Common Cover Letter Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

Cover letters are an essential marketing tool for the serious job seeker. It is the first point of contact for your potential employer so its needs to be effective and professional. Presentation, relevant content and dynamic copy are all key to the success of your application. However all your good work may be undone if you are not careful to avoid common errors that can detract from the impact of your cover letter.

There is no one sure-fire way to successfully appeal to an employer. You just never can be positive that what you are saying and how you're saying it will leave a lasting impression. You can be sure of one thing though, common errors will not only detract from your letter they will more than likely land your letter in the bin. These errors are easy to avoid if you put some serious time and effort into writing your cover letter. Make use of the vast resources available to you and ensure that you put your best foot forward whenever you address a potential employer.

There are a number of fundamental errors that are consistently made in the job search market. These errors can cost you interviews and jobs if you are not careful to avoid them. Your cover letter is an essential tool in your job search and you need to be aware of the power of its impact. Your letter needs to stand out and separate you from the competition but it should still follow the basic professional cover letter principals.

Common Cover Letter Mistakes - How to Avoid Them

• Spelling and typos - Let's start simple, this is one mistake you don't want to make. Errors of this nature will have a negative impact on your cover letter, no matter how good the content and copy is. Spelling mistakes tell your potential employer that you are careless and not really serious about the position. This is not an image you want to present so be meticulous. Use a program such as Word spelling and grammar check, double check it yourself and then have some one else re check. When you are reading content repeatedly your brain starts to skim read without you even knowing it, making it easy to miss small mistakes. This is why you should always have a fresh pair of eyes read over your letter. This is a fundamental error that many people make but it is simple to avoid if you take the time to get it right.

• Specifics - The use of standardized form cover letters is common for job seekers sending out their resumes. It is important to personalize your cover letter to show your interest, knowledge and connection with the company. Don't just send your cover letter and resume out with nothing but a change in name for each. Take the time to research the company and present specific information that is relevant to your employers.

• Information overload - Your cover letter is a unique opportunity to sell yourself it is not a summary of your resume. Job seekers often just relay the information in their resume and call it a cover letter. The information is already there so you don't need to repeat yourself. Keep your cover letter brief and to the point and include information that is not in your resume such as information relevant to the specific position.

• Your needs vs. company needs - A common cover letter mistake is outlining why you want or need the job. Employers are not really interested in your needs they are primarily interested in what you can do for them. A brief sentence on why you might want the job is acceptable but anything in further detail should be avoided.

• Design - Many job seekers feel the need to be creative with fonts and designs in order to stand out. In business, it is important to keep your cover letter professional. Use standard fonts and simple clean designs. If you want to be creative, do so with your copy.

• Addressing employers - Avoid `To whom it may concern' or `Dear sir'. Personalize your correspondence and address the person that will be considering your application. Be sure to get the spelling and title right.

• The little things - It is the little things that go a long way towards making or breaking your chances. Small errors such as spelling, typos, misspelled names, faded ink, smudges on the page, disjointed content, forgotten information (phone number is a common one) and over zealous creativity will hinder your opportunities. Present yourself professionally and avoid fundamental errors by putting in the time and effort.

Click here to go to the next cover letter article - The fundamentals of a dynamic cover letter

Click here to see the full list of cover letter articles.

Click here to see the full career article library.

Make More Money In A New Job With A Perfect Resume. Free Resume Critique. Free Samples.

Call Or E-mail Now To Start. You Will Be Delighted With The Results.

Professional-Resumes.com