University Graduates

is 380 words too much for a covering letter for a graduate position?

Public Comments

1. Yes. You do not want to bore them to death and they will have other applications to skim through. Scale it right down. Your curriculum vitae and cover letter together should get you that interview. Then you give the rest of the info - Dear Mr/Mrs..., Please find enclosed my CV in application for the post advertised in (insert publication/web address here) on (insert date) . The nature of my degree course has prepared me for this position. It involved a great deal of independent research, requiring initiative, self-motivation and a wide range of skills. For one course, [insert course], an understanding of the [insert sector] industry was essential. I found this subject very stimulating. I am a fast and accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail and I should be very grateful for the opportunity to progress to (insert position). I have not only the ability to take on the responsibility of this position immediately, but also the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success of it. Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Yours sincerely This is a rough example of what you could try and use just to give an idea. Hope this helps.
2. I generally don't write anything, I just seem to come across as condescending & obnoxious - & it's hard enough looking for a job without that. Time & again I've had everything arranged for the interview, I've washed my bits & got all my answers memorised, my funeral suit's on & I'm sat nervously waiting in my front room... & then the bastards don't even bother turning up. I cry, self harm a little bit & then lurch back into my daytime tv routine - swivelling around in my chair to watch Jeremy Kyle ranting at some poor mutant about putting something on the end of it. He's a penis obsessed dominatrix with a chip on his shoulder - & he's got a job. So, it can't be that hard eh? & if things get really tough for you, I just hope someone's cared enough to tell you about project payday, ''It completely changed my spam folder'' good luck mate.
3. LOL @ Monkfish. Aim for 3 - 4 short paragraphs, between 150-250 words. Sample cover letter... http://www.resumecoverletters.org/examples/engineer/engineer-cover-letter-5.asp http://www.jobbankusa.com/resumes/cover_letters_free_samples/examples_templates_formats/project_engineer.html