Help me write a cover letter??

[Jodie259]

As an employer myself (for the last 14 years) - I like as much information in the CV and covering letter as possible.

I am always wary of 'vague' CVs.... where there are no dates for jobs they have had - where there is no explanation for large spaces of unemployment.

I think a photograph of yourself (scanned) onto the corner of your CV really helps.
If you don't smoke - I would mention that in the CV as well. It is not legally required... but is a bonus.

Put yourself in the employoers shoes. Imagine you are looking for staff. What kind of person would you like to employ? Reliable, healthy, keen, experienced... These are all attributes that are desirable - and can be weaved into a covering letter or CV.

I worked in an employment agency (in London) and we would get hundreds of CV's... and you would be surprised how many were just thrown out because they were not presented well.

I always do my husbands CV's - and for his previous job he was travelling all over Melbourne when our child was only young. I wrote on a covering letter that he was looking for a job that was closer to home, as he had a newly born child. (the job was in the next suburb). He got the job and his boss told us that line was the cincher. They were 'family' people - and that meant a lot to them.

On a previous job application, my husband had only been in Australia 1 year, and was not a permanent resident at that time. But we had just purchased a house - and we mentioned that and said he was looking for a stable longterm position on the covering letter to show the people that he was going to stay in Australia.

express my interest in a part time position only. I'm coming out as over qualified, but I don't want to go back to what I was doing before...

Just mention these things as openly as possible.
Maybe not say "over qualified"... but rather - I have more experience/qualifications then may be required for this position - but I think this will be a benefit to your company.
and... after a break from the XXX industry, I am keen to enter a new area of employment and feel that my previous experience will be an asset to your company.

Good luck with the application.

Jodie
xx

[Lulu]

It's GOLD, GOLD, GOLD - girlies, thank you!!!

It's a position with the local council, I have this so far

"I am a long term resident of xxxx, seeking local, part time employment. I am particularly attracted to the position as I always have a positive, cheerful experience dealing with xxxxx council and staff. I would like to become past of the committed,enthusiastic culture of the council and feel I have a lot to offer in return."

No it's not great I know, and it probably comes across as really sucky, but it's true. Everytime I have been in there for whatever reason the staff are always happy, they can't help you enough and even the "higher ups" have seen me personally with enquiries when all I wanted was paperwork. It's a lovely environment.

I do have gaps in times (having babies etc) so I should probably mention that.
I have also put only relevant experience (but that covers the last 6 years straight), I don;t see the point of putting every darn job I had. I am 34, so there's lots that doesn;t count. Am I right?

I don't even know how to present the thing - stick a staple in the corner??? lol.

I know how many CV's get chucked out - I used to do it myself, but a very long time ago