Covering letters - the first line

[benhurr]

Hi All.

As someone who struggles for that amazing first impression, I was wondering what you all typed in as the first line of your covering letter.

Are you a:

"I am really keen to work for you...."

or a :

"Did you hear about the pilot and the monkey?"

or a :

"Ok lets keep it simple, please find enclosed a cheque for £1000"

I have tried serious, funny, sensible, hilarious, bored, tired, desperate, disingeneous, disengeneous hyberbolic, hyperbolic... (see other thread)etc. etc.

What I want to know is, what is that killer line which worked for you?

When I say worked, I mean the line that at least got a PFO letter in reply.

yours

bh

(edited for spelling already)

[defiant]

Cover letters.

BenH, have you tried something formal like;

Dear, (Insert chief pilots name here, etc..)

In response to your recent advertisement in '...............', please accept this letter in application for the ............position currently available within your company.

(Add in your own personal overview - Why you would like the job here).


Thank you for your consideration.

Respectfully yours,
.........



See if this works for you,
Defiant

Tell me if it does! Im sending a few applications out in this style!

[Luke SkyToddler]

Keep it simple, formal and polite ... something like :

-------------

Captain Speaking
Flight Ops Manager
Big Airlines
123 Medium St
Bigsville

Dear Captain Speaking

I am writing to submit my curriculum vitae, with regard to employment as a first officer with Big Airlines.

I am currently employed as a FO/Captain on the yadda yadda aircraft type with yadda yadda air charter (if it's your first job, then put something like "I have recently graduated from **** flying school ) and hold a yadda yadda yadda licence with yadda hours, yadda multi engine, etc.

I would love to work for Big Airlines because yadda yadda yadda ...

Please find my curriculum vitae enclosed.

Should you require further references or any other information then please contact me at any time on 020 **** ****.

Yours sincerely

A. Wannabe

-------------

Or something along those lines. Hasn't gotten me a job yet, but plenty of PFO letters so I must be doing something right ... I think (yeah right)

(edited for spelling)

[carb]

I would hand-write the "Dear blah" and "Yours blah blah" bits, makes the letter look more personal.

[AH64 APACHE]

Have heard that the hand written ones get thrown away - i.e. they don't know how to type and also why strain people's eyes when you can type it and much easier to read?

Also folks I would not get too concerned with the opening line - after all if a company is going to hire you/interview you just by your opening line what does that say about it as a company and as an equal opportunity employer?

[Captain Cruise]

The attitude of the Recruitment Officer doesn't always reflect the attitude of the company.

I believe that the first impression is important. A neatly typed and well spaced letter on good quality paper always goes over well.

[Miles High]

I believe, within reason and as long as its literate, it doesn't really matter. Far more important is your experience and whether it hits the right place at the right time...
And therein lies the trick.

[Jinkster]

Covering letters a living nightmare for myself!

Basically the problem, I hate waffleing on and I'm sure the airlines do too!

Also coming straight from college (a-levels) into flying training, working through the course at McDonalds and Sainsburys.

Hmmm....what to put! Glad everyone else is finding it hard work and I'm not in a different boat!

[spaceman1000]

with this kind of cover letter, I can guaranty you will go far!!!


Dear Loser,

If I am sending you my CV to you, it is simply because they market is full of losers like you.

See, if the market were no so much currupt, I would not problably have to pay a stamp to send my CV to a loser like you.

I can imagine your smile when you are reading this mail, but when your stupid airline will be bankrupt like volare, Sabena, Airlib... and you will lose your job. Guys like me , will receive CV from losers like you.

at this time , you have your sausage in my butt, but next time it is my sausage you will feel somewhere!

by the way, do you know where your wife is??? she is probably having some fun with an unemployed pilot (like me)...

have a good day !

captain XXX

[Dirtbox]

I imagine it's lost something in the translation..

[High Wing Drifter]

My general philosophy for these things, which I intend to carry over to aviation, is that less is more (in terms of content that is).

[Grass strip basher]

Spaceman1000 I think I am starting to understand why you are having a problem finding a job....

[Pub User]

Also folks I would not get too concerned with the opening line - after all if a company is going to hire you/interview you just by your opening line what does that say about it as a company and as an equal opportunity employer?

Very true. But the opening line will not get you a job or interview, it may get the reader to read the rest of the letter, which may then be removed from the mountain of applications and put in the 'maybe' pile, rather than the bin.

At some stage the reader will re-read it, and the opening line may again help the letter get from the 'maybe' pile into the 'interview' pile.

The reader may then decide there are too many in the 'interview' and read them again, probably just the first few lines this time. Once again the opening line will play a crucial role, and may keep the letter in the 'interview' pile, and you will be invited to interview.

Only then does the opening line lose its importance.

[GJB]

Stick to formal prose, but it would be better to address it to whoever actually handles the application.

If you write "Dear Sir" then ensure you finish with "Yours Faithfully"
or
"Dear Captain Aviator" then finish with"Your Sincerely"

It's amazing how many people get the basics wrong thus creating a bad impression.

(edited for spelling !!)

[rentaghost]

benhurr

i am told that until recently your third attempt at an opening line would have at least got you an interview at an EMA based carrier!!

keep at it , it will come!
RG