Eight Common Cover Letter Mistakes

Answer 1

A good cover letter can make or break your application. However, if you make sure to follow some certain pieces of advice to avoid common cover letter mistakes, you can greatly increase your chance of getting hired.

1. Your Cover Letter is Too Impersonal

One smart tip is to find out exactly who will be reading your cover letter. If you address the letter to this person, it may show you have extra initiative and really care about the company.

2. There Is No Hook

You should make sure your cover letter captures the reader’s attention immediately. It shouldn’t be too shocking or surprising. However, if you start with impressive details about yourself that are close to what you think the employer is looking for, this may help a lot.

3. It’s the Wrong Length

Making your cover letter too long or too short is another common mistake. As a general rule, cover letters sent by mail or fax should be somewhere between three to six paragraphs. If it is sent by e-mail, only two paragraphs may suffice.

4. The Cover Letter Is Very Generic

You should never send out a form cover letter. You should always tailor it to the company and position you are applying for.

5. It Recycles Your Resume

Instead, you should use the cover letter as an opportunity to highlight parts of your background that aren’t covered in the resume.

6. Your Attempts at Humor Failed

You may think you are really witty, but sometimes little jokes in a cover letter can come off as obnoxious or unprofessional. Try to keep a professional tone in your letter to let the reader know you are serious about the position

7. It’s Too Humble

Being humble is an admirable trait. However, don’t be shy about trying to sell your better qualities to the company. Don’t over exaggerate, but you should certainly do a little selling.

8. It Contains Mistakes

The biggest mistake anyone can make when writing a cover letter is not proofreading it to find typos and grammar mistakes. If you aren’t careful with this simple task, no employer is going to trust you with a position at that company.