The pressure is on!
The spotlight is flashing, the competition is tough, and your potential hiring managers are judging you hysterically.
No, it’s not an open-mic event at your office, we are just discussing the tension that one feels whenever they have to write a cover letter for themselves. Ouch!
Getting your hiring managers compelled from the get-go is vital if you want to land your dream job that you worked so hard for. It is not as easy as it seems, but hey! Don’t lose your hopes just now, because it is totally doable.
At times, coming up with creative work feels like fishing in a long dried-up well. And for times like these, it lends a helping hand to have new formulas up your sleeve while knowing the things to avoid to jumpstart the process.
This is why, we have written this blog to help you determine what mistakes to avoid the next time you use your creative brain to write a cover letter.
So, let us dig in!
Common Mistakes That Must Be Avoided In Cover Letter At All Costs
Using The Same Cover Letter Every Time:
A lot of people use pre-made templates and tailor them as per their requirements. We agree that it is a smart move, as these people get access to unique and catchy templates that make them stand out. However, one thing that they fail to address is that the content of the cover letter must be changed to sound relevant to the recruiters. If you don’t know how to make a cover letter catchy, then sweat not, because we have an amazing idea. Really, is that so?
Definitely, it is! You can now hire any online cover letter writing service New Zealand to help you tailor the most eye-striking and compelling application.
- What To Do:
Your cover letter must highlight the specific requirements and needs of the position and organization in which you are interested in applying. This is why, it needs to be adjusted each time you submit it for a new job role.
Bragging Too Much About Yourself:
Listen once and for all, no one likes braggers, this includes the hiring managers as well! So, if you are a person who loves to talk about themselves, now is not the time mate. Now, you might think that a cover letter is all about oneself. How can we not talk about ourselves in it?
Well, we are not suggesting that you talk about your pets in your letter, we encourage you to talk about yourself, but to a certain limit. Because there is a thin line between confidence and egotism. If you brag a lot about yourself, your recruiters might take you as an ego-centric person. Do you understand the difference now?
- What To Do:
Write about yourself, but steer clear of making claims such as “I’m professional at using MS Office”. These declarations often make you sound like you are exaggerating your skills. How are you a professional? Did you train with MS Office monks for 2 years in Tibet? No? All right then.
Not Using The Right Format
Oftentimes, candidates fail to choose the right format for their cover letter. A fancy cover letter can be difficult for the recruiters to read. Keep in mind that you only get 3 seconds to grab their attention. So, it is natural to want your application to be unique, but being too wordy or artsy is not going to turn things in your favour, trust us!
- What To Do:
Use simple fonts to make your content easy to read. Avoid using too many graphics or colours to make your recruiter focus on your achievements. Additionally, you can also break long paragraphs into short and concise ones, to make it easier for them to skim through your application.
Forgetting To Proofread Before Submitting Your Cover Letter:
Proofreading is a must-to-follow step whenever you write something. If you forget to proofread your work before submitting it, it might highlight many of your slip-ups. You can even miss small details including improper use of punctuation, spelling or grammar mistakes, incorrect information, and much more. Now, we don’t want to make your 1st impression bad in front of our employer, do we? Of course not.
Today’s your lucky day because we are here with an idea. Hire any online CV editing service right now if you constantly forget to proofread your work. You can also seek their help if you are feeling too lazy to proofread it at all. These experts will make sure to provide you with an error-free letter that will make your recruiter become smitten with your cover letter. What an excellent idea!
- What To Do:
However, if you do not want to hire any services, you can proofread it on your own. It is not as spine-chilling as it sounds. All you have to do is read your work out loud to see if there is any mistake that needs to be addressed. Correct whatever requires to be corrected. And, keep repeating the process until you are fully content with your work. Easy, no?
Being Overly Friendly:
When your recruiters are going through your application, it gives them an insight into who are you as a person. This is why, being too personal or too friendly is a big no-no. A lot of nervous job seekers use jokes, or sarcasm to sound friendly.
But, trust us mate, it is only making your application look pathetic. Making use of fancy fonts, or coloured visuals is a big turn-off for hiring managers. So, steer clear of such things as they do not translate well on paper, especially in front of your employers.
- What To Do:
To match with the industry’s style and tone, we encourage you to do some research on them. Instead of starting your application with a friendly ‘Hey’ or ‘Hi’, use a professional tone and avoid using such informal language. Address your recruiter by their name and keep your distance from unnecessary jargon or use of any slang.
Final Verdict
By avoiding the above-mentioned mistakes we are sure you will tailor an amazing cover letter that will make your hiring managers go gaga over it and might get influenced enough to offer you the job immediately. Not only your application will be free from mistakes, but it will also make you stand out from the competition. So, what are you waiting for?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are common mistakes when writing a cover letter?
Below we have mentioned some common mistakes when writing a cover letter.
- Being too friendly or formal
- Using the same cover letter for every application
- Bragging too much
- Forgetting to proofread
What are the 3 main parts of the cover letter?
Ideally, a cover letter is based on 3 parts, which are listed below:
- A catchy Introduction
- A Detailed Body
- Precise Conclusion
What 5 things a cover letter must include?
Below we have listed 5 things a cover letter must include:
- Contact Person’s Name, Title, and Address
- Greetings and Salutations
- Appropriate Keywords
- Relevant Information About Yourself
- Date
What are the basic rules of writing a cover letter?
Cover letters are composed of a minimum of 3 to 4 paragraphs. These paragraphs must highlight your abilities, accomplishments, and skills. Moreover, keep in mind to keep your tone professional and conversational while relaying your enthusiasm for the company.
