FAQ application and cover letter

How do I get feedback on an application?

FAQ application and letter of motivation

Although there are no rules on how to respond to an application, it is important to respond to every applicant, even if the answer is negative. It is important to provide clear and precise feedback and to thank the person for their application. The employer's brand image is at stake. A candidate who has been clumsily turned down or who does not receive a reply can, quite rightly, easily spread the word on social networks, ruining your efforts to marketing HR!

How do I send an email to find out if my application has been accepted?

In most cases, an e-mail request is the best way to ask if your application has been accepted. Be brief and polite and ask if the application has been considered and if it is possible to obtain further information. Have your e-mail proofread before you send it.

Don't be afraid to nag the recruiter, especially if it's your first follow-up. Persistence is not a bad thing. Following up with a recruiter is a way of showing your motivation and reminding them of their basic obligation to be correct.

How do I correct a covering letter?

It is important to reread your cover letter several times and correct any spelling or grammatical errors. Also make sure that all the information you provide is up to date and relevant, and that it matches your LinkedIn page in every way and, of course, the position you are applying for.

How do I correct a CV?

Check the content of your CV to make sure it is up to date and accurate. Reread it to correct any spelling mistakes and grammar and make sure it is consistent with your LinkedIn profile. You can also call on the services of a relative or a professional proofreading service. Do a Google search such as " Professional CV proofreading and correction service ". In all cases, adopt a professional attitude and never send a CV without a third party having had a chance to take a close look at your composition. If you don't, you run the risk of your recruiter spotting the mistake first and dismissing your application. Neglecting to have your CV proofread is an attitude that you could also adopt in a professional context, which a recruiter does not want.

Mistakes to avoid in a covering letter

Avoid spelling and grammatical errors, irrelevant information, long sentences and technical and abstract vocabulary. Don't repeat what's already on your CV.

Don't neglect the layout. Don't criticise your previous employers. And above all, avoid lying!

What sentence should you use at the end of your cover letter?

A good sentence to conclude your cover letter should reiterate your desire to work for a company and show what makes your application an asset. It should also invite your interviewer to take the opportunity to meet you without giving the impression that you are trying too hard. See our article on greeting in a covering letter to write an effective cover letter.

How do you write a convincing covering letter?

To write a convincing cover letter, you first need to make people want to read your letter. So you need to take care with the hook of your cover letter. Next, you need to show that you understand the scope of the job. Make sure you emphasise your skills and qualities that are expected for the job and that meet the company's immediate needs. Back up your statements with measurable results. Don't forget to demonstrate your ability to work as part of a team. Take the opportunity to highlight your cross-cutting skills or softskills. Project yourself into the job.

Finally, don't neglect the form. Conventions, spelling and layout must be impeccable.

How do you write a short, simple covering letter?

A short, simple covering letter should be clear and concise. Get straight to the point, showing that you understand the company's needs and that your skills put you in an ideal position to meet them. Keep it to one page. Don't repeat what is on your CV, but emphasise what you will bring to the company.

What are the 4 paragraphs of a covering letter?

The four traditional paragraphs of a covering letter are :

1. 1. The hook or introduction,
   2. The company: show what you know about the company and its values.
   3. You: describe your qualifications and professional experience. Also highlight your values.
   4. The conclusion: the "We", in other words "You and the company". This is the time to highlight the match between your profile, your values and the company's expectations.

How do you politely say you're expecting a reply?

There is no one right way to say politely that you expect a response, and purists believe that you cannot decently thank someone before they take action. However, there's nothing to stop you from humbly asking for a response: "Thank you for the attention you have given to my application and I would be delighted to...". Even if you're impatient, there's no need to say so. Above all, avoid the ready-made formulas you'll find on the internet. That's the best way of appearing unnoticed in the crowd of applicants.

What phrase will convince an employer?

You can say, "I'm convinced I'd be a great addition to your team and that I can bring the skills and experience your company needs to achieve its goals." But remember, it's your employer who needs to be convinced. If you weren't convinced, you wouldn't bother writing a covering letter!

What is the best form of address?

