Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid?

We have already discuss how important your cover letter is in our previous article. It's time to go through the common mistakes to avoid in writing your cover letter and few more tips to get noticed by the recruiter and hiring manager.

Badly written, poor spelling etc.,

Your must ensure that your cover letter is grammatically correct and free from mistakes. This means no spelling mistakes, no incorrect use of language and punctuations and no shortening of words. Make sure you get the person’s name right and make sure you spell the company name correctly.

Template cover letters

A cover letter is your chance to really sell yourself. Do not just copy and paste the standard cover letter that you use for every job application. Cover letters like these make your application boring and the same as every other candidate. Take the time and effort to write an original honest and unique cover letter for each job you apply for.

Consistency

It is important that what you say in your cover letter matches what you have written in your resume. 

Do not lie on your cover letter or mention skills or experience which are missing from your resume.

Don’t undersell yourself

You are writing a cover letter to help you get a job! It is important that you only include relevant and positive information about yourself. Do not undersell your skills and experience. If you do that why would they call you?

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Writing An Outstanding Cover Letter

Cover letters are the first chance you have to impress a potential employer. Don't look at them as a support to your CV but rather see it as an opportunity for you to stand out from the rest of the applicants and persuade the recruiter to put you through to the next round of the screening process. It should be used to state the skills and experiences you have that are directly related to the specific job you are applying to. 

If you want it to be read and make an impact then make it personal and don’t use a standard template found on the internet. You may look at samples to give you an idea of what to write but you should not copy the whole content. 

What should I put in my cover letter? 

• State which job you are applying for, companies usually have more than one open position at a time! If applying via email, make sure you put the job title you are applying in the subject line. 
• Say why you are applying for that specific role, is it time for a career move etc. 
• Say clearly what it is that makes you suited to the role, is it your experience, skills etc. If so then what skills and experience? 
• Give the recruiter or hiring manager a reason to call you in for an interview!

How should I structure a cover letter? In the order that you should write them, you need; 

• To write an opening line (e.g. Dear Sir, Dear Mr XXXXX). It’s polite and professional.
• To name the position you are applying for and how you heard about the job.
• A brief sentence stating where you currently work, how much experience you have and what education you have attained.
• A short paragraph detailing precisely why you are suitable for the role. This section is where you really sell yourself to the employer.
• To request a meeting or interview, and say you are available at their convenience and don’t forget to include your contact details.
• Always include a final line thanking them or similar (e.g. Best wishes, Kindest regards, Salutations, etc.).

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