resume's and cover letters agh!

[Tash]

i am applying for a job at the coolest shop in sydney, a cd store dedicated to classical music!! except i suck at writing cover letters, like i've looked at some examples except they're always about IT and other boring non-retail, non-musicish jobs which are of no use to me. does anyone have any hints how to make myself sound like the perfect person without sounding like a complete idiot?! thanks!!

[pianistimo]

i'm terrible at this sort of thing, too.  perhaps the ads at the bottom "your cover letter sucks" would be helpful.  seems that easy reading is nice. my husband has refined several of his resumes and they seem really streamlined.  dates at the left - what was done on the right from most recent to however long you go back.  don't  list too many things that aren't necessary for the job.  less info is better - looks cleaner.  they can always ask you for more.  get referral letters ahead of time from your last employer or send one - get them to sign - and just have it ready.  dress really nice.  that always does it.  sometimes that's your resume 

[Bob]

Write something.  Get some ideas down on paper.  Then go back and pull out the essential meaning.  Then rewrite.  That will cut out a lot of extra things and give you a short concise letter.

And of course, include that you love their store and have always shopped there.

[brewtality]

Kinda OT, but would you mind telling me the name (and location) of this shop? I went to Syd like 2 weeks ago and I trying to find such a store. In the end I walked up and down george st until I found a Virgin 'mega' store (it was tiny compared to Paris) and HMV, which was good but a specialist store sounds better.

[leahcim]

i am applying for a job at the coolest shop in sydney, a cd store dedicated to classical music!! except i suck at writing cover letters, like i've looked at some examples except they're always about IT and other boring non-retail, non-musicish jobs which are of no use to me.

What are they like in the shop? If you go in, are they all pretty knowledgeable about recordings and rep or are they just taking money and putting CDs in cases?

You're over-qualified if anything. If you don't get an interview that'll be why.

They might just pleasantly surprised they've got an application from someone who can write, regardless of what you put.

Just be matter-of-fact, don't write a novel. If it's obvious from your CV that you know lots of rep and who plays it then just say you've attached your CV and just make the cover letter say why you want to work in that shop and cover the other stuff they'll worry about [that you're honest, that you can talk to members of the public, you're presentable and numerate - that kind of stuff]

It might be obvious that you don't want the job forever if you are completely honest, it's up to you to decide whether they want someone forever and to tone down your knowledge or whether to be completely honest.

[Tash]

ok i've just gone and cut all the art crap out of my resume cos i somehow don't think they care about art prizes...randomly...how rude of them!! haha ok well i'll mention the shop, just provided those people out there if you plan on stalking me i'm really not into it...actually better yet brewtality i'll IM you.
but it's a really good shop i love it, like the staff are really good and if they don't have what you're looking for they'll get out their fat book of recordings and get it in for you in about 3 weeks (in fact i was running low on time once and they got my cd in a week)- really helpful!

cool. if i don't get an interview i'm gonna be so devestated- i have been jobless like all my life and this is the best thing ever- doesn't even require retail experience, only knowledge of classical music so i was like SWEET!! *fingers crossed!!*
haha your cover letter sucks that's hilarious i think i'm going to click it

[brewtality]

ok thanks tash, i will check it out next time i'm in syd.

[pianolearner]

i am applying for a job at the coolest shop in sydney, a cd store dedicated to classical music!! except i suck at writing cover letters, like i've looked at some examples except they're always about IT and other boring non-retail, non-musicish jobs which are of no use to me. does anyone have any hints how to make myself sound like the perfect person without sounding like a complete idiot?! thanks!!

Tash,

Cover letters should be short and simple, usually only 3 or 4 short paragraphs.

1) Should contain the job you are applying for.
2) Why you think you are suitable
3) A brief introduction to your resume.

Each paragraph should be no more than about 5 or 6 sentences.

https://www.fazed.com/careers/good_cover_letters.html

It's good that you removed the artistic stuff from your CV. I think they would be more interested in your experience in retailing.

https://www.fazed.com/careers/killer_cv.html

Good luck!

[Tash]

cool thanks all! you know i clicked that your cover letter sucks thing- as i assumed it would be it was like 500 pages of i have this special secret that will get you the job instantly blah so that was...interesting...

anyway, one question- is it unprofessional to mention my past two years of incomplete degree as part of my education or should i just ignore it?

also, colour- is classic black and white clean and simple no border just writing on plain white paper the way to go?

