Major Cover Letter Blunders To Avoid

9. Desperation: In your cover letter, you should sound determined and positive. Desperate tones will not beget you a positive response. While the companies appreciate and welcome the enthusiasm, they may be turned off by a desperate plea for employment. However, a fine line often separates the two, so the best advice would be to follow your instincts. But, the blunders should be avoided, like "I am desperately eager to start, as I have been out of work for six months, and have been looking for a new job," "Please call today! I'll be waiting by the phone," "I really, really need this job to pay off children's school fees and other house expenses, as I am pretty low on budget." In one letter, the candidate even dramatically enlarged the type of this closing statement, "I am very badly in need of money!" Such desperate pleas can only take you one way - to the downward slide. Be positive and use positive words in your cover letter. Express optimism.

10. Confessed shortcomings: Some job seekers inadvertently attract attention to their weaknesses in their cover letters. This is a serious mistake with a potential chance of getting disqualified your selection at the earliest stage. It is so because the purpose of the cover letter should be to highlight in brief and concise form your strengths, rather than dwelling on your shortcomings. Some statements like the following ones are better to be excluded from the cover letter. A look at them will tell you why! "Though I have no experience in the sales or marketing in any previous organization, I am sure interested in Brand management" and "I may not be well qualified for this position but it has always been my dream to work in the publishing field." Instead, concentrate on your strengths, focusing why they should select you for your qualifications, valuable skills, related experiences.

11. Missing resume: Just check that you have enclosed all the supporting documents mentioned in the cover letter. On numerous occasions, people send their cover letters and forget to send their resumes. Outs of world claims have been made but no supporting documents have been enclosed along with the resumes. Writing samples have been promised but not delivered. Not only is this a disappointment, but a fatal oversight. No employer is going to take the time to remind you of your mistake; he or she has already moved on to the next application. There is no next chance here, so you don't have the chance to correct.

12. Misrepresentation: Never ever misrepresent yourself at any stage of Job search. In many companies, false information submitted in the cover letter or the accompanying resume would become the grounds for your dismissal as soon as the inaccuracy is discovered. Stick to facts. You have nothing to hide and everything is fair. You should want to win fair and square. You are selling yours skills and accomplishments in your cover letter. If you have achieved something, say so, and put it in the best possible light. You have earned it, and so be proud of it. Modesty is out. Take pride in your achievements. Don't hold back or be modest - no one else will. At the same time, avoid hyperbole. However, don't exaggerate to the point of misrepresentation. A few examples will help: "In March, I graduated with honors from AIM, Headband. In the course of my studies, I played two varsity sports, captained both teams while concurrently holding five jobs." Another example: "Since the beginning of my career four years ago, I have won hundreds of competitions and awards, and am considered by many to be the best CA in North India."

13. Demanding statements: While composing the cover letter, be clear that it is to highlight in succinct form what you can do for the company rather than penning down your expectations from the company. Say something positive like "I am confident that given a chance, I would be able to make a substantial contribution to the company leveraging my skills and experiences." Don't mention something like, "I am looking for a unique opportunity in which I will be adequately challenged and compensated." It itself is true that you are applying to the company since you find the job challenging, otherwise you wouldn't be applying for a boring job. Also, since you are requesting an employer's consideration for the position he is offering, so your letter should avoid any personal preferences, biases or demands. Smart statements such as "It would be a really smart idea for you to hire me" or statements that are proactive without any reason "Let's meet next Wednesday at 4:00 p.m., and then we will discuss the job you will offer me" often put the potential employer on the defensive. Job candidates' demands are rarely met with an enthusiastic response.

Previous Page                                                                                 Contd..Next page