Application Covering Letters

[kaiser78]

What do fellow contractors do wrt covering letters when applying for roles, for example on Jobserve where they provide a standard worded template or allow more personalised letter to be attached ?

I tend to go with the latter but wonder if agents bother to read these or go straight to the CVs.

[Antman]

Don't bother, I think that they are for permies.

[Old Greg]

Don't bother, I think that they are for permies.

Hmm, possibly.

But I see little downside in adapting a previous version, but there may be an upside.

[Antman]

OK, I might put something that screams out how good a fit I am, but it doesn't need more than one line or anywhere near the same amount of thought that goes into to the CV.

[vwdan]

I customise it, but only to that it boils down to

I'm writing to apply for the position of [xyz] at [abc] (Ref: 2982). As you can see from my attached CV I have 10 years experience in engineering widgets for enterprise clients around the country. I am a [qualifications] and would be available from the 23rd June.

Not that you should listen to me, because I didn't get a single job I applied to

[quackhandle]

More of a covering email nowadays, I like to get across who I've contracted for and how long I've been doing it for + a brief skillset list tailored for each role.

Whether the pimp bothers to read it is a tad hit and miss. "So what's your back ground?"
"It's on the initial email I sent..."
"Ah, yes I'd not noticed that."
<sigh>

qh