Cover Letter Missteps 5 Things You Should Never Do

Cover Letter Missteps 5 Things You Should Never DoCover Letter Missteps 5 Things You Should Never DoTough competition necessitates that applicants take advantage of every opportunity possible to stand out from the crowd. Hiring managers often form their first impression of a candidate based things like the resume or a titelblatt letter, so taking these documents seriously can mean the difference between an interview and the rejection pile.The titelseite letter in particular can be a tricky thing to write because its often less structured than the resume- and there are fewer hard rules about the dos and donts. But were here to help Below are some common cover letter missteps you wont want to make.Avoid cover letter missteps by noting these five things you should never do1. Never settle for generic.Dont send a cover letter just for the sake of including one- make your words count Consider the cover letter a prime opportunity to sell yourself. The last thing you want to come off as is u ninspired or lazy. Use keywords from the job posting to paint a vivid picture of why youre the perfect candidate for this position, not just any old job. Yes, such individualization takes time, but remember your goal is to land a great new role, not to see how many applications you can complete.2. Never start your letter with To Whom It May Concern or Dear Sir.On a similar note, realize that the lack of a proper salutation can get your interaction with a prospective employer off on the wrong foot.The biggest misstep I find people make is not addressing the cover letter to a real person, says Marcelle Yeager, president of Career Valet.It is almost always possible to find the name of a person who works in HR or who would be your potential boss by using LinkedIn or the company website. Personalization is so important in all of your communications, including in a cover letter.3. Never turn a letter into your life story.The preciousness of a hiring managers time cannot be stressed enough . Your letter needs to grab attention and provide information relevant to your candidacy, not read like a biography. Craft a one-page document that presents standout accomplishments or tells an interesting (and relevant) story. Make the employer want to know you better4. Never send off a letter without checking it over.Before other eyes see the letter, make certain the document gives the best impression possible. Demonstrate your communication skills and attention to detail by ensuring the followingConsistency of font (a danger when you cut and paste)Pleasing appearance (such as sufficient margins and a professional-looking font)All proper names correct (dont doom your application by putting in the wrong company name or recipient)Flawless spelling and grammar throughout (use spell-check, but also do a read-through)5. Never include a letter when instructed not to.Finally, remember that the prospective employers instructions take precedence. If a job posting specifically states not to include a cover letter, dont submit one. Some companies simply do not possess the manpower to read this extra material, while others feel they can adequately judge who to bring in for an interview based on the resume alone. Including an unwanted cover letter gives the impression that you either didnt read carefully or feel that youre above following directions.BROWSE COVER LETTER TIPS