Covering letter for job applications

petemc · 09-10-2005, 17:13

How does this sound?

Quote:

Dear Sir / Madam,
I am writing to apply for the position of Photographer at ..... I am currently a freelance photographer specialising in music and portrait photography.

I am a strong believer in real world experience over that of formal qualifications. I have learnt more in the past year of being a freelance photographer than I did when I studied for my BSc in Software Engineering. While I do not hold any formal qualifications in photography, I have pushed myself to get to where I am now. I have won numerous photography competitions, been featured on the BBC website a number of times and attracted international clients.

My main influences are Henri Cartier-Besson and Ansel Adams. I love Henri Cartier-Besson's ability to capture real moments. He has inspired me to spend time in Liverpool, walking the streets waiting for that perfect shot. He has an amazing ability to capture real people. What I admire most about Ansel Adams is his ability to create fantastic landscapes using darkroom techniques. They have both inspired me to spend more time outside trying to capture real life in Liverpool and to spend more time learning the fine art of Photoshop. While I do believe that Photoshop is an amazing tool, it can't replace getting the shot right first time with the camera.

I have enclosed my CV with some recent portrait and music photography. I do not mind relocating for the position as it will allow me to find new places to photograph. I look forward to hearing from you.

milou · 09-10-2005, 18:55

As a whole, that's ok but I have difficulty with the "real world" comment. I would imagine that a formal qualification, say a 3 year degree course in photography, would encompass a lot of "real world" experience. It's use as a phrase does imply that those with any formal qualifications haven't earned their "spurs". If a position is expecting applicants to hold formal qualifications, concentrate on drawing attention to examples of your work to show your skill.

This link might be useful: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applications_and_interviews/Applications/The_covering_letter/p!efXakl

May have to copy and paste that link!

Edit: And best of luck with the applications! (Knew there was something else I meant to say).

Matty · 09-10-2005, 19:00

thats a good link Milou, im enclined to agree with you there too, dont imply that people with qualifications know nowt, it might not go down well

petemc · 09-10-2005, 19:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by EosD

thats a good link Milou, im enclined to agree with you there too, dont imply that people with qualifications know nowt, it might not go down well

Nah I'm not trying to. I'm trying to show that while I don't have a degree in Photography I have real world experience which is better than a degree. My Software Engineering degree taught me the basics in a variety of subjects but I learnt so much more on my placement year than I did doing the degree.

milou · 09-10-2005, 19:14

I was thinking of the recipients of your CV who may well have such formal qualifications and may consider that they worked hard to accomplish such.

Steep · 09-10-2005, 19:14

You're speaking of both your photographic influences in the present tense, since they are both deceased you'd be better using the past tense, e.g had instead of has.

milou · 09-10-2005, 19:20

.....

**stepheno** · 09-10-2005, 19:43

Hi Pete - it's difficult to comment without knowing more. Is it application by letter, form? Is there a job description, person spec? What type of company - corporate, local sole trader etc, etc.

If it's on letter alone and I assume it is, then you need to put in as much as possible as to why you can

- do the job better than anybody else

- want the job more than anybody else

before your letter gets boring - difficult I know.

I have spent a lifetime interviewing and employing people and as a general letter it's fine but nothing really stands out. But...I've never interviewed a prospective photographer before so as I said....difficult to comment. Can you post the ad or job details? No perhaps not - someone else might go for it.

My only specific criticism of your letter is the "I don't mind relocating...." This suggests to me a very slight negative in there. The fact that you are applying says that you will relocate. As I've said it's a good general letter, tells me about what you think but not your ability as a photographer - but I would imagine your portfolio would do that. HTH or gives some room for thought. Good luck with the application

regards

RobertP · 09-10-2005, 19:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by petemc

I love Henri Cartier-Besson's ability

I don't have o level english so could be wrong..... isn't that more than one Besson?

I love Henri Cartier-Bessons' ability ?

petemc · 09-10-2005, 19:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by milou

I was thinking of the recipients of your CV who may well have such formal qualifications and may consider that they worked hard to accomplish such.

Yer I get what you mean. When my mates and I finished our SE degree we all agreed that we were certainly not qualified for any decent jobs and we got decent degrees. Maybe it was the Uni, but the people on my course were not really the kind of people I would hire to do programming. I guess other degrees are different

Quote:

Originally Posted by stepheno

Hi Pete - it's difficult to comment without knowing more. Is it application by letter, form? Is there a job description, person spec? What type of company - corporate, local sole trader etc, etc.

If it's on letter alone and I assume it is, then you need to put in as much as possible as to why you can

- do the job better than anybody else

- want the job more than anybody else

before your letter gets boring - difficult I know.

