job application

[iLB]

I have filled out the form sent to me for a job at the new edinburgh cycles co-op in Sheffield, and in the advice section it mentions sending it with a cover letter- I have searched google about cover letters but I'm still not sure what I should be putting in it, any ideas? Also it doesn't mention anywhere about actually sending a CV, they say 'cover letter and any supporting information' would you assume it was necessary to send a CV even though it asks for qualifications, references and details of previous employment on the form?

cheers, Andy

 

[fossyant]

Cover letter is the bit where you say you are a keen cyclist etc..blah blah...would love this job...etc.... The CV is a bit more formal.

 

[snorri]

A cover letter just means a note that you enclose with brief details to confirm the enclosed cv is from Joe Bloggs of Acacia Ave Anytown in response to the application for a job at Anytown store as advertised in the Anytown Gazette on 12 th December , or something like that.




Edit Well Fossyant has a different definition. Perhaps it would be better to phone them, their instruction is not as clear as it might be.

 

[Telemark]

There was a thread a while ago that had lots of useful information ...

Good luck (and let us know if you get the job, so we can get a CC discount )

T

 

[HJ]

There is some good advice on writing a covering letter here and here. Basically the covering letter is your chance to layout the pitch as to why you want the job and why you are the best person for it.

 

[Crankarm]

A covering letter is all the above but mainly it is a chance for you to set a good initial impression by writing a short paragraph 1/4 to 1/3 of a page highlighting why you want the job and mentioning just a few, not regurgitating your CV as you refer to it, reasons why they should give you the job. Avoid cliches and down right lies, something to hit the right note to make them think "This person is serious and worth taking a longer look at. Yeah, I will spend a moment longer perusing his/her CV before....... I throw it in the bin". No only kidding. Get my drift.

Try to write something that will make you stand out from all the other applications, but not get you labelled as a Jim Carey freak .

Btw good luck.

 

[iLB]

thanks, so the consensus seems to be that even though it doesn't specfically say to send a CV i ought to quickly put one together?

 

[swee'pea99]

I'd endorse all the above,and there was definitely food for thought on those threads. It occurs to me the Ed CC is not 'your average employer'....quite possibly they actually*don't* want a formal cv. Might be worth giving them a ring and asking? Apart from anything else, it could be a way toactually just talk to someone there - make basic human contact....arguably the best way to begin the process of 'standing out'.

 

[Crankarm]

Yes, but take care preparing it as it is your sales brochure selling you. Tailor it to the job your are applying for at EBC. So if you have been an astronaut or lap club dancer best not mention this specifically. However there might be transferrable skills you can still mention such as team work and customer service - sales - very important in a lap dancing club .

You should print it on a reasonable grade of paper as well, not parchment, but something more substantial than normal photocopy paper, unless of course you can apply by email then problem solved.

There are a number of CV templates on the internet if you are not sure of a format to use. I wouldn't make it too flash as although I am sure EBC are discerning about who they employ, you are after all applying to work in a bike shop. Make your application professional and to the point I would say.

 

[Brains]

Standing out from the crowd is important.

I used to regularly get in 100-200+ CV's for a single job.
I used to sort the CV's into 3 piles, the YES, the NO and the MAYBE, with the biggest pile always being the NO's.

You get to a point when you have a couple of hundred to read to speed reading them, maybe 20 seconds each. That is all the time you have to stand out from the crowd.
Keep it simple.
Max 3 pages
Put in your interests, it makes you human
Print on high quality paper and spend time on layout to look pretty.
If you can put a photo on the CV, do it.

Personally I never bothered about qualifications as having a doctorate in some subject from the University of some place is unlikely to be relevant to the job. but maybe I was an exception on this score

 

[bauldbairn]

[quote name='swee'pea99']I'd endorse all the above,and there was definitely food for thought on those threads. It occurs to me the Ed CC is not 'your average employer'....quite possibly they actually*don't* want a formal cv. Might be worth giving them a ring and asking? Apart from anything else, it could be a way toactually just talk to someone there - make basic human contact....arguably the best way to begin the process of 'standing out'.[/QUOTE]

I agree with this as I'm in the Edinburgh shop quite frequently.

I think they like very "bikey" people to work in their shops - as they're offered a chance to own a small part of the company after a trial period. Hence the Co-operative part of their name.

Give Lorna MacDonald a phone at their Dalmeny HQ, I'm sure she'll put you right on what they require; 0131 319 2400 (ext 129)

Good luck, by the way iLb.

 

[Crankarm]

Standing out from the crowd is important.

I used to regularly get in 100-200+ CV's for a single job.
I used to sort the CV's into 3 piles, the YES, the NO and the MAYBE, with the biggest pile always being the NO's.

You get to a point when you have a couple of hundred to read to speed reading them, maybe 20 seconds each. That is all the time you have to stand out from the crowd.
Keep it simple.
Max 3 pages
Put in your interests, it makes you human
Print on high quality paper and spend time on layout to look pretty.
If you can put a photo on the CV, do it.

Personally I never bothered about qualifications as having a doctorate in some subject from the University of some place is unlikely to be relevant to the job. but maybe I was an exception on this score

Now what could those be?

Cycling, cycling and errr .......... cycling .

+1 the rest though.

 

[ttcycle]

Hi ILB

Good luck - the covering letter is usually a one page affair - selling yourself, how you meet the skills required for the job (person spec) and how you are an avid cyclist and why you want to work for them (worth looking online for some specific information and dropping it in there as well)

Be grateful it's not one of those god awful application forms that take hours to fill in!

Worth getting a CV together imho.

 

[Aperitif]

Good luck Andy. Nothing much to add except it is important to convey your nature, enthusiasm and give the idea that you are able to 'speak to the people', particularly if your work will be 'out front', encouraging customers.
Sell yourself in the most natural way.
All the formal, competence stuff will be on a short CV
(Don't mention the Mouseketeers )

 

[Wigsie]

Good luck Andy. Nothing much to add except it is important to convey your nature, enthusiasm and give the idea that you are able to 'speak to the people', particularly if your work will be 'out front', encouraging customers.
Sell yourself in the most natural way.
All the formal, competence stuff will be on a short CV
(Don't mention the Mouseketeers )

What teef said, although its nice to include an "Achievements" section in somewhere and include a brief summary of the gibralter attempt etc, shows your 'serious' and not just an about town pootler.

Good Luck Andy!