Applying for jobs, need help

[Swoop]

I'm applying for jobs and I need to write a cover letter. I'm applying for chemistry based jobs in London and it is very competitive at the moment so I want everything to be perfect. I've done my CV but I haven't done a cover letter in ages and can't remember what information to include.

P.S. I mentioned I do MA in my CV but I've heard that can work against you. Do you think I should leave it in?

[Wearing Grey]

Leave out MA on the resume/CV but you can feel free to put down you are diciplined and can follow directions well. And if they ask for an example, then mention MA.

In your CL, include:

(From top to bottom)

Your Address

Date

Their Address

Greeting

Opening paragraph (tell them where you found out about this job in this paragraph, your kind of degree, then end this paragraph with, "Please consider me for placement in your _____ department)

Second paragraph (List some key skills with bullets, like
* Formal schooling for Linux Administration
* Self-starter
* Dynamic and adaps well to many different environments

Thrid paragraph (Tell them your contact information *phone number only* Tell them, thank you for considering my applications, i look forward to meeting you (or some rubbish like that) Also, tell them you have enclosed your resume in this paragraph.

Closing,

Your name

And lastly, put - Attachment

---------------------------------------------

This should be of some help. If you need any more info on stuff like this let me know.

Sean

[Sonshu]

I am a Recruitment Manager and my training is mentioned on the CV I have.

Keep it as long as its mentioned in the right context about it promotes determination, fitness and disclipline also a will to sucseed etc!

I would keep it and should you get to interview then talk enthuasitically about it but dont over do it etc.

Any advise mate please message me - glad to help!:D

[Wearing Grey]

Well, there are tons of ways to write resumes and cover letters. There is no wrong way to actually format it (if you do it an accepted way). But there are tons of ways to mess it up.

I would leave out the MA arts part, for 1 because the resume should ideally one be on page long. Thats it, one page. More stuff you put in there the longer it is going to be and no one is going to read it.

Two, (my opinion only) to mention something like that in the resume may come off as the person is agressive. You want to be assertive, (unless your situation/job is a good thing to be agressive) I would leave off the MA's part, then if you get an interview, i would talk about it when they wanted examples of why you think you are disiplined and can follow directions well. Then they can see for themselves you are not agressive and very assertive (since your going to be presenting a good demeaner and professional attitude, right?)

These are just opinions, not facts. Sonshu may be right in including it. I may be wrong, But that is all going to depend on the person who is giving the interview or looking over the resumes. That person may find it fitting, someone else may say it just does not belong. That is completely up to you.

WG

[Sonshu]

Are you mad mate????????

Martial Arts is good and all of us have jobs? It is not bad to put it and a CV should not be one page long - not in the UK though unless you are 16.

If you are 27 like me and have a one page CV people will thing - hey what have you been doing. In the UK the norm is 2-3 pages depending on age but dont really go over this if you can avoid it. One is too short though unless you have had one job or are very young.

Hey Swoop - I do this for a living mate - martial arts is fine!!!!! - shows you have a hobby rather than sit on your butt. When you see reading and socialising and going to the gym - there are people who have these hobbies but that is the standard answer for someone who does not have a hobby. Elaborate on it a bit as it adds credability but mention the character building stuff!

[WhiteWizard]

Right people chill out the US and UK work differently when it comes to job applications according to the uni carrers service anyway a resume and a CV are completely different animals when it comes to the job hunting process.

I would put MA in our CV it implies you have good concentration and are disciplined which many employers like.


Hope this helps

[Sonshu]

How are a resume and CV different?

I would like to know this as to me they are the same thing just the US and UK names for it?

[WhiteWizard]

They do have a similar purpose however a resume is really a brief summary of what you have done before. Whereas a CV is used to give a more detailed account of what you have done what you would like to do your interests etc they are similar just CV's go into more depth.

plus i think resume's are suppose to be 1 page max.

[Sonshu]

Is not really much use in the UK. I have been in recruitment for 7 years and am not really much of a fan for a 1 page CV if someone has been working and I know clients would want more info.

It just means I need to get in touch with the person to ask for more info on what they have done.

Not really a UK thing :D

[craigwarren]

I mentioned i do Tae Kwon Do in a recent job application and in my CV where i list it as a hobby, plus one of my personal goals to achieve black belt.

Also one of my personal refrences is my instructor.

