Not Using Standard Business-Letter Format
The student's cover letter looked more like a cut-and-paste email than a
business letter. It had no recipient information, no return address and no date.
The letter screamed unprofessional.
Be sure your cover letter uses a standard business letter format. It should
include the date, the recipient's mailing address and your address.
It's Not All About You
It may seem counterintuitive, but your cover letter, like your resume, should
be about the employer as much as it's 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.
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. Have a friend who knows good writing
double-check it for you.
Unsupported Claims
Too many cover letters from college students and recent grads say the
applicant has "strong written and verbal communication skills." Without
evidence, it's an empty boast. Give some examples for each claim you make.
Employers need proof.
Writing a Novel
A 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
Employers see so many cover letters that it's easy for them to tell when
you're using a one-size-fits-all approach. If you haven't addressed their
company's specific concerns, they'll conclude you don't care about this
particular job.
It's time-consuming but worthwhile to
customize each letter for the specific job and company.
Not Sending a Real Cover Letter
Some job seekers -- college students, recent grads and even those with years
of work experience -- don't 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 don't, you won't be considered
for the job.
Avoid These 7 Killer Cover
Letter Mistakes
