Five Cover Letter Myths to Avoid

Cover letters, not unlike resumes, are subject to many myths. Continuing this series of job-search myths, I delve into cover letters and the bad advice that could cost you in your job search.

1. You don't need a cover letter: It's not uncommon for job postings to either say a cover letter isn't necessary or to not mention a cover letter at all. Unless the posting specifically states "candidates submitting cover letters will not be considered" (and I have yet to see a job posting that says this), you should always submit a cover letter with your resume. Including a cover letter is a mark of professionalism, enabling you to stand out in ways that your resume won't allow.

2. No one reads cover letters: Not true. This isn't to say that every hiring manager/HR administrator reads them, but they sophisticated ones do. They want to go beyond the resume and learn more about the candidates motivations, interest, and how they present themselves outside of the bullet points. Your cover letter should compliment your resume, allowing you to express what would make you a strong candidate outside of the conventions of a resume.

3. It should mostly address your resume: If your cover letter is simply a summary of your resume, you are in trouble. Use the space in a cover letter to address why you are interested in the position and to address specific requirements in the position description that your skills, background, or character are particularly able to meet, or specific accomplishments that you believe would translate into success in your position.

4. It should be long: Cover letters do not need to be epic in length. A strong cover letter can get the job done in 10-15 sentences (some even less). Stay focused on what excites you about the position or company and briefly summarize key strengths and successes in your professional background that address their needs. 

5. Be pushy: Some career experts recommend that candidates end their cover letters with a statement along the lines of "I will call you next week to arrange an interview." Not a good idea. Many candidates feel that a company's hiring should center around them, and statements like this indicate a "me first" mentality. Would you rather stand out by being aggressive or by what your background says about you? Rely on presenting yourself as the best candidate, not strong-arm tactics.  

Share your own cover letter myths or questions below!

Tips For Creating a Great Post Grad Cover Letter

Some potential employers require a cover letter, while others do not. As a post grad, you enter the tricky world of applying for jobs and don't always know what to do or what the potential employer wants. Creating a cover letter that wows them is one way to stand out. If the employer requires one, then you must send one in. If you don't send a cover letter, it shows the employer that you don't follow directions and is the number one way to get your resume from their desk to the trash. Even if the employer doesn't require a cover letter, sending one in is a great way to showcase your talents. Here are some tips on creating a cover letter that will impress anyone:

1. Be specific for each job you apply to. Do a little research to find out what this employer may want in an employee and what the job entails. Then evolve your cover letter to show your interest in the company. Share why you want to work for them, what qualities you have that they desperately need, and tailor it to the company. Take out any generic sirs or madams and make sure you put the company name and the name of who you're sending it to at the top.

2. Don't just copy and paste or blind copy one cover letter and resume to a bunch of job ads. Taking a generic cover letter from the Internet is a way to essentially give up the job to someone else that took the time to write a personalized, rockin' cover letter.

3. Keep it short and sweet. Give your best examples of work and qualities that qualify you for the job. Express your interest in the company and the job quickly. Potential employers simply don't have the time to read pages of cover letters and resumes. Keeping it short and to the point will get it read.

4. Follow instructions! Often potential employers may want you to answer specific questions in a cover letter when applying. Be sure to answer these questions in a short and passionate way. For example, they may ask your top three skills. A great answer would be relevant to the job, share your passion, and be to the point.

5. Be professional and spell check! Spelling or grammatical errors will get your cover letter tossed no matter what job you're applying to. Be sure the document is well formatted and easy to read too.

6. Don't forget to give your contact information at the end of the cover letter! If they have no way to contact you, you surely won't get the interview.

Whether it is the daunting task of writing your first cover letter or you've written a hundred, keep these six things in mind and you'll write an amazing cover letter sure to wow any potential employer.

The Top 10 Cover Letter Mistakes

The cover letter can be almost as daunting as the resume (if not more so). Most human resources professionals say you should always send a cover letter with your resume. However, many of them admit to not reading them. However, the hiring manager (your potential boss) is often the most likely reader of the cover letter. Therefore, you want to make sure your cover letter is done correctly. Here are some mistakes to avoid:

Don’t overuse the word “I”. The cover letter should be focused on how you can benefit the employer, not on your life story. Minimizing the word “I” demonstrates your ability to be a team player.

Don’t use a weak opening. Your opening must grab the reader’s attention and not let go. Here are two examples:

WEAK: Please consider me for the sales manager position.
STRONG: If you are seeking a goal-oriented manager who can motivate a team to consistently exceed goals by as much 30%, then I am confident in my ability to fill the sales manager position with your company.

Don’t make it too long. Your cover letter should never exceed one page. Keep it concise, compelling, and respectful of the reader’s time.

Don’t regurgitate your resume. Think of your cover letter as an introduction to your resume. The resume provides the facts. Repeating the resume word for word will dull the impact of the accomplishments on the resume

Don’t be vague. Ensure that every fact and skill included specifically supports the position you are applying for. Always reference the job for which you are applying and where you learned of the job.

Don’t forget to customize. Don’t forget to update company information, contact name, date, etc. You don’t want the employer to know you are using the same letter for each job posting.

Don’t be passive. Take your future into your own hands. When possible, let the employer know when and how you will follow up: “I will follow up with you in the next week to answer any questions you may have. In the meantime you may reach me at 555.111.1111.” If you don’t have contact info: “I look forward to the opportunity to meet in person so that we may further discuss how my skills, knowledge, and experience will allow me to bring benefits to your organization.”

Don’t be rude. Always thank the reader for their time and consideration.

Don’t forget to sign the letter. Personalize each letter with your signature. This is proper business etiquette and shows attention to detail. When sending an e-mail, a signature is not necessary. However, you can scan your signature and include it on the cover letter for a personal touch.

Don’t be arrogant. Stating your skills and the benefits you bring to an employer is not bragging, you are only telling the facts. It is when we deem ourselves the “best ever” or act as though an employer can not live without us that we are seen as arrogant.