Job Seeking Advice

[pasty]

Good folk of NSC, I'm a bit stuck....

I work in the print industry as a techy/programmer, and such job opportunities are few and far between. I have now found a company whose software package I happen to know matches my cv pretty much 100% and I am desperate to move jobs.

However, I have no idea if they are recruiting, but think I should probably send them my cv in anyway.

My question to the all knowing sages of NSC, is what sort of things should I be saying in my cover letter? It's easy enough if applying for a specific role, but I've never sent a cv to anyone "cold" as such...

 

[Beach Hut]

Presumably moving to this other company has some advantages - location and less commute ?

Or are you chasing more salary ?

 

[pasty]

Presumably moving to this other company has some advantages - location and less commute ?

Or are you chasing more salary ?

Much shorter and easier commute. And the way my company pay, a salary increase would be almost certain!

 

[Beach Hut]

OK then just beef up the letter with details about wanting to move jobs, like the look of the company, live locally etc.

You may not get lucky first time but when a job comes along that matches your CV hopefully you will be the first to be interviewed.

I suspect they receive many CVs given the current job climate.

 

[BensGrandad]

While people are giving job advice perhaps somebody could give advice to my sons step son as I am sure there must be many in the same boat as him.

He is 17 and cannot find a job as everyone that he gets an interview for invariable start by asking his experience. Having not worked since leaving school that is the end of the interview but how does he get the experience if nobody will give him his first job.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

While people are giving job advice perhaps somebody could give advice to my sons step son as I am sure there must be many in the same boat as him.

He is 17 and cannot find a job as everyone that he gets an interview for invariable start by asking his experience. Having not worked since leaving school that is the end of the interview but how does he get the experience if nobody will give him his first job.

Voluntary work often goes down well with employers.

 

[Beach Hut]

While people are giving job advice perhaps somebody could give advice to my sons step son as I am sure there must be many in the same boat as him.

He is 17 and cannot find a job as everyone that he gets an interview for invariable start by asking his experience. Having not worked since leaving school that is the end of the interview but how does he get the experience if nobody will give him his first job.

It is very tricky, my eldest son had a part-time job at 17 with Tescos as at college and they were allowed the 13 weeks then all let go due to the recession.

However he has just got a job part-time at the coop I would really suggest he just keeps trying as something will crop up.

I would suggest initially he tries a large chain as they invariably take on all comers and then after a while he can then find what he really wants to do.

 

[e77]

While people are giving job advice perhaps somebody could give advice to my sons step son as I am sure there must be many in the same boat as him.

He is 17 and cannot find a job as everyone that he gets an interview for invariable start by asking his experience. Having not worked since leaving school that is the end of the interview but how does he get the experience if nobody will give him his first job.

Try and find evidence of required skills and competencies in any hobbies he might have.

 

[Lush]

Pasty - I disagree with most of the above. Don't talk about yourself and what you want/need. Talk about them, their position/ambition etc and how you can help.

 

[Commander]

Pasty - I disagree with most of the above. Don't talk about yourself and what you want/need. Talk about them, their position/ambition etc and how you can help.

Exactly right. From a Recruitment Consultant.

 

[PHCgull]

http://www.businessballs.com

has many templated letters which are extremely useful, you could adapt one of them to include the feedback youve recived here

 

[Tricky Dicky]

While people are giving job advice perhaps somebody could give advice to my sons step son as I am sure there must be many in the same boat as him.

He is 17 and cannot find a job as everyone that he gets an interview for invariable start by asking his experience. Having not worked since leaving school that is the end of the interview but how does he get the experience if nobody will give him his first job.

M&S might be a good place to start, my 17 y/o niece has recently started at Holmbush with no experience, and her brother a couple of years older has just started in Horsham.

 

[Steve Foster]

From an employers view, I would say go the extra mile.

We have just advertised for a position at our Office & have been inundated with cv's & covering letters. It is very difficult to eake out those who we want to interview & for those thank-you but no thank-you. Whilst on paper many of the applicants are suitable, those that we have brought in to interview are the candidates that have gone the extra mile i.e. not just sending a cv & covering letter, but have checked out our company, done some research on us, where they have expressed that in their letter.

So my advice for what it is worth. Stand out from the crowd, if you can.

 

[pasty]

Thanks all

 

[manilaseagull]

From an employers view, I would say go the extra mile.

We have just advertised for a position at our Office & have been inundated with cv's & covering letters. It is very difficult to eake out those who we want to interview & for those thank-you but no thank-you. Whilst on paper many of the applicants are suitable, those that we have brought in to interview are the candidates that have gone the extra mile i.e. not just sending a cv & covering letter, but have checked out our company, done some research on us, where they have expressed that in their letter.

So my advice for what it is worth. Stand out from the crowd, if you can.

Following on from that I would ( and have done) turn up on the doorstep and ask to hand in a CV ( not to HR ) but to someone with a bit more authority, this will show interest or call them. tell alie if needs be and say you have been told of an advertised job and you wanted to know more... show them you are interested with the pesonal touch.

If you send in a CV chances are it will get filed or binned, you will not even get a response,

I have just gone through the job hunting and got an interview( and Job) by phoning for vacancies.

 

[Digweeds Trousers]

May I suggest, especially given the current climate, you do something to stand out from the crowd.

Find out who the CEO is and call him. Tell him how you have been following their company for a whiole and why you think you will bring value to what they are aiming to achieve as a business.

Anyone frankly can send in a CV and it doesnt show anyone that you are interested in them - it looks as if you are simply looking for another job and perhaps more money.

Show the company that you are interested in them, what they stand for and how they deliver their products or services to the market and why you think you could add value to that.

 

[Nathan]

I agree with Digweeds Trousers, give them a call rather than post a speculative CV. If they are a decent company how many cv's do you think they have received over the last 6/12 months? Give them a call, talk to them. Ask if you can pop in and have a chat. You will find it is easier and quicker to communicate in this way with them. Get chatting to the receptionist and try and find some inside info - who is best to speak to? When did they last recruit? etc.

 

[bhaexpress]

Much shorter and easier commute. And the way my company pay, a salary increase would be almost certain!

Send them your CV, you have nothing to lose, it' the price of a stamp !

 

[16bha]

Good folk of NSC, I'm a bit stuck....

I work in the print industry as a techy/programmer, and such job opportunities are few and far between. I have now found a company whose software package I happen to know matches my cv pretty much 100% and I am desperate to move jobs.

However, I have no idea if they are recruiting, but think I should probably send them my cv in anyway.

My question to the all knowing sages of NSC, is what sort of things should I be saying in my cover letter? It's easy enough if applying for a specific role, but I've never sent a cv to anyone "cold" as such...

As an HR Manager, the best advice I can give anyone sending a speculative cv and letter, is to find out the name of the owner/MD/CEO and personally address the letter to them. You can normally get this info from their website. Also show how you have researched them. The letter will then get more attention than the standard 'spec' letter. Good luck!!