I have spent a lifetime interviewing and employing people and as a general letter it's fine but nothing really stands out. But...I've never interviewed a prospective photographer before so as I said....difficult to comment. Can you post the ad or job details? No perhaps not - someone else might go for it.

My only specific criticism of your letter is the "I don't mind relocating...." This suggests to me a very slight negative in there. The fact that you are applying says that you will relocate. As I've said it's a good general letter, tells me about what you think but not your ability as a photographer - but I would imagine your portfolio would do that. HTH or gives some room for thought. Good luck with the application

regards

Thanks

Its pretty much a general letter for spamming every job I can find. I do have a CV prepared which I'm also tweaking.

petemc · 09-10-2005, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertP

I don't have o level english so could be wrong..... isn't that more than one Besson?

I love Henri Cartier-Bessons' ability ?

hehe I dunno

I've never been able to do those things.

milou · 09-10-2005, 20:00

Henri Cartier-Bresson's ability is right - the 's is belonging to. And there's an "r" in his surname.

RobertP · 09-10-2005, 20:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by milou

Henri Cartier-Bresson's ability is right - the 's is belonging to. And there's an "r" in his surname.

At least there was something wrong with it

Found this on apostrophes

mfwild13 · 09-10-2005, 20:32

With reference to your CV.

I personally think the different font sizes for the title and your name are either the wrong way around or preferably should be the same with maybe a slight emphasis on your name through brightness, subtle colouration (maybe the same as the graphic - may make sense to make it an image to ensure it always looks right).

I would call Photoshop is an application rather than a program.

'About you' section needs to be a sales pitch rather than a statement of fact. Include something about being able to work as part of a team as well as on your own. Motivated/self starter etc etc.

The next section should be key achievements or maybe move up the photography experience to here and rename Professional Phototgraphy Experience or similar.

Although not relevant to the role, you should include some employment history (assuming you have some) as it shows you are reliable, able to hold down a job etc.

I personally think that references should only be included at this stage if the names are widely recognisable ie name dropping. Otherwise leave them out until asked.

Do you think the sample images adequately show the range of your capabilities or will you tailor them depending on the role applied for? I think the quantity chosen is correct though.

Generally I like the overall style, clear, easy to read, relatively brief. You just need to sell yourself a bit more e.g. well versed in Photoshop should be very experienced in Photoshop or something similar.

Good luck

Mark

petemc · 09-10-2005, 20:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfwild13

With reference to your CV.

I personally think the different font sizes for the title and your name are either the wrong way around or preferably should be the same with maybe a slight emphasis on your name through brightness, subtle colouration (maybe the same as the graphic - may make sense to make it an image to ensure it always looks right).

I would call Photoshop is an application rather than a program.

'About you' section needs to be a sales pitch rather than a statement of fact. Include something about being able to work as part of a team as well as on your own. Motivated/self starter etc etc.

The next section should be key achievements or maybe move up the photography experience to here and rename Professional Phototgraphy Experience or similar.

Although not relevant to the role, you should include some employment history (assuming you have some) as it shows you are reliable, able to hold down a job etc.

I personally think that references should only be included at this stage if the names are widely recognisable ie name dropping. Otherwise leave them out until asked.

Do you think the sample images adequately show the range of your capabilities or will you tailor them depending on the role applied for? I think the quantity chosen is correct though.

Generally I like the overall style, clear, easy to read, relatively brief. You just need to sell yourself a bit more e.g. well versed in Photoshop should be very experienced in Photoshop or something similar.

Good luck

Mark

The images are tailored to the role, which is currently portraits

I'm adding in the work experience stuff. I didn't really think a CV for a photography job would look good listing web design work but as you say, shows I can hold a job. Even if each company I've worked for failed

I'll try and work on the selling myself thing. I dunno what it is but I've never been good at selling myself.

CT · 09-10-2005, 20:51

What I admire most about Ansel Adams is his ability to create fantastic landscapes using darkroom techniques.

Pete, I'd rephrase this mate. What Adams is most remembered for is his invention of The Zone Metering System. It's incredibly difficult to grasp and to put into operation, but Adams argued that if you correctly identified a particular tone in a scene as it would appear in monochrome, and correctly exposed for it - all other tones would automatically be correctly exposed. He was a fanatic for correct exposure, hence the reason he devised his system.

