A look at the Biggest Mistakes Made when Writing Cover Letters
In a time where unemployment is on the rise and competition is fierce, being on top of your game and producing a well-written cover letter has never been more important. Few people give the attention and care that is due to their cover letter, not realizing that it is perhaps one of the most important parts of any application and is, in effect, your first impression for an employer. It’s time to reveal some of the biggest mistakes made when writing cover letters and discover how we can overcome them.
Essay-sized cover letters
The rule of thumb when writing cover letters is to keep it straight to the point and no longer than a single page. With countless competitors building a leaning tower of applications on a Hiring Managers desk, you’ll want to stand out with 3-4 short, persuasive paragraphs that catch the reader’s attention. Don’t be afraid to use bullet points to sell your main qualities and never ramble!
Being too generic
Too many applicants boast that they are “punctual” and “hard working individuals” with exemplary “social skills” that allow them to be “great team players”. Sound familiar? With a mountain of applications that all repeatedly say the same thing, you want to be the innovative superstar that stands out from the crowd.
Typos, repetition and grammatical oversights
Regardless of how much experience you have and how many outstanding qualifications are tucked safely under your belt, a cover letter knee deep in typos will give your resume a one way ticket to the shredder. Be sure to proofread your document and be on the lookout for repeated information. Most word processors and web browsers will help seek and destroy pesky typos, but it’s always a good idea to have a friends eyes roam over your cover letter for grammatical mistakes such as there/their, your/you’re and its/it’s.
A lack of personalization
Nothing says generic like a “Dear Sir or Madam” introduction. This is the time to show your potential employer that you’ve done your homework and you’re ready to be interviewed. Research the company and find out the name of the individual you are writing to. A quick phone call can really score points in your favor and set you apart from the competition by demonstrating your enthusiasm and initiative.
Not being proactive
Taking control and telling the employer that you will follow up your application with a phone call will validate your can-do attitude and make you much more desirable. Most applicants tend to make the mistake of concluding their cover letter with the done-to-death “I hope to hear from you soon” phrase. Whilst it is pleasant and sometimes effective, going one step further will ensure you make your mark on the company.
Copy and paste cover letters
It’s no secret that job hunting is both time consuming and repetitive. It can also be disheartening to receive that dreaded “we’ll keep your resume on file” response several times in a row. Unfortunately, using the rinse and repeat technique is one of the biggest mistakes out there and can easily be spotted from a mile away. Be sure to address the specific requirements mentioned in the job posting and prove that you took the time to read through it.
