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Many people looking for jobs destroy their resumes by accompanying them with halfhearted or downright terrible cover letters.
While some employers do not reading cover letters, many do. And, they will quickly eliminate you if you make cover letter mistakes.
Using the Wrong Cover Letter Format
Be sure your cover letter uses a standard business-letter format. It should include the date, the recipient's mailing address and your address.
Making It All About You
It may seem counterintuitive, but your cover letter, like your resume, should be about the employer as much as it is about you. Yes, you need to tell the employer about yourself, but do so in the context of the employer's needs and the specified job requirements.
Not Proofing for Typos and Grammatical Errors
Employers tend to view typos and grammatical errors as evidence of your carelessness and inability to write. Proofread every letter you send. Get additional cover letter help by asking a friend who knows good writing double-check your letter for you.
Making Unsupported Claims
Without evidence, it is an empty boast. Give some examples for each claim you make. Employers need proof.
Writing a Novel
A good cover letter should be no longer than one page.
Employers are deluged with resumes and cover letters, and their time is scarce. Make sure your cover letter has three or four concise but convincing paragraphs that are easy to read. If your competitor's letter rambles on for two pages, guess which candidate the employer will prefer.
Using the Same Cover Letter for Every Job and Company
It is time-consuming but worthwhile to customize each cover letter for the specific job and company.
Employers see so many cover letters that it is easy for them to tell when you are using a one size fits all approach. If you have not addressed their company's specific concerns, they will conclude you do not care about this particular job.
Not Sending a Real Cover Letter
Some job seekers at all levels do not bother sending a cover letter with their resume. Others type up a one or two-sentence "here's my resume" cover letter, while others attach handwritten letters or sticky notes.
There is no gray area here: You must include a well-written, neatly formatted cover letter with every resume you send. If you do not, you will not be considered for the job. |