The truth is that despite all his efforts, many of his finest shots owe as much to darkroom manipulation as they do to his metering system, so you're not wrong, but if you're going to mention Adams at all, I wouldn't put more emphasis on the darkroom than on his metering system, which many people tend to think was infallible, when of course - it wasn't.

petemc · 09-10-2005, 21:06

Quote:

09-10-2005, 18:55	#2 (permalink)
milou Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 583	As a whole, that's ok but I have difficulty with the "real world" comment. I would imagine that a formal qualification, say a 3 year degree course in photography, would encompass a lot of "real world" experience. It's use as a phrase does imply that those with any formal qualifications haven't earned their "spurs". If a position is expecting applicants to hold formal qualifications, concentrate on drawing attention to examples of your work to show your skill. This link might be useful: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/cms/ShowPage/Home_page/Applications_and_interviews/Applications/The_covering_letter/p!efXakl May have to copy and paste that link! Edit: And best of luck with the applications! (Knew there was something else I meant to say). __________________ 100% zimmer photoblog Last edited by milou : 09-10-2005 at 19:07. Reason: Status update: memory is going...

09-10-2005, 19:20	#7 (permalink)
milou Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 583	..... Last edited by milou : 09-10-2005 at 19:32. Reason: rethink

09-10-2005, 19:00	#3 (permalink)
Matty Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: kings hill Posts: 5,269	thats a good link Milou, im enclined to agree with you there too, dont imply that people with qualifications know nowt, it might not go down well

09-10-2005, 19:14	#5 (permalink)
milou Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 583	I was thinking of the recipients of your CV who may well have such formal qualifications and may consider that they worked hard to accomplish such.

09-10-2005, 19:14	#6 (permalink)
Steep Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inverness Posts: 964	You're speaking of both your photographic influences in the present tense, since they are both deceased you'd be better using the past tense, e.g had instead of has.

09-10-2005, 19:43	#8 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,637	Hi Pete - it's difficult to comment without knowing more. Is it application by letter, form? Is there a job description, person spec? What type of company - corporate, local sole trader etc, etc. If it's on letter alone and I assume it is, then you need to put in as much as possible as to why you can - do the job better than anybody else - want the job more than anybody else before your letter gets boring - difficult I know. I have spent a lifetime interviewing and employing people and as a general letter it's fine but nothing really stands out. But...I've never interviewed a prospective photographer before so as I said....difficult to comment. Can you post the ad or job details? No perhaps not - someone else might go for it. My only specific criticism of your letter is the "I don't mind relocating...." This suggests to me a very slight negative in there. The fact that you are applying says that you will relocate. As I've said it's a good general letter, tells me about what you think but not your ability as a photographer - but I would imagine your portfolio would do that. HTH or gives some room for thought. Good luck with the application regards

09-10-2005, 20:00	#12 (permalink)
milou Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Southampton Posts: 583	Henri Cartier-Bresson's ability is right - the 's is belonging to. And there's an "r" in his surname.

09-10-2005, 20:32	#14 (permalink)
mfwild13 Getting Comfy Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Leamington Spa Posts: 193	With reference to your CV. I personally think the different font sizes for the title and your name are either the wrong way around or preferably should be the same with maybe a slight emphasis on your name through brightness, subtle colouration (maybe the same as the graphic - may make sense to make it an image to ensure it always looks right). I would call Photoshop is an application rather than a program. 'About you' section needs to be a sales pitch rather than a statement of fact. Include something about being able to work as part of a team as well as on your own. Motivated/self starter etc etc. The next section should be key achievements or maybe move up the photography experience to here and rename Professional Phototgraphy Experience or similar. Although not relevant to the role, you should include some employment history (assuming you have some) as it shows you are reliable, able to hold down a job etc. I personally think that references should only be included at this stage if the names are widely recognisable ie name dropping. Otherwise leave them out until asked. Do you think the sample images adequately show the range of your capabilities or will you tailor them depending on the role applied for? I think the quantity chosen is correct though. Generally I like the overall style, clear, easy to read, relatively brief. You just need to sell yourself a bit more e.g. well versed in Photoshop should be very experienced in Photoshop or something similar. Good luck Mark

09-10-2005, 20:51	#16 (permalink)
CT Feet under the table Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Mids UK Posts: 3,500	What I admire most about Ansel Adams is his ability to create fantastic landscapes using darkroom techniques. Pete, I'd rephrase this mate. What Adams is most remembered for is his invention of The Zone Metering System. It's incredibly difficult to grasp and to put into operation, but Adams argued that if you correctly identified a particular tone in a scene as it would appear in monochrome, and correctly exposed for it - all other tones would automatically be correctly exposed. He was a fanatic for correct exposure, hence the reason he devised his system. The truth is that despite all his efforts, many of his finest shots owe as much to darkroom manipulation as they do to his metering system, so you're not wrong, but if you're going to mention Adams at all, I wouldn't put more emphasis on the darkroom than on his metering system, which many people tend to think was infallible, when of course - it wasn't.

09-10-2005, 21:06	#17 (permalink)
petemc Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 548	Quote: