Common Cover Letter Errors You Continue to Commit
Crafting a unique cover letter for each job may be time-consuming, but it is essential to increase your chances of being selected for the position. The purpose of a cover letter is to demonstrate to HR that you possess the qualifications needed for that specific job.
A curriculum vitae and a cover letter are two distinct documents that should be approached in different ways.
Avoid discussing the reasons for leaving your previous job or being fired in the second paragraph of your cover letter. During an interview, the HR will inquire about these details, giving you the opportunity to clarify. However, it is not appropriate to do so in a cover letter.
Recruiters and employers don’t want to know why you left your previous jobs or can’t get along with your boss during the application process. They are interested in learning about your present circumstances and what you have planned for the future, as well as how you will benefit their organization.
Possessing multiple pages
The solution is to limit it to a single page. Emphasize your key qualifications for the job and what you can bring to the employer, and that’s essentially all you need to do. The fact is, you should not have a two or three-page cover letter unless you are including irrelevant information.
Consider the HR manager and the numerous job applications they need to review for just one position. Do they possess the time and freedom to quickly read through everything?
To you, an assumption or minor error may seem insignificant, but to a HR professional, it can be crucial.
To begin with, consider the serious errors in spelling and typos. Before sending your application, always make sure to read it again to ensure that you do not have any mistakes. Ask a friend to proofread your document because often we overlook our own errors.
Secondly, be mindful of what you are sending to the HR department. On how many occasions have you submitted a job application and then realized you sent it to the wrong company? It’s ridiculous, isn’t it? However, this can occur primarily due to consistently using the same cover letter for all jobs or simply making a careless error. Ensure that this does not occur in your future application as the damage cannot be undone.
Remember, your cover letter must always address the main concern of employers: “Why should I hire this individual?”