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.
Twitter: splett
Is this still a problem you’re facing? I would think specially for people applying on project management position should be experienced enough for managing their own interests. But anyway you’re right that everyone should have this thought and I would recommend besides the personal area in the CV an area of interests (business and personal).
Twitter: projectmgmt
Hi Andreas
Yes it’s a huge problem regardless of type of role, seniority, experience, salary levels. I think somewhere along the line, job seekers either forgot how useful the cover note is to a reader or no one told them in the first place! Interesting point about people in project management positions should be experienced enough to manage their own interests – I would have thought so too, but unfortunately too many, and it’s like 95% don’t bother using a cover note. Somewhere along the way the recruitment/job hunting etiquette got lost and that means for the fortunate few that have found it, they’re standing out of the crowd.
Twitter: PMOCentric
Speaking as both a careers advisor and recruitment consultant within the project management arena, I completely agree with Lindsay’s article. Having advised hundreds of project management professionals on their application style it has become apparent that a small minority actually understand a targeted approach to securing that crucial interview is required.
More often than not the applicant writes a CV based around the projects themselves but falls short of articulating their involvement on the project and particularly their competency levels. On discovering a relevant role to apply for those who use traditional etiquette by sending a covering letter often contextualise their relevant skills and experience to the specific role – on reading these cover notes I personally feel we may have a good match to the role with this candidate. Then the CV lets them down, as the CV is the main document which will make its way in front of a line manager it makes the recruitment consultants role more difficult to “sell” the candidate. Let’s face it, in this economic climate with over 100 people applying for any one role and timescales for presenting CVs to clients very tight; would you look to coach the candidate to re-write their CV or pick the next candidate who has clearly demonstrated their competency levels, project scope and realised benefits? Successful project management is arguably all about effective communication – understanding the stakeholder requirements in order to meet their needs, the CV therefore becomes a brilliant opportunity to demonstrate a critical competence.
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