The best form of address is one that combines simplicity and authenticity. You should therefore avoid using pompous phrases whose meaning you are not sure of. You should adapt the level of language you use to the person you are speaking to. "Please accept, Sir/Madam, the assurances of my highest esteem". Read our recommendations on polite wording to use in a covering letter.

What is the correct form of address?

For want of the best formula, a good greeting is addressed personally to the person you are talking to. There's no need to use "Yours sincerely" if you know that your recruiter is a man. Show that you have made the effort to identify your interviewer precisely. Read our advice on this subject to find out how to approach the person who could be your future employer.

What are the forms of politeness?

The most commonly used polite formulas are plentiful on the internet: but many of them could be inappropriate when they don't amount to logorrhoea. For example, "Yours faithfully", "Yours faithfully", "Yours faithfully" and "Yours faithfully". Remember that you can express feelings, respects or greetings. But we cannot accept the expression of greetingsGreetings are not a feeling or an attitude. So don't use expressions such as "Yours sincerely"!

How do you write a cover letter in 2023?

A cover letter in 2023 should focus on your skills and experience relevant to the position you are applying for. It should enable the reader to see you as the ideal candidate. Make sure you highlight your skills for the job and show your motivation by projecting yourself into the role.

How do you explain your motivation for a job?

Explain in detail why you are motivated for the job and how your qualifications and experience can help the company achieve its objectives. Use concrete examples to illustrate your motivation.

How do I apply, for example?

Make sure your CV and covering letter are up to date and clearly describe your qualifications and motivation. Send your application by e-mail, and include a short covering message. It goes without saying that if your application is equal, the one accompanied by a covering letter will probably be considered more favourably.

How do you highlight your qualities in a covering letter?

Highlight your relevant qualifications and explain how they can contribute to the company's success: by using concrete examples of your achievements to illustrate your skills and experience, you'll show that the qualities you've described really are who you are.

Why you and not someone else?

Talk about yourself, because you are the person you know best and you know your strengths. The recruiter will be able to gauge your motivation. Don't fall into the trap of talking about others! Give concrete examples of your results, but remain sufficiently humble and modest!

For example, how do you make an unsolicited application?

An unsolicited application is a covering letter and CV sent by a candidate to introduce themselves to a company that is not necessarily recruiting. It's up to you to make them want to meet you. It must show that you are perfectly qualified for the position you could apply for. Target your interviewer carefully, taking care to find out all you can about the company and its activities. You'll have an even better chance of attracting interest if you're aiming for jobs in sectors in short supply, such as sales, hospitality or catering, or highly sought-after management positions such as engineers, developers, project managers or data scientists.

Why are you the ideal candidate?

You might say, "I'm the ideal candidate because I have the skills and experience to succeed in this role. I have demonstrated my ability to meet the demands of the role and to go above and beyond to achieve exceptional results." But you'll need to add some complementary qualities that will make your profile attractive. Show that you are sociable and that you have achieved results in a friendly atmosphere.

What are your strengths and weaknesses?

Where to start? If you start by talking about your weaknesses, you leave your strengths to the end of your speech. If you start with your strengths and then move on to your weaknesses, you run the risk of ending your speech with the most negative aspect of your personality. To avoid leaving your audience on a negative note, you can start by talking about your strengths, using examples, and then acknowledge that you also have a few weaknesses. The self-criticism exercise will first show that you can take an objective look at your personality and that you are aware of your weaknesses. Instead of insisting on your weaknesses themselves, show that you have weaknesses of which you are fully aware and that you are constantly working to overcome them (training, reading, etc.).

What is your motivation?

Your motivations largely depend on your personal aspirations and interests. If they coincide with the interests of the company in question, then you may have developed a clear interest in the position on offer. Show that you have taken an interest in the company and that you have understood what is at stake in the job. Say why you see yourself in the job and try to explain why you specifically want to join the company in question. Be concrete and avoid clichés such as "motivated, dynamic, etc.". Just give specific examples of your achievements, talk about your results and explain why you took the steps you did to achieve them.

How do you convince an employer in 5 minutes?

