Why generic CVs and cover letters end up in the bin! University of Manchester Careers Blog

Why generic CVs and cover letters end up in the bin! Youve just sent me a CV cover letter for a job.   You and possibly several hundred others so Im going to spend just a few seconds skimming over it to see which pile you fit in.   Yes, No or Maybe. I have a check-list of all the skills qualifications Im looking for and if you dont tick any boxes youll be going in the No pile. Why generic CVs fail. They often talk about duties you performed not the skills involved. The skills you are talking about may not be on my wishlist. Personal statements clearly not targeted at this job or sector. Why generic cover letters fail Bad cut and paste jobs even referring to the wrong company or wrong job. You clearly havent done the research into who we are or what we do, why should I consider you? I want to see that you want to work in my organisation not ANY organisation. Completely missing the point of the organisation or job role. Im not good at guessing! Im not going to just assume you have a skill or qualification either. Just because you say you have worked on a reception desk, Im not going to imagine what that might have involved or that you might have been good at it. SHOW ME  I want evidence that demonstrates your effectiveness. You dont necessarily have to have done the same job before, ill happily look at a skill gained in another context. If you have done similar tasks or roles in the past I want to see specific details now you have me really interested. If it sounds believable and consistent youll move up the pile. If you have more ticks on my wishlist than other people ill interview you to see if you live up to expectations. So go on make the effort, even a bar job deserves a CV tailored at typical bar work skills! Check out our CV cover letter guides   See also: How to do your research for CVs and cover letters   All Applications and interviews Undergraduate Undergraduate-highlighted applications Applications and interviews cover letters CV