I need advice, please.

agartin

I haven't written a cover letter in a while. I have a resume already, and I've tweaked it to fit the position I am interviewing for. I was called in to speak with the manager of a 24 Hour Fitness tomorrow at 10am. He asked that I bring my resume, of course. I would like to have a cover letter ready, as well.

I'm kind of clueless about this though.

I do have experience with sales, which is what the position calls for. (Membership Sales) My experience was with Palm Beach Tan. I held a management position there. We had daily/monthly quotas to meet. I also have experience with interviewing/hiring and ordering inventory.

Not sure if that would help.

Also - My most RECENT positions held were clerical/office support. My wardrobe consists of blue jeans and t-shirts, and business suits.

Would it be too over the top to wear a business suit to my interview? I feel I'd rather dress up than down, but at the same time I know you should 'dress for the position'. I wouldn't feel comfortable showing up to interview in yoga pants and a polo. (That's what they wear on the job)

Advice, please.

agartin

Thanks in advance to any one who actually reads this.. lol

ouryear002

I work to help people get jobs. I would wear the suit. That way you are showing you are taking it seriously and you have the ability to dress more professionally if needed. The cover letter should sell how your experience matches what they need. Look at the job posting and highlight terms you can fit to your experience. I will try and email you a copy of my most recent cover letter on here. My letter doesn't say anything about the business becasue the job was posted through a third party, so I didn't know the business. But you should include something specific to the business, it's reputation, blah blah...Good luck!

agartin

I work to help people get jobs. I would wear the suit. That way you are showing you are taking it seriously and you have the ability to dress more professionally if needed. The cover letter should sell how your experience matches what they need. Look at the job posting and highlight terms you can fit to your experience. I will try and email you a copy of my most recent cover letter on here. My letter doesn't say anything about the business becasue the job was posted through a third party, so I didn't know the business. But you should include something specific to the business, it's reputation, blah blah...Good luck!

Thank you very much. I've asked a few people IRL and they said to wear jeans. I thought that was almost an insult to my interviewer..

I will go with the suit!

dino1147

Definitely over dress! As a former HR person I can't tell you how much I'd rather overdress than come in wearing jeans.

As for your cover letter, search online, but you've outlined some pretty good points in your post, go with those! If you know the manager's name, address him or her specifically, thank them for the interview, quickly outline your high points and your desire for the job and then close the letter.

More importantly call or send a thank you note two days after. You never know when their workload has become such that they haven't had time to make phone calls or sit down and make a decision - your contact will put you at the forefront of their mind!

Luck!

RoadDog

Dress and groom for your interview.

Tailor your cover letter and resume to fit the position you are applying. Be honest. Remember YOU are interviewing them as well.

Ask questions. Not about time off, vacation, benefits. That's important, but should be discussed when an offer is made.
Ask intelligent questions about the job, operating systems, etc.

Be confident, but don't brag. Look your interviewer in the eye. If more than one, engage each one when you speak.

Good Luck.

agartin

Thank you all so much for the great advice. And especially about the Thank You card. I remember reading about that, and I meant to do it next time I interviewed. I'm at the library now, printing out my resume, but I'm about to head to Wal*Mart for some new eyeliner. (I had to throw mine out due to a stye. haha) I'll remember to pick up a cheap pack of Thank You cards!

agartin

Dress and groom for your interview.

Tailor your cover letter and resume to fit the position you are applying. Be honest. Remember YOU are interviewing them as well.

Ask questions. Not about time off, vacation, benefits. That's important, but should be discussed when an offer is made.
Ask intelligent questions about the job, operating systems, etc.

Be confident, but don't brag. Look your interviewer in the eye. If more than one, engage each one when you speak.

Good Luck.

Oh, I would NEVER ask about that during an interview. HAHA. I remember conducting interviews at the last two positions I've held.. I always hated when I was asked about pay/PTO etc etc before I even had time to fully evaluate the interview! Also - during my training for Interviewing/Hiring, I've learned it's best to find the POSITIVE in all of your previous jobs.. whether you got along well with your boss or not! If a person speaks negatively about a previous employer/company to you, than who's to say they won't do the same once they've left that job?!

I will definitely try to remember some of the key points I looked for when conducting interviews, myself.