Judy Said:

Rejoining the army, how long should it take for Glasgow to respond?

We Answered:

I was in the same boat as you ten years ago and it took me six months! I have also worked as a recruiter in an ACIO and I have seen it take over nine months in some cases. keep in touch with your careers office, they won't sit on any news that they get coz its not in their interest to keep you on the streets. hang in there pal!

Brent Said:

What do you think of this cover letter for a job in a car dealership?

We Answered:

Overall, the letter looks quite good. No obvious errors in spelling and grammar.

I would mention how you came across the post. I know you mentioned that you saw it on their website, but how?

As a small business owner, I always want to know what has worked, and what has not, when it comes to my advertising budget. How did you make your way to the website? Did it appear on a Google Search? Job Centre Ad? On the side of a bus?

All of these things cost me, a business owner, money. Just saying that you saw it on my website doesn't help me decide how I should advertise in the future.

It may not help you get the job, but it does make a difference to me as an employer, and if you've helped me off the bat, I'm more likely to like you.

As for mentioning the car, it really depends on the type of company. If they are a large, national chain, like CarCraft, it probably isn't going to make much of a difference, as they will have a HR department who have maybe never visited that particular branch. If, however, it is a more independent sort of dealership, then personal touches CAN make a difference.

I would not just throw it out there, as it's own paragraph, but if you can integrate it, I wouldn't recommend against it.

For example, perhaps you could start something like:

Dear Sir / Madam

Re: Vacancy for Pre Booking Service Agent

Please find enclosed a completed application for the above post, which was listed at Winchestertonville Central Job Centre, and posted on your website.

I am interested in working for your business, and feel that my skill set complements your business needs very well. I first became aware of your company after a very pleasant experience purchasing a 1985 Yugo GV from your dealership. Your staff were exemplary, and when I noticed that this position had become available, I felt that your company was exactly the type of business I wanted to work for.

Or something like that.

Yes, it's a little twee. Yes, it's pandering, but who cares... As an independent business owner, I love being flattered.

Like I said, it's not going to do much on a multi-national, and may, in fact, hurt your chances, but, personality, and getting the right people, is very important to SME sized businesses, and my immediate feeling was that your letter lacked a little of that.