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Cover letters and Me

bubblegumnexbubblegumnex Registered User regular
edited May 2008 in Help / Advice Forum
Hey guys, a job opening has come to my attention. Only real gripe that it requires a cover letter, somthing which I know next to nothing about. After some research, I have come up with this( address and such have been removed)
Dear Gord:

I am interested in one of the clerk positions that was posted on the main website.


As a fry cook for a year and a half, I have developed organization skills that have thing moving in intense situations. I have also developed customer service skills by taking peoples orders both over the phone and at the take-out window.



I would like to be part of this interesting venture as it continues to grow. You can contact me at my home phone ##### or leave a message on my cell phone #####.

sincerely,
bubblegumnex

The job is for a clerk position at a LAN center, with an emphasis on customer service and organization. Thoughts?

<@zerzhul&gt; bubblegumnex: you were so very fucked up
<@zerzhul&gt; you win at twdt
bubblegumnex on

Posts

  • TheungryTheungry Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    be more specific and offer more detail. What was at stake in your examples. What makes your customer service skills stand out. Have some panache. A cover letter is the one area in life, where bragging appropriate. Also, extend your experiences to how they would apply to the position you want.

    Edit – also, you should look at the job description and use as much of their terminology for the candidate desired as you can fit in your cover letter.

    Theungry on
    Unfortunately, western cultures frown upon arranged marriages, so the vast majority of people have to take risks in order to get into relationships.
  • DaenrisDaenris Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    It's a bit bare. Also I think you're missing the word kept
    skills that have kept things moving

    Are there any other requirements listed other than customer service and organization? Have you had any other jobs or school experience that you could use to fill in better? You probably want to be a bit more specific in terms of how/what organization and customer service skills you've developed. Right now this just reads as "I have good organization and customer service."

    Daenris on
  • ihmmyihmmy Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    you need about twice as much text

    first paragraph is to garner interest in yourself. Second is to showcase your talents. So let's pretend the second paragraph is something like "I have extensive customer service experience through previous jobs. I use computers at home and am comfortable using Microsoft products and learning about new programs and systems. I have a typing speed of approximately xxx (though may just pop that onto your resume under skills instead), and I am able to multi task effectively. I also rock at this that and the other thing"

    if you -really- want the job, say in your last paragraph taht you'll contact them at xx date to see how it's going (at least a week away, I'd say... a few days after they stop taking resumes probably) and ACTUALLY CALL THEM on that date. But taht's only if you're craving the job hardcore

    ihmmy on
  • bubblegumnexbubblegumnex Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Thanks guys. I'm gonna re-qrite it and post another version.

    bubblegumnex on
    <@zerzhul&gt; bubblegumnex: you were so very fucked up
    <@zerzhul&gt; you win at twdt
  • CooterTKECooterTKE Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    if i was at home i would copy my cover letter and post it as i think they are easy to write.

    CooterTKE on
  • bubblegumnexbubblegumnex Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    OKay guys, here's Cover Letter Mk.II
    Dear Gord:

    After working as a fry cook for a year and a half, I have developed organization skills and customer service skills in an often fast-paced environment and I am interested in one of the many clerk positions you have available after reading your post on the web site.


    Work in an intense cooking environment has taught me to be able to adapt to dynamic situations and being able to get orders out on time.. My interaction with customers and take their orders both over the phone and at the take-out window has given me excellent communication skills.


    I would like to be part of this interesting venture as it continues to grow. You can contact me at my home phone #####or leave a message on my cell phone #####.

    Sincerly,
    bubblegumnex

    bubblegumnex on
    <@zerzhul&gt; bubblegumnex: you were so very fucked up
    <@zerzhul&gt; you win at twdt
  • WifflebatWifflebat Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    Few things...

    - Cite specific examples of events where you excelled in the workplace. IE, a problem solved, a relevant task completed, a customer satisfied in a unique way(behind the Olive Garden maybe).

    - Come up with something specific that you can bring to the company. A unique perspective on service, advanced skills in telephone service, unique hobbies with a work related slant.

    - Fluff your ENTIRE letter. If I don't see a decent length on a cover letter, it throws off the lazy alarm. It's not enough to get you rejected off hand, but it certainly red flags you.

    Wifflebat on
  • ApexMirageApexMirage Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    After working as a fry cook for a year and a half at [name], I have developed organization skills and customer service skills in an often fast-paced environment and I am interested in one of the many clerk positions you have available after reading your post (is 'post' really professional? could you substitute 'ad'?) on the [name] web site.


    Work in an intense cooking environment has taught me to be able to adapt to dynamic situations and being to be able to get orders out on time.. My interaction with customers and takeing their orders both over the phone and at the take-out window has given me excellent communication skills.


    I would like to be part of this interesting venture as it continues to grow. You can contact me at my home phone at#####or leave a message on my cell phone at#####.

    Sincerly,
    bubblegumnex

    I personally would ditch the limed stuff and add the blue stuff. Red is notes.

    You've got double spaceing all over the place and a double period in the 2nd paragraph. You want to look as professional as possible in your presentation even if the job itself does not require it.

    ApexMirage on
    I'd love to be the one disappoint you when I don't fall down
  • ihmmyihmmy Registered User regular
    edited May 2008
    still way too short dude. Longer! Especially the middle paragraph, which is basically all about how freakin awesome you are and why they should hire you (it's like your interview before your interview)

    ihmmy on
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