Avoiding the Common Cover Letter Mistakes

A Cover Letter Should Never Be Generic

Too many people take the lazy way out and write the same cover letter for every company they send their application to. This will be obvious to anyone reading the letter and instead of giving you attention; they will figure that they have no time to spend on you since you had no time to spend specifically on them. Instead, do the research to figure out who is going to be reading your resume and write a cover letter directly to them. This indicates that you have the work ethic to do your research and know the facts before you take action, which will give a positive image.

Also take the time to make your cover letter uniquely different from your resume. Don't simply restate all of your accomplishments and skills. Instead, apply your knowledge of the position that you are applying for and demonstrate how your skills will be beneficial in that position. This could help you make a lasting impression to the point where the interviewer will want to call you in to get to know you a little better. A unique and informative cover letter will take you a long way along the path toward getting the job.

Be Businesslike, Yet Personal

Your cover letter is a perfect opportunity to show some of your personality, which is something that a flat out resume will lack. When you craft your cover letter in a way that will show the knowledge you have and the way that you will apply it, you can showcase your creativity and work ethic, two major qualities which every company is looking for in their employees. Make sure that you let a little bit of yourself come through in your cover letter, as this will give you an opportunity to make an impression that so many other applicants will not.

This does not mean, though, that you should ignore business customs and make a cover letter entirely personal. You want to keep the subject business related and show that you are professional as well. Do not make the cover letter too long and do not ignore standard customs of respect. You will want to show that you are going to be a good addition to the company and that you will fit in as part of the team without causing disruption. Keeping your cover letter professional, while still revealing a bit of your personality will help you make a strong impression, which will have a tremendous impact on the outcome of the interview.

Many people have attributed the success of landing a job to the fact that they wrote and delivered a strong cover letter. This cover letter could be the very first thing that a hiring company reads and therefore, could end up serving as the first impression you make. When you have an outstanding cover letter, your chances of being called back for an interview increase tremendously. It makes sense then that you should make every effort to ensure that your cover letter is superb. Avoiding the most common cover letter mistakes can put you immediately on a path to success.

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Topics : Cover Letter Mistakes. Source: goarticles.com