Cover Letters: do hiring managers actually read them?

[PJ]

In Engineering/IT, typically, I see cover letters at several paragraphs long. Should it be that long? Do hiring managers really have time to read it, or they just scan it for 10 seconds?

[wkeej]

Cover letter tends not to be more than 2 pages. In my previous job, while I am no hiring manager, my boss often ask me to help her scan the cover letter for job candidates. It is a useful and important document. e.g. if you want someone of more than 5 years' experience, a fresh graduate which can be deduced/obtained from the cover letter will not qualify.

[xJadedx]

Cover letters shouldn't be more than one page. If it goes over that, it better be really good.

[PJ]

e.g. if you want someone of more than 5 years' experience, a fresh graduate which can be deduced/obtained from the cover letter will not qualify.

Just wondering, can't one easily deduce the same info from the resume?

Cover letter just seems like an extra document to read.

[wkeej]

Just wondering, can't one easily deduce the same info from the resume?

Cover letter just seems like an extra document to read.

To me, cover letter provides a first-cut. With your signature on it, it also serves as authenication.

[Guo Xiang]

Yep. The cover letter shouldn't be more than a page. You just need to give a brief introduction about yourself, your purpose in writing, experiences and skill set, and your interest in the job/company.

Just wondering, can't one easily deduce the same info from the resume?

Cover letter just seems like an extra document to read.

Aside from the first-cut as wkeej says, it also states your purpose in sending in the application. It's a formalised standard that most proper organisations will adhere to.

[ByTmE]

One page? I don't think the relevant information itself without appropriate dating, heading, and ending margins is even 3/4 of a page! That's a long cover letter if the actual paragraphs filled up an entire page. I've helped in hiring for English teachers and Education Coordinators. Basically, people who would be expected to know how to write. I'd have been horrified if their cover letters were longer than 4 short paragraphs. Especially with the amounts of applicants. It's best to be concise as far as cover letters are concerned.

[remember_Cedric]

One of my colleagues from the HR suggests that a good cover letter should ideally be kept at 3 paragraphs, with each para not more than 5 lines. Longstory is unnecessary.

[kay &!*]

HELP!!
okay, so i just applied to an internship last week. in the cover letter, i mentioned that i look forward to an interview and i will call them next wk (this wk) to follow up on my application.

i received a letter today, saying 'thanks for applying blah blah, if u are selected u will be contacted for an interview'.
should i still call them like i said i would or wait it out and see if they'll call me as stated in the letter? i don't want to seem pushy but then again i don't want to go back on my words?

[PJ]

HELP!!
okay, so i just applied to an internship last week. in the cover letter, i mentioned that i look forward to an interview and i will call them next wk (this wk) to follow up on my application.

i received a letter today, saying 'thanks for applying blah blah, if u are selected u will be contacted for an interview'.
should i still call them like i said i would or wait it out and see if they'll call me as stated in the letter? i don't want to seem pushy but then again i don't want to go back on my words?

Would you be calling HR or the hiring manager? I think it would be more effective to talk to the hiring manager.

[bellamia]

HELP!!
okay, so i just applied to an internship last week. in the cover letter, i mentioned that i look forward to an interview and i will call them next wk (this wk) to follow up on my application.

i received a letter today, saying 'thanks for applying blah blah, if u are selected u will be contacted for an interview'.
should i still call them like i said i would or wait it out and see if they'll call me as stated in the letter? i don't want to seem pushy but then again i don't want to go back on my words?

I'd wait until they contact you, Kay, as indicated in their letter. In this case, you would not be going back on your words but simply respecting their process. Good luck sweetie!

As for the topic's question: I normally only skim through the cover letter; it’s the resume that I review thoroughly. Keep the cover letter short and straight-to-the-point. It's simple to tell when something is copied from a professional source.

[pemberly]

it sounds like they're rejecting you.

[kay &!*]

it sounds like they're rejecting you.

i think so too, i applied on the last day of deadline, after hours. they requested hard copy, i sent e-copy LOL. i'm sad.

[pemberly]

if they wanted you, they would have called you right away for an interview. the fact that you got that letter is just to say, see? we gave you a chance. we don't discriminate.

[ByTmE]

if they wanted you, they would have called you right away for an interview. the fact that you got that letter is just to say, see? we gave you a chance. we don't discriminate.

Dang girl. Maybe they just picked up her application and decided to send her a courtesy note hahaha. The reviewing process may take place thereafter.

[kay &!*]

ouch. getting rejected by this hurts more than getting rejected by the person i like lol

haha, it's okay. their loss!

[Ian Liew]

When my company shortlists candidates for interviews, we do read coverletters. This is mainly to see what the English proficiency is like. In Malaysia the standard of English is so poor that anyone who can write well is pretty much worth a look.

We read the coverletters, see which ones are articulate, then type in a phrase through google to check for copy/paste from online resources. A person with a less impressive CV might get an interview through a good coverletter, especially when we're looking for inexperienced and junior staff.

[darkcser]

I find cover letters useful if they cover the following:

1. What position you're interviewing for.

2. You understand what the position entails.

3. Why you are a good fit for the position.

Having said that the place where I work doesn't require cover letters or at least I never see them when I receive the resumes. We do have this standardized form everyone fills out with questions on number of years of experience you have in X skill.

Btw: Anyone interested in a research developer position in the financial sector in Boston? 3+ years of application development experience, C#/t-SQL, large databases (1TB+). It's a pretty interesting group where they create models for stock forecasts. The company has been very stable in the last couple of years. Head count has been steadily growing. Currently it's up to 100 total. PM me if interested.