Cover letters

The blue collar world is different than the office-worker one. I'd say split the difference. Courtesy is always in order, but a page condensing your life history is definitely not. A simple (3/4 sentences or so) cover note should do it.

 

I always do a cover letter, nothing fancy.

Just the Date
Name/Fax # of the person I'm sending the fax to

Then My first/middle/last name
My Phone #

Then the total Number of pages

Then possibly a comment section depending on what I'm sending. Like for a application I wouldn't put a comment, but if they call me and want me to fax a copy of my MVR to them I would put in the comments:This is the Copy of my MVR that you requested." Because you got to remember recruiters receive 100's if not 1000's of phone calls a day there probably not going to remember you.




American Trucker

 

That's more of a cover PAGE than a cover LETTER. If you're faxing you should always put on a cover page.

Cover letters are a more subjective way of trying to convince them to hire you. They can see your resume and employment history, experience, and other factual information, but the cover letter gives you a chance to add some more story to it. They're notoriously hard to write.

http://www.career.vt.edu/JobSearchGuide/CoverLetterSamples.html

 

DO NOT send a cover letter unless its specifically required by the potential employer. they wish NOT to be inundated by needless paper work to read through. in fact, i have never seen a cover letter required for truckers, UNLESS its a civil service job with your state or town, or city. and then THOSE people would want a past salary list from you as well.

 

Redsky, As far as advise all I can do is tell you my experience in regards to this. I applied to eight different companies with this attached cover letter.

I got response from all eight with in 48 hours. All but two complimented me on my cover letter and said it gave additional insight about me. Something I'm told doesn't happen much.

I'm not trying to buck what these Vets are saying, just relating my experience. It also maybe true that the Blue Collar hiring process maybe different, but remember that some of these recruiters are not blue collar. If you don't believe me look at the hiring requirements for a transport recruiter on a job web site like Monster or Career builder, they all want a degree. Which categorically removes them from blue collar status.

I would add it....something short and sweet....if they don't want to read it...they won't. They will instead place it in the circular file.

 

With so many people unemployed right now, anything to give you that "professional" edge couldn't hurt.

 

When in doubt... Do a cover letter. If you really want to find out if you need one or if having one will improve your chances.
1) use internet
2) look up the prospective employers contact info
3) call the Prospective employer
4) ask for there HR department, or find out who's incharge of reviewing applications or the assistant/secretary of said individual
5) ask that particular individual about a cover letter


If the company is large and notoriously known swift, JB hunt, schnieder, ect... you don't need a cover letter or resume to apply.