I havent had a reply yet, but its only been a few days.

I say martial arts are a good thing for your CV after all your CV should reflect yourself and for most people your martial arts is a large part of yourself.

Also as for the length of a CV im only 18 and mines is 3 pages long. I get 1 page CV's from school kids wanting a job in game. They dont have a chance.

[WhiteWizard]

i was just pointing out there is a difference in the way people work across countries personally i wouldn't fancy i one page CV myself i don't think resume's would give you much chance to explain about yourself

[Sonshu]

Martial arts is on my CV and in an interview I always get asked about it so its somthing to talk about at least (at the right time of course).

As Swoop is in the UK go with the stuff on the CV buddy!

[WhiteWizard]

i completely agree :D

[Tosh]

The problem with a 2-3 page CV is 90% of the time people put in irrelevant garbage!

If you've had a long relevent carrer then it makes sense to provide facts, however most CV's that over run contain meaningless information like full employment history's (down to shelf-stacking level if applying for office work)

A good 1 page CV contains all the relevent details that an employer would want o know. E.g I've got 12 Different sports coaching modules but I aint going to list them if I'm applying for a computing job!

[Sonshu]

Tosh - I do this for a living and know a one page CV is not much cop unless you are very young.

Somepeople have not done too much in there careers but my CV is 2 pages and I have not had many jobs but it is all 100% relevant.

As it is laid out correctly and does not waffle on - its factual and covers info on the company I work for and what I have done there, promotions etc

2 pages is prefered but it depends on what you do as many people could do 3 easily if you are a contractor by trade. Remember anything you dont put on the CV could be what does not get you that interview. Just stick to relevant achievements and your job description and so long as the presentation is right then your CV will be good.

1 page is too short unless you are young or have only had say 2 jobs. Or very dull!

[SteveJKDUK]

I've put on my CV that I do martial arts under a section, "Hobbies and Achievements." I didn't go into too much detail but from past experience of interviews, recruiters do ask you about it. Keeping things vague gives you an opportunity to talk about something you like.

I haven't had any negative remarks from putting my martial arts on my CV. I think the thing to remember is that if you are asked, don't go off on a tangent and talk about it for half an hour. I can talk about martial arts to someone all day, but the interviewer may thing you're a nutcase if you do!

[Sonshu]

Just gives you a mutual point of conversation where you can lead the interview rather than being fired quick questions if it is a tough interview it gives you a chance to compose yourself on subjects that are close to you.

[stump]

Putting MA down on your CV can give the wrong impression to a minority of people.

But that's pretty much the same with anything you put down on a CV, keep it clear and most importantly emphasise the positive qualities it promotes.....goal setting, dedication, control. If you've placed in any competitions put those down...only the most recent one or two.

If you do something like MMA or FMA be wary of giving too much info. Let them think it's a basic Traditional MA with white suits and honour and discipline. Don't tell them you sit on peoples chests and punch them in the face until they give up or we fight full contact with sticks....... :)

Lots of people have some experience of MA at some stage. If your interviewer has this it can help establish a good rapore and put you in an extra positive light....if not it shows you as a determined, goal setting person. you win either way.

This is purely for the UK though, I know nothing about the situation in the US

[Sonshu]

I see it on CV's all the time and its on mine. It works for me and as I have a bit of elaboration on my hobbies I get asked on them.

[Knight_Errant]

Just don't put down something like this on your CV:

Interests
Unarmed combat
Firearms
Explosives
Military tactics
Armoured vehicle maintenance
Crochet

[Sonshu]

Thats why I never got that job with BAA?

[booksie_girl]

KE, just because you're, well, errant, doesn't mean everyone else is. Do we look stupid enough to put down such interests?

*Hurridly opens CV.doc and edits hobbies*

By the way, crochet?

[WhiteWizard]

yeah crochet is a killer :D

[booksie_girl]

My instructor told me right when I started that saying you have, for example, achived a black belt in TKD, shows that you have dedication and persistance which will impress a prospective employer. The time taken to achieve a black belt is longer than most uni courses. Of course, there are some people who will be frightened off by this violent fighter, but others will be impressed. You win some, you loose some. Personally, I would put MA down.

[booksie_girl]

Originally posted by White Wizard
yeah crochet is a killer :D

You will all cower before me like the hedgehogs in Alice in Wonderland. Mwahahahaha:D