If you have to introduce yourself and you only have 5 minutes, remember to prepare your sales pitch. Whether in writing or in the lift, your speech must be structured, in other words, prepared. Your pitch or elevator pitch must enable :

- introduce yourself in one sentence. I am XX, I hold or have held such and such a position, I have carried out such and such a type of task and I would like to put my YY skills at your disposal to carry out the task you would like to see carried out within your company.

- make a good first impression: dress professionally, arrive on time, introduce yourself and smile.

- ask the right questions. Don't focus on the details of the job's remuneration or the amount of luncheon vouchers - this is not the time - but rather on the challenges of the position to be filled and the precise workings of the company you are applying for.

What are your flaws? How do you sell yourself in writing?

Your faults, unless they are crippling, should be mentioned with the sole aim of turning them into an asset. If you think you don't have any, that's precisely what will play tricks on you. You'll be seen as insincere and over-confident... Conversely, you won't be asked to self-flagellate in public. Remember only your minor faults and take the opportunity to say how you are striving to improve and correct yourself. Remember, too, that the written word remains. If you have to mention a shortcoming in writing, make sure that it is the shortcoming that you have cultivated to the point of making it your best asset.

How do I respond to a successful application?

The tone you adopt can be less formal when you tell a candidate that they have been selected. However, be careful not to become too familiar, as the candidate may also choose to give up because of the employer's inappropriate attitude. Bear in mind that when it comes to recruiting for jobs in short supply, it's up to the employer to make an effort to attract candidates.

How do I reapply? How can I get support for my application?

Keeping things formal, simply reiterate the facts: you responded on such-and-such a day to such-and-such an offer and you simply want to know when the company plans to get back to you. Take the opportunity to reiterate your interest in the job and your availability. If necessary, show that you have made progress in order to perfect your skills and be more suited to the position to be filled. Don't hesitate to mention that you have references available on request. If your reader's curiosity prompts you to ask for them, that's a first sign of interest in your profile!

How do you relaunch HR?

Maintain the professional attitude you have adopted up to this point. Be careful not to become too familiar, even if the first meeting seemed friendly.

How do you present yourself in five minutes?

If you're not used to the exercise, it can be very tempting to launch into a long speech that repeats your entire CV. This is not the point of the exercise, and remember that what is on your CV should only be repeated in your presentation to give greater weight to your achievements. If you play the violin, there's no need to say that you started at the age of 5 at the local conservatory. Instead, say that you have the tenacity of a violin player and that, as with this hobby, you have enough tenacity to endure the arduous training that will enable you to become a virtuoso in the professional arena - all things being equal, of course!

What are the convincing words?

Use positive language. Don't put yourself down. Fight the impostor syndrome! Show that your choices are informed by your personality and your will, not that they reflect your social status and that you had nothing to do with them.

How available are you?

In all situations, be completely honest. If you are in post and have to give notice, state this clearly. If you're not sure, state that too. Show that you are faithful to your commitments, because even if it doesn't suit you or the person you are talking to, an employer will always prefer to know what they are sticking to.

What can I say when I'm waiting for you to come back?

While you're waiting for Godot... there's nothing to stop you asking how soon you can expect a response. The best thing, of course, is to be able to ask this question in an interview. If this is not the case, a ready-made phrase such as "awaiting your return" neither commits the person reading it, nor tells you how long you can expect to wait for a reply. Get yourself out of this situation by asking for details of a possible recruitment date, the easiest way being to pick up the phone and ask to speak to the person in charge of recruitment.

How do I reply to a work e-mail?

The best answer to this question is to adopt the attitude you would have if you were already in a job: in the most professional way. This means being measured and as considerate as you would be to a trusted customer or supplier. Be clear and unequivocal. If a situation doesn't seem clear to you, say so to avoid any misunderstanding. Also consider speaking to the person you are dealing with if you feel that the written word is not likely to clarify the situation quickly. Don't be hasty, but conversely, don't be slow to respond either. If the person you are speaking to is likely to be impatient, acknowledge receipt of their message and let them know how soon you will be able to reply. In all cases, honour your commitment to respond.

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