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Cover letters are a tricky beast. On one hand, they’re a great opportunity to show hiring managers why you’re the perfect candidate for their job posting. On the other hand, they’re often the weakest link in your application. There is nothing more disappointing than working on an awesome cover letter, only to have it be rejected because of something simple that you missed. Any competent hiring manager will see right past typos and grammatical errors (unless they are frequent or egregious). What they focus on most is whether or not your cover letter gives them insight as to why you would be a good fit for their company and position. If not, it often falls flat and gets tossed in the trash can. Stay away from this trap with these five tips before submitting your cover letter:
Double-check the job title and company name
It sounds like common sense, but you would be surprised how many people miss this. Double-check that you are applying to the correct company and position. Sometimes job postings will have similar names or job titles can vary from company to company. This can lead to confusion and a cover letter that is completely off-base. If you have any doubt as to whether or not you are applying to the right position, do not proceed. There is no point in spending time writing a cover letter and resume that will not be read. This will only frustrate you and the hiring manager you are trying to reach out to.
Double-check the job requirements
Are you sure you meet the requirements set out in the job posting? Many times, candidates will throw their hat in the ring without actually reading the job requirements. This is a huge mistake. If you are not a good fit for the position, you will likely be overlooked in favour of a candidate who does meet the requirements. If you cannot confidently say that you meet the requirements, do not apply for the job. It is a waste of your time, the hiring manager’s time, and the company’s money. If you are not sure if you meet the requirements, take some time to do more research into the job posting and requirements before applying. This is also a good time to make sure that your resume is up-to-date and includes all necessary information. Make sure that you are highlighting the skills, qualifications, and experiences that best match the job requirements.
Double-check your resume syncs up with your cover letter
One of the most common mistakes candidates make is trying to stuff everything about their work history into the cover letter. This is usually a bad idea. The cover letter should be short and sweet, not a rehash of your entire resume. Your resume should be used to highlight your most relevant and impressive qualifications, skills, and experiences. It should not, however, be an exact paragraph-by-paragraph rehash of what is on your resume.
Check your writing for style and diction
Is your cover letter written in the first or third person? Does it sound formal or conversational? Is your tone professional or is it cutesy or casual? Are your sentences structured correctly? Your cover letter should be a well-crafted, unique piece of writing that stands out from the rest. Your cover letter should be written to the specific hiring manager who is reading your application. Make sure that your cover letter is not a carbon copy of something you sent out to 10 other companies. Your cover letter should be error-free. This may sound obvious, but you would be surprised at how often it happens.
Bottom line
A cover letter is a great way to differentiate yourself from the competition. The trick is to make sure that hiring managers see that instead of getting lost in the shuffle. Follow these tips to avoid common cover letter pitfalls and take your application to the next level.
