps to the toilet before the recruiter called.

That's how important it is to have the key words the recruiter has used I think. Nobody will read 500 applications. They will only read what woogle puts on the first page.

Problem is woogle changes all the time so this keyword advice might be badly old school by now but it can't hurt. And this might not apply in the US.

Fortunately a kindly recruiter told me how things worked. If you know one quizz them as to how to get on the first page.

exitseven · Accepted Answer

I always included a cover letter. My daughter is a technical recruiter and she tells me that nobody looks at cover letters. I disagree. I had to hire a technician for my department. I looked at all the resumes and there was one where the person really did not have as good a skill set as some of the others. I read his cover letter and there was something in it that I really liked and I called him in for an interview anyway. This kid really did not have a great skill set but he seemed like he wanted to learn and would appreciate the opportunity. I ended up hiring him and I never regretted it.

WindAtMyBack · Answer

I always included a cover letter. It was almost always a generic cover because I rarely applied for specific jobs that were advertised. Applying for advertised jobs is one of the worst ways to job hunt. Those are the jobs everyone else is applying for.

I've heard it said that most job openings are not advertised, and I think that's true. It's also common for people to hire when they don't have an opening. If they get a resume they like they'll make room. So I sent very generic covers. You never know what might pop up. Probably at least half the resumes I sent were to companies that I had no idea what the company did.

Jaximus-Lion · Answer

In the Swedish system! It's a must to send both. My current job, the cover letter was more important than the resume plus i made a personal phone call to the recruiter's supervisor. I would recommend to send both.

How is going with the job hunt by the way?

matchrestore · Answer

I recently applied for a job at a school district that was a 100% online form to apply, with nowhere to upload a resume or cover letter. It was such an odd experience. But for every other job I've applied to since high school I submitted a cover letter.

Tyrael · Answer

I always submit a cover letter. I want them to know that I know what the job entails and why I'm the best person for it. A resume covers the basics and just shows you've got what other candidates will most likely have. The cover letter is where you big yourself up.

ChillaxingLove · Answer

If I’m personally giving my resume in their hand the. Yes. If I’m doing an online resume then definitely no, because a lot of stuff are automated to go through thousands of other resumes and it’s a computer searching for keywords. But even then it depends because sometimes they give you the option.

AviatorTom · Answer

A short cover letter should always be included. It introduces yourself to the company and indicates the job or jobs you're applying for. A cover letter is unique to each job application while the resume (CV) is the same for all.

I always included both.

Shark_61695 · Answer

Anything I'd put into a covering letter would be included in my CV. It hads a half page about me section.
If I do a covering letter, it is going to be a lot of work i get frustrated about and I don't want that hassle in my life. The best jobs I've had were almost accidental, requiring minimal effort on my part.

ShadezMcgee · Answer

Depends if it requires it. Usually only did cover letter for positions I sought that required expertise or prior experience to elaborate further on what I did and knew and what that job entailed.

The_Shadow_Dweller · Answer

Give a link redirecting to a sample cover letter in an update. I will be applying jobs in about 2 years from now. I need to be up with trend.

kellytheman · Answer

I been awhile since I fill out a resume and applied for a job since I been to my current job for 9 years but I did use a cover for certain jobs I probably wouldn't do it for a fast food company or a low paying job.

Little_Bumblebee · Answer

That's standard procedure in my country, which sucks honestly

Dargil · Answer

Almost every time. When you are targeting a job, you want the reader to know the specifics what you are offering him.

Sparkie460 · Answer

When I was job hunting I always sent cover letter and resume. A lot of companies asked for it. I sent it to all the companies I applied to.
When I was looking to hire an employee I requested a cover letter. Three quarters of the applicants didn't send one.

TrillXHippy · Answer

When I applied for a job a cover letter wasn’t really needed, I just had to submit my resume. I think one was needed for the job I have now but I don’t remember

DavidRaul · Answer

I mean its pretty important to attach a cover letter with a resume. It adds value.

Wish4UrB00ty · Answer

I’m I hate doing cover letters but if they require it then I will add a cover letter. Most of the time my resume has just been an addition to my applications though and not actually needed.

MysticDevice · Answer

I've never done a cover letter. I'm not sure I even know what that is lol

Kyyroz · Answer

I do it anyway. Going the extra mile shows enthusiasm.

Twalli · Answer

I apply online, so I don't have a cover letter as part of my resume. If I did it in person, I'd probably have a cover letter

Loveisgirthy · Answer

I just asked and he was like "come on in tomorrow, we'll discuss pay later"

Hardworkingguy · Answer

So far I've never been asked for a cover letter. Just the resume

Anpu23 · Answer

If I am applying to a position I always include a cover letter. But then again I am competing for higher end jobs.

BCRanger10 · Answer

I will if it's required. Other than that, not usually.

Justneedtokno · Answer

I only give them what they ask for and I try to make sure that I’m personable in front of them

TacosRAwesome · Answer

If an email saying hi I'm interested in this job counts yes, otherwise no.

Jerre · Answer

I don’t need a job so no applications from me. I chose A because if I was, I would submit both the Resume and Cover Letter.

Snedger____ · Answer

I submit only if they mention cover letter is required

Rudon00 · Answer

Its very important that in every job you apply for you submit a cover letter summarizing your skills and talents in how they make you qualify and best suited for the Job at hand along with your Resume.

Bethany22 · Answer

A-I'm selective with what I apply to, and really try hard at the ones I do apply to.

msc545 · Answer

I submit the cover letter with the application, thanking them for considering my application

Guardian45 · Answer

Resumes should ALWAYS be accompanied by a cover letter!

SnowedIn · Answer

I won't apply.

Msputiton · Answer

I never do a cover letter

AimeeKyle · Answer

It’s not always needed now days. It depends if you are going through a headhunter or website or sending direct to a specific individual.

DrillBeats · Answer

Fuck a cover letter

melanieeeB · Answer

It's always Coverletter, resume, certificates

Ms_Facesitter · Answer

Both. I was hired because they read both.

DJB72 · Answer

Both recently but it's been a few years now

Pink2000 · Answer

Never.

alcorriher · Answer

with my job, i was just interviewed

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