[Bob]

You can do more than one version.  You would have one type of cover letter for this type of job and a different one for an art job.

[pianolearner]

cool thanks all! you know i clicked that your cover letter sucks thing- as i assumed it would be it was like 500 pages of i have this special secret that will get you the job instantly blah so that was...interesting...

anyway, one question- is it unprofessional to mention my past two years of incomplete degree as part of my education or should i just ignore it?

also, colour- is classic black and white clean and simple no border just writing on plain white paper the way to go?

When you say "Incomplete" do you mean you haven't finished yet or you have dropped out? If it's the former then you should mention it. It's not unprofessional to say you are studying and partially through a degree. It looks good. I have read CV's and people mention EVERYTHING that is positive. Even assisting in the canteen at school!!!

The first page or two of your CV should usually contain "Vital Stats" age, education, work experience and attainment's. The next pages is where you should mention "Other interests/Activities". That could go on forever if you like.

>also, colour- is classic black and white clean and
>simple no border just writing on plain white paper the way to go?

ABSOLUTELY!!

Bold titles with easy to read descriptions in standard.

eg

 EDUCATION

1992-2004: Blah Blah High school. Higher school certificate
2004-2006: Blah Blah University: Studying Blah Blah Degree

[Bob]

Hmmm.... 12 years in high school.  Must have been rough.   And then whizzed through college. 

[pianolearner]

Hmmm.... 12 years in high school.  Must have been rough.   And then whizzed through college. 

I figured Tash may have been a slow learner but once she got going could whiz through anything....

It should have been 1996 - 2003, I don't know what I was thinking.

[Tash]

what no i started  high school in 1998!! only 6 years of it here! no i dropped out of my degree and transferred- i just don't know if it really counts as 'education' since i'm not getting the degree for it, but i thought it might just let them know i haven't been a bum for the past 2 years and was doing music in that....

ok i think i've got it all under control, i'll print it out today and see what it looks like. is it ok to fold it and put it in an littler envelope rather than big and flat? soz just all the questions- i really want to get this perfect, because i'm such a queen at sending my crazed resume and not getting responses i think i really need to work out what i'm doing!! thanks all for your help you are absolute champs!

[pianolearner]

what no i started  high school in 1998!! only 6 years of it here! no i dropped out of my degree and transferred- i just don't know if it really counts as 'education' since i'm not getting the degree for it, but i thought it might just let them know i haven't been a bum for the past 2 years and was doing music in that....

ok i think i've got it all under control, i'll print it out today and see what it looks like. is it ok to fold it and put it in an littler envelope rather than big and flat? soz just all the questions- i really want to get this perfect, because i'm such a queen at sending my crazed resume and not getting responses i think i really need to work out what i'm doing!! thanks all for your help you are absolute champs!

Funny you should ask this. When you suggested a way to to make your application stand out I was going to say that you should NOT fold it up and send it in a small envelope!!!

I have never failed to get an interview with my job applications. I recommend placing your documents inside a plastic presentation folder. The ones with clear plastic A4 sheets and a hard plastic cover. Photocopy all of your certificates/awards etc and place one copy per plastic sheet. I put them in reverse chronological order (Newer ones first). The cover letter is clipped to the outside of the plastic cover with a copy inside the first sheet in case they lose it. The next pages will be your CV then all the copies of your achievments to back it up. Send it in an A4 size envelope. THIS will make your application stand out.

[Tash]

are you serious?? isn't sending your stash of certifiates etc not the thing to do at this point cos they're not going to want to spend more than 20 seconds looking at your cv? i thought the point of a cv was to sum up all your blah so you didn't have to give 50 pages of certificates- this is just a retail job it's not like going into some giant company or something!

[Bob]

I would use a big envelope so you don't have to fold. 

If anything, consider it as practice for the "career" job you really want.

[pianolearner]

I would use a big envelope so you don't have to fold. 

If anything, consider it as practice for the "career" job you really want.

I am serious and I completely agree with Bob. Treat it like it's the career job you really want or don't bother applying because you won't get it.

[Tash]

yeah A4 envelope's ok, i was thinking of going with that anyway, but the whole folder thing i think is a waste of time, if you need to convince them that you're actually telling the truth about your achievements with actual certificates then what kind of a lack of trust do they have?

[leahcim]

yeah A4 envelope's ok, i was thinking of going with that anyway, but the whole folder thing i think is a waste of time, if you need to convince them that you're actually telling the truth about your achievements with actual certificates then what kind of a lack of trust do they have?

