Thursday, September 23, 2010

Trying not to get discouraged...

The great cover letter I wrote last week in application for a local job didn't get a call back. The deadline for applications was last Friday and I felt confident and hopeful. I thought I'd get a call early in the week to at least set up an interview and talk to me - I mean what could just talking to me hurt? But it seems once again I won't even get the call after really pouring myself into that letter.

I just don't get it. :(

4 comments:

Meghan said...

Hey Tricia, I know it's easy to say and harder to do but don't get discouraged. It's just a really tough job market out there right now. Your cover letter is great, but the second paragraph about the time you'll need off is risky. They may wrongfully assume it's worse than it is and you'll be constantly having to leave to go take care of him. Just like it being illegal for employers to ask you whether you have kids so they can't prejudge how much a given individual will be focused on their kids instead of the job, I wouldn't tell them about Pete until you have to (preferably after you already have the job). In this economy, I don't think it's unusual anymore for someone to be applying for something they are overqualified for, you are likely competing with several others who are overqualified also, so other than playing up the positives about how skilled and efficient you'll be at the job and/or perhaps highlighting past accomplishments that improved efficiency or ideas you have for their company, I probably wouldn't mention it if it were me. It seems like in this economy, getting a job is more a numbers game anyway (i.e., how many resumes you send out). In any case, I'm still rooting for you to start your own business! I think you'd make an awesome entrepreneur and of course it would give you the flexibility you need! Regardless, good luck! :-)

Tricia said...

Yeah I knew that part was risky but I was not just overqualified for this job I was ridiculously overqualified so I took a risk. I also know that this business owner is known to be super compassionate and easy to work for so I took the risk. In the end the job was an hourly job that would barely pay more than unemployment so it wasn't a great loss BUT I had hoped to at least get an interview out of it. :)

This week I sent in for a Director of Marketing position that I am infinitely qualified for but not ridiculously over qualified - I wrote a fairly standard cover letter - what I can bring to the company and no mention of what I want from them. I felt for this one my qualifications were a HUGE bonus and didn't need to explain why I would want such a lowly job. LOL

gpc said...

If they don't call you, they are crazy.

Tricia said...

So I have an interview for the job which is good except there is another job I want even more. :(