I am currently going through resumes for an administrative position with our company, and I came across this cover letter. Top 10 things NOT to do when you want hired--this is #1:
To whom it may concern;
This isn't your normal cover letter, I just wanted to get in touch with you about what I liked about the job listed. And to tell you alittle about my self, first I do the one thing everyone tells you 'what not to do when appling for a job'. I'm going to tell you everything I'm not good at. I just like to get it out of the way and seems to save alot of time on both ends later on.
Typing, I'm not the best or the fastest, even though most of my jobs have been one form or another of Data entry, entering part numbers and codes quickly isn't the same as typing a letter.
Grammer/spelling skills I'm a math person, I've been told that I use too many commas, and I really do rely on spell check.
Smiling and giggling, you wouldn't think that this would be a bad thing but, when most people are nervious they would fidget or bite their nails, I tend to giggle. Then- people think I'm laughing at them when I'm not, 1/2 the time I don't know I'm doing it. Explaining myself, either I do it in excess or I don't get the right piont across, I'm a do-er, give me a list and I'll get everything done. If you'd want to know details I'd have to show you, or put together a spreadsheet. When I explain things I just confuse people.
Ok everything I like about the job listing, and why I think I'd be a good personal assistant.
I don't think I have what it takes to be the boss, but, I make a great office assistant type person. I'm organized, keep tracking expencess, maintaining files, answering phones, creating excel spreadsheets. The more I have to do the better I work. And as a bonus I get to get out and I'm not tied to a desk all day!
My job would be to make your jobs/life easier. I really think I could do that. This job is just like a little bit of every job I've had to date. Yes I went to school for CAD/Drafting but I've come to accept the fact that in Pittsburgh it's a flooded market, I'm currently a temp. and have been for over 2 years, they've recently changed hands again, and this time my department, except me is moving to Sharpsville. They have yet to decide where I might fit in.
I have held a very simillar job, when I worked at K.C. Equipment, I worked there for a short time to help my dad out, while I finished school. Other than the office type work listed on my resume, I also took care of all of his personal needs. It was only the 2 of us in the office, other than the book keeper who came in 2-3 times a month. Most of the time he was out of town at the job sites. I'd handle everything from dinner reservations for company, surprise quick weekend get-a-ways with his new wife, Doctor appointments, my younger sisters guidence counslor appointments, and reminders about his grandsons karate tournaments. Dropping off contracts, then stopping to pick up new bid information, stopping at the bank then finally getting to the office to check the phone messages, and calling his house to get the messages there, putting it all into an email, when he was out of town. I also took it upon myself to dust, vacume, windows, and keep a clean shirt always hanging in the closit, and a fully stocked brief case with various office supplies. As well as a few other little things he didn't notice that I just did. That my replacement wouldn't do.
I'd also like to point out that we don't have a typical father/daughter relationship. And I don't think I would check your messages at home or even look in your briefcase, unless I was asked to do so.
Ugh....this poor, poor girl... Oops, sorry, WOMAN. She's 29!
To whom it may concern;
This isn't your normal cover letter, I just wanted to get in touch with you about what I liked about the job listed. And to tell you alittle about my self, first I do the one thing everyone tells you 'what not to do when appling for a job'. I'm going to tell you everything I'm not good at. I just like to get it out of the way and seems to save alot of time on both ends later on.
Typing, I'm not the best or the fastest, even though most of my jobs have been one form or another of Data entry, entering part numbers and codes quickly isn't the same as typing a letter.
Grammer/spelling skills I'm a math person, I've been told that I use too many commas, and I really do rely on spell check.
Smiling and giggling, you wouldn't think that this would be a bad thing but, when most people are nervious they would fidget or bite their nails, I tend to giggle. Then- people think I'm laughing at them when I'm not, 1/2 the time I don't know I'm doing it. Explaining myself, either I do it in excess or I don't get the right piont across, I'm a do-er, give me a list and I'll get everything done. If you'd want to know details I'd have to show you, or put together a spreadsheet. When I explain things I just confuse people.
Ok everything I like about the job listing, and why I think I'd be a good personal assistant.
I don't think I have what it takes to be the boss, but, I make a great office assistant type person. I'm organized, keep tracking expencess, maintaining files, answering phones, creating excel spreadsheets. The more I have to do the better I work. And as a bonus I get to get out and I'm not tied to a desk all day!
My job would be to make your jobs/life easier. I really think I could do that. This job is just like a little bit of every job I've had to date. Yes I went to school for CAD/Drafting but I've come to accept the fact that in Pittsburgh it's a flooded market, I'm currently a temp. and have been for over 2 years, they've recently changed hands again, and this time my department, except me is moving to Sharpsville. They have yet to decide where I might fit in.
I have held a very simillar job, when I worked at K.C. Equipment, I worked there for a short time to help my dad out, while I finished school. Other than the office type work listed on my resume, I also took care of all of his personal needs. It was only the 2 of us in the office, other than the book keeper who came in 2-3 times a month. Most of the time he was out of town at the job sites. I'd handle everything from dinner reservations for company, surprise quick weekend get-a-ways with his new wife, Doctor appointments, my younger sisters guidence counslor appointments, and reminders about his grandsons karate tournaments. Dropping off contracts, then stopping to pick up new bid information, stopping at the bank then finally getting to the office to check the phone messages, and calling his house to get the messages there, putting it all into an email, when he was out of town. I also took it upon myself to dust, vacume, windows, and keep a clean shirt always hanging in the closit, and a fully stocked brief case with various office supplies. As well as a few other little things he didn't notice that I just did. That my replacement wouldn't do.
I'd also like to point out that we don't have a typical father/daughter relationship. And I don't think I would check your messages at home or even look in your briefcase, unless I was asked to do so.
Ugh....this poor, poor girl... Oops, sorry, WOMAN. She's 29!