Project Management Recruitment Ideas

Posted on | March 16, 2010 | Author: | lindsayascott | 4 Comments

Last week we looked at the application process in the first Project Management Recruitment Idea and I’m going to stick with the same part of the process because I’m seeing another common mistake that people are making in their applications. It’s the cover note.

The Cover Note

The cover note is normally used to accompany the CV and give an overview of why you are applying for a particular role and why you would make a good fit for what has been advertised. Often the job seeker will make an exceptional job with the cover note and really put a lot of thought into how they match what the employer is looking for. The problem can occur when the excellent information in the cover note is not replicated anywhere in the CV. Often the cover note will be seperated from the CV in the recruitment process, which means that time and effort making the right connections for the reader will be lost in the process.

You need to make sure that the succinct overview of applicable knowledge, skills and experience also make it into the CV. Think about it, you make a good case in the cover note but in the CV there is nowhere where you share a succinct account of who you are. Think about using the personal profile area of a CV to share this clear account of yourself. Equally, if you don’t make an effort with the cover note, you should. The cover note is read by the first gatekeeper of your application (that could be an agent, first line recruitment administrator, even hiring manager) and they will read it before opening up the CV. If the cover note just replicates what is already in your CV (i.e., you just copy and paste from your CV into a cover note), what do you think the reader thinks about the job applicant? Lazy, can’t be bothered, unprofessional?? Not the first impression you wanted to create.