Yeah I wouldn't fuss that much about what envelope you use

My advice, see "big envelope" for what it is - the big red flashing light that says "I should start my own business" - flog a few CDs to get some money in the meantime by all means, but see the buffoonery that is a "career" for what it is, a big envelope and a plastic folder

Then, hire people who send their CV in a big envelope, just for a laugh.

You'll see some careers teacher saying "Today class we have an important guest, she runs her own company. Tash, I've just been telling them it's always a good idea to use a big envelope for your CV. Is that the case in your company?" Then you've got to keep a straight face and say "Yes, big envelopes are a vital ingredient in our human resource management, they are a primary indicator on our suitability vector for all incoming assets"

[abell88]

if you need to convince them that you're actually telling the truth about your achievements with actual certificates then what kind of a lack of trust do they have?

I don't think it's a trust thing at all; it's simply much more "tangible" (sorry, can't think of a better way to phrase that ) to have the certificates there than merely to be told about them. (That being said, I really have no advice as to whether it is appropriate to send them or not.)

[Bob]

Then, hire people who send their CV in a big envelope, just for a laugh.

Actually, I wouldn't be surprised.

They just need something to sort out the people.  Some reason to pick one over another. 

The rest you should just have on hand -- copies -- just in case they want to see them.  What's convenient for them can play a part too.

[pianolearner]

I don't think it's a trust thing at all; it's simply much more "tangible" (sorry, can't think of a better way to phrase that ) to have the certificates there than merely to be told about them. (That being said, I really have no advice as to whether it is appropriate to send them or not.)

I agree. It really is standard practice to send copies of the awards/certificates you mention in your CV--Honestly. As for the plastic folder, everyone I know who has done it has got the job they wanted. Read into that what you want.

I went through a pile of job applications that were on my boss’s desk and only one was in the type of folder I mention. He got the job. He was qualified for the job and was very good at it. He is very professional, meticulous and takes pride in his work. He is the sort of person that would make the extra effort to make his CV stand out….. by sending it in a folder with a copy of all of his certificates.

Anyway, you are right. It’s just a lowly retailing job in an insignificant music shop in an ordinary location. Don’t bother trying too hard. There will be applicants much more interested in the job than you are so it would be unfair to rob them of the opportunity.

[Tash]

i'm ignoring that last comment because you're twisting my thoughts around and i don't mean to sound lazy, more stubborn than anything and i'm generally just a moron. and all my certificates are basically either AMEB piano exam awards or academic excellence awards from school, oh and a lovely one saying i finished the HSC...and then we could go and add the art prizes in there too just for fun! no it was my plan to bring all that to the interview

anyway i've sent it off now in a nice white envelope so there's nothing i can do about it now

yes i think i shall start a trend with big envelopes. in fact, forget A4 size, i want A2- giant envelopes- now that's the way to stand out, the envelope will take up half their office, and they'll be continuously staring at it, its dominating presence will force them to give you the job. better yet, each evelope will have the motto written on it 'you rock my socks' just to make the employer feel happy hahaha

[Bob]

How about the biggest envelope with a huge poster of yourself?  One that just stares at them. 

The only thing you need the cover letter to do is get you the interview.  The interview is used to get the job.

You've got a music background and an art background.  What more could they want?

[leahcim]

How about the biggest envelope with a huge poster of yourself?  One that just stares at them. 

One of the papers today had  a bunch of the "top tips" from Viz. A parody on the tips in various magazine letter pages. This one seemed appropriate :-

Employers : Avoid hiring unlucky people by throwing half of the CVs you receive straight into the bin

[pianolearner]

anyway i've sent it off now in a nice white envelope so there's nothing i can do about it now

You didn't use white did you??? 

[pianolearner]

How about the biggest envelope with a huge poster of yourself?  One that just stares at them. 

The only thing you need the cover letter to do is get you the interview.  The interview is used to get the job.

You've got a music background and an art background.  What more could they want?

Bob,

It's an academic issue now. I was 18 when I got my first job. There were over 500 applicants and out of those only 8 were selected for an interview to fill 2 vacancies. I doubt they read every cover letter and CV when going through the filtering process. Just MHO.

[Tash]

You didn't use white did you???

you're right, i should've painted some brightly coloured abstract on it, just to really make it stand out, maybe add some hot naked pianist (the owners are female) on the opening bit, so you have to open the thing to see the full picture hahaha