Letter to Companies : Help Needed

kelly_owls · 26-07-2005, 13:47

Hiya, I am a school leaver currently seeking a job.
I figured out that my best bet to get a job is to write of to several companies that interest me, so this is what I intend to do.
Along with sending a CV and my reference, I understand I will need to compose a letter saying that I am interested in a job at the company.
But what do I write in this letter as I do not know!!!
Thanks a lot!!

Strix · 26-07-2005, 13:52

HAve a look at their website - most companies have an 'about us' section - and see how well you match their philosophy.

Tell them what attracts you to their company and how you will fit in well.

kelly_owls · 26-07-2005, 14:32

Ok thanks a lot for the help.

d1zzyw1zzy · 26-07-2005, 16:24

Write off to some companies who are offering vacancies similar to those that you're going for and have a look at the job descriptions they send out. You'll probably find that they have similar lists of attributes that they are looking for in an employee (things like good communication skills, good teamworking skills, ability to use IT, ability to cope under pressure) etc.
When you come to write your letters, try to think how you could use your own experience in and out of school to prove that you have these skills. For example, if you play a team sport seriously, that might be excellent evidence that you can work well with other people. Whatever you do, DON'T just write "I have excellent communication skills" and leave it as that - my boyfriend deals with hiring people, and he reckons this is the #1 mistake people make. Provide some evidence - it'll make you stand out from the crowd.

HotPhil · 26-07-2005, 17:55

Here's some tips I found useful:
If you're writing to companies you're interested in, show it to them by finding out the name of the HR manager and addressing the letter to them by name. A quick phone call will get you the info.
Tailor the covering letter to each employer you send it to - don't just change the address on one letter and send it to ten companies.
Keep the letter succinct and certainly no more than one page and your CV should fit on one piece of double-sided paper - remember these people wade through hundreds of letters/cv's they don't want to read through lots of waffle. Plus if you put everything in the CV, what are you going to say in an interview? Use your opening contact with them to make them want to get you interviewed and expand on what they can see about you.
Get at least two other people to proof-read/spell-check before you send it off. I was always amazed at how many typo's I made that I just can't spot until someone else pointed them out.

Most important - keep your hopes up! One piece of advice I was given was that you should expect to get 1 interview for every 15 CV's you send off. Everyone takes rejection hard, but don't feel defeated if your first few applications produce disappointing results.

kelly_owls · 27-07-2005, 19:20

OK thanks a lot people. I have written off to 3 places this evening and have included an SAE to encourage them to reply.
Am going to write to another 10 or so tomorrow. Thanks a lot!!!

owdlad · 28-07-2005, 08:40

Good luck Kelly, you are showing the initiative that will make you attractive to a prospective employer, and don't be put off if you don't get answers from some companies, just keep at it.

mattgreen · 28-07-2005, 13:33

Hello,

I definitely recommend you have a read of this book:-

"Don't send a CV" by Jeffrey J Fox

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/...631571-0470058

Although the title may seem a little off-putting it is excellent at helping you understand why companies hire people, what they're looking for and what they're not looking for.

I've read it and the advice is excellent, it's also very easy to read and quite cheap too...the best £7.99 you can spend.

Good luck and feel free to post your CV on here or email it if you want someone to proof read it.

Matt