FabSwingers.com forum: CV advice please

By *aisy100 OP Woman
over a year ago

wakefield

I have seen a job that I want to apply for and they are asking for a CV and covering letter, I have no experience at this as every job I've applied for has been an application form. My son has sent me his but it looks too much information on it.

They are asking for CV and covering letter so if I put all my details on CV....what is a covering letter?

Anyone any experience of doing CV and covering letters?

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"I have seen a job that I want to apply for and they are asking for a CV and covering letter, I have no experience at this as every job I've applied for has been an application form. My son has sent me his but it looks too much information on it.

They are asking for CV and covering letter so if I put all my details on CV....what is a covering letter?

Anyone any experience of doing CV and covering letters?"

Just tell them your fab username I'm sure you will get the job

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By *ikeC81Man
over a year ago

harrow

CVs should be no more than 2 pages long. For each role put an item where you have done something for example

Mentored 2 people

Mentored 2 people so that they could cover team in my absence

Reduced costs

Reduced costs by 30% but increased capicity by 50%

Use STAR - situation task activity result

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Have a Google for some examples. My covering is about half a page quickly covering who I am, a brief description of my experience and why I'm applying for the job. Don't forget the employer gets hundreds of application so keep it short and sweet

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By *martymartyMan
over a year ago

notts

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/get-a-job

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Reed have a good example of a covering letter xhope it helps

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By *ikeC81Man
over a year ago

harrow

My Cv is currently one page in smallish font basically I was finding people weren't reading second page so took loads of words out and made it bullet points.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

lots of very good examples if you google..as mentioned above, some from job agencies,some from careers advice sites..

and if they ask for a hand written letter, they really do mean a hand written letter..

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Make it relevant for the position you're applying for. Focus on the job description and try to match what you've done with what they're looking for. Write it out, read it back and make sure there are no spelling errors.. Then edit it if you need to, don't rush it.

I've read hundreds and the ones that stand out are the ones that people have taken their time over

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A cover letter means you write a paragraph or so about why you want the job I think

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Also if you apply online make sure it's a PDF file not a word document

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

A covering letter explains in more detail than your CV why you are the perfect candidate for the job.

Basically just pick up on every requirement they ask for the job and explain why you are the perfect match.

Also explain why the jobs works for you, interests in the job/company, what you have to offer, etc.

The covering letter is where you can really sell yourself, your CV is mainly the outline.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"A covering letter explains in more detail than your CV why you are the perfect candidate for the job.

Basically just pick up on every requirement they ask for the job and explain why you are the perfect match.

Also explain why the jobs works for you, interests in the job/company, what you have to offer, etc.

The covering letter is where you can really sell yourself, your CV is mainly the outline."

Please do place an emphasise though on the requirements for the job and why there is no one better for it than you.

There is plenty of help on recruitment sites if you get writers block.

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By *edangel_2013Woman
over a year ago

southend

If the job you are looking for is different to what you are doing, then the covering letter explains how your current experience relates to the new job.

If they are similar, the covering letter is why you want to work for their company, what skill set you have and how that would be beneficial to them.

A C.V. should be no more than 2 pages, don't use Comic Sans, and don't put your age or marital status on it.

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By *aisy100 OP Woman
over a year ago

wakefield

Thank you all for your help!

I don't have any problems with application forms and contents not an issue.

It's the whole what goes on CV and what goes on covering letter that's confusing me. I will check out the links someone kindly posted.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

"Thank you all for your help!

I don't have any problems with application forms and contents not an issue.

It's the whole what goes on CV and what goes on covering letter that's confusing me. I will check out the links someone kindly posted."

CV essentially outlines your experiences, qualifications and skills (often written in the third person, mine is) your skills should be tailored to the job (transferable skills). Covering letter, simple, what job youre applying for and where you saw the advert. Why you, why them (the company) and concude. 3 or 4 short paragraphs, no more than 3/4 of a page.

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By *appytrailmanMan
over a year ago

Manchester

What I do is read the job spec and find the key areas for them, then write about your experiences to do with the key points in private and working life x

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

In my experience, a covering letter is a shortened version of the supporting information on on an application form. So this is an example of what I'd put -

Dear Sir/Madam,

I'm writing to apply for the role of receptionist. I feel that I am suited to this role because I have a Level 2 ECDL IT qualification and a proven ability of using various software packages in a working environment. I've also worked in the customer service industry for the past ten years and I also have a BTEC Level 2 Certificate in Customer Service. I believe that I am a friendly, cheerful and outgoing person who consistently strives to provide the best customer service possible, blah blah blah.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

And take the job spec apart, make notes of the knowledge, skills & attitude included in the spec and tie those into the covering letter.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

Yeah, there is something of an art to applying for jobs in this day and age.

Depending on the role, of course, employers often have dozens of applications to skim through. Both the CV and CL require nearly all the correct skills/buzzwords that they advertised for. Then it needs to be coherent and articulate enough.

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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago

monster.co.uk has CV and cover letter writing tips etc

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