How do I/should I address my current position being moved while applying for new jobs?
August 18, 2010 11:20 AM Subscribe
How do I/should I address my current position being moved while applying for new jobs?
The business that my current department does is being moved out of state and I will no longer have a job in October. I am in the process now of applying for positions outside of the company. Many of these positions are exactly what I currently do- should I be explaining somewhere (cover letter maybe?) that although I love and am successful in what I do, this is happening in my current company?
The business that my current department does is being moved out of state and I will no longer have a job in October. I am in the process now of applying for positions outside of the company. Many of these positions are exactly what I currently do- should I be explaining somewhere (cover letter maybe?) that although I love and am successful in what I do, this is happening in my current company?
Response by poster: I guess I have it in my head that I shouldn't be discussing my current employment in the cover letter. Not sure why it's there but, it is and that's how I have always written them.
posted by ridiculous at 11:26 AM on August 18, 2010
posted by ridiculous at 11:26 AM on August 18, 2010
I wouldn't put it on the cover letter either but I can't really give you a good reason. The best explanation I can offer is that on the cover letter I'd like to focus on the positive: what I can do, why I would be a good fit, rather than discuss my current issues. This may be an incorrect attitude.
posted by redyaky at 11:32 AM on August 18, 2010
posted by redyaky at 11:32 AM on August 18, 2010
I'd address it head on and explain why I'm looking. It makes you look both experienced and loyal.
"Although I love working at Consolidated Widgets, inc, and have received 7 straight years of glowing performance reviews, the company is consolidating operations and my position is moving out of state. I've elected to stay in this area, and that is why I'm excited to talk to you about the opportunity with Spacely Sprockets."
posted by jenkinsEar at 11:34 AM on August 18, 2010 [5 favorites]
"Although I love working at Consolidated Widgets, inc, and have received 7 straight years of glowing performance reviews, the company is consolidating operations and my position is moving out of state. I've elected to stay in this area, and that is why I'm excited to talk to you about the opportunity with Spacely Sprockets."
posted by jenkinsEar at 11:34 AM on August 18, 2010 [5 favorites]
There's no reason to bring it up. Someone will ask you in the initial phone screener anyway even if you do mention it. When I got laid off once i mentioned the layoff in the cover letter and not one person remembered it or ever saw it when I interviewed. Every single person still asked me why I was looking.
posted by micawber at 11:38 AM on August 18, 2010
posted by micawber at 11:38 AM on August 18, 2010
Best answer: No need to mention it in the cover letter. If you meet the requirements for the job (or are in the top x candidates for the job, experience/skills-level-wise), you'll probably get an interview, when you can explain it.
It's not like there's a problem with your reason for leaving, but you just want to be totally upbeat, forward-looking and confident in that first letter, and a mention of why you're leaving takes away from that.
posted by lunasol at 12:40 PM on August 18, 2010
It's not like there's a problem with your reason for leaving, but you just want to be totally upbeat, forward-looking and confident in that first letter, and a mention of why you're leaving takes away from that.
posted by lunasol at 12:40 PM on August 18, 2010
Response by poster: Thank you lunasol, this was my reasoning for not wanting to do it in the first place and you put into words what I could not.
posted by ridiculous at 12:52 PM on August 18, 2010
posted by ridiculous at 12:52 PM on August 18, 2010
You really want only want to work for a company that you want to work for, if that makes sense. A covering letter or cold call is much more powerful if you say "I want to work for your company because of X + Y + Z" rather than "I want to work for your company because I am getting laid off."
posted by KokuRyu at 1:20 PM on August 18, 2010
posted by KokuRyu at 1:20 PM on August 18, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 11:22 AM on August 18, 2010