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You are quite literally the only hiring manager I've ever heard of in tech who says they're swayed by the cover letter or really even reads the cover letter. I

You are quite literally the only hiring manager I've ever heard of in tech who says they're swayed by the cover letter or really even reads the cover letter. I had concluded that, at best, it fed the inside sourcer some talking points with which to sell you internally. Interesting to know that there are exceptions to the rule, but on the whole the cover letter isn't something I'd optimize for. I just don't think it's used that much.

gearoidoc 10y ago
Sorry, you're a million miles off the mark. The cover letter is your chance to explain Why you want to apply and Why you'd be a good fit. The resume explains Who you are (professionally). The Why is just as (and sometimes more) important than the Who.
- geoelectric 10y ago
  Sure, I took job hunting 101 too. I've also been involved in a lot of hiring decisions and a number of these sorts of discussions. The gap in your chances between "I know someone in the company" and "I don't know someone in the company" is so huge that I can't/couldn't imagine a cover letter making a big difference if you don't already know somebody. So my recommendations have normally been around networking or canvasing friends-of-friends to know somebody and then go that route. That said, I have to admit it's been a long time since I've had to do a cold round of applications so I totally accept I've underestimated.
  - jc4p 10y ago
    This is really interesting, I think we've experienced some very different companies! Where I currently worked, I've been the "inside source" for 4 people (2 of which I initially reached out to first), all of them were rejected :(
    - hdctambien 10y ago
      But did they get an interview? A Cover Letter / CV / "Inside Source" isn't (usually) going to get you the job. It's just going to get your foot in the door.
      - jc4p 10y ago
        Two didn't
thedz 10y ago
FWIW I'll add another data point as someone who reads cover letters, uses that to distinguish between what are sometimes very similarly experienced resumes

gearoidoc 10y ago

Sorry, you're a million miles off the mark. The cover letter is your chance to explain Why you want to apply and Why you'd be a good fit. The resume explains Who you are (professionally). The Why is just as (and sometimes more) important than the Who.

geoelectric 10y ago
Sure, I took job hunting 101 too. I've also been involved in a lot of hiring decisions and a number of these sorts of discussions. The gap in your chances between "I know someone in the company" and "I don't know someone in the company" is so huge that I can't/couldn't imagine a cover letter making a big difference if you don't already know somebody. So my recommendations have normally been around networking or canvasing friends-of-friends to know somebody and then go that route. That said, I have to admit it's been a long time since I've had to do a cold round of applications so I totally accept I've underestimated.
- jc4p 10y ago
  This is really interesting, I think we've experienced some very different companies! Where I currently worked, I've been the "inside source" for 4 people (2 of which I initially reached out to first), all of them were rejected :(
  - hdctambien 10y ago
    But did they get an interview? A Cover Letter / CV / "Inside Source" isn't (usually) going to get you the job. It's just going to get your foot in the door.
    - jc4p 10y ago
      Two didn't

thedz 10y ago

FWIW I'll add another data point as someone who reads cover letters, uses that to distinguish between what are sometimes very similarly experienced resumes