A cover letter is a key part of any job application. As annoying as they might seem, they’re crucial for showing off your soft skills and your passion for the position. You def don’t want to submit a bad cover letter during your job search!
Your cover letter is the bridge between the job description and your resume. Its purpose is to show that the experiences on your resume have prepared you to succeed in their job.
Since they’re so important, be sure you avoid these 5 cover letter mistakes!
Going over one page
Unlike a resume, your cover letter has to be one page. One of the biggest cover letter mistakes is treating it like an essay. Employers aren’t looking for your essay writing skills here!
If you’re having trouble saving space on your cover letter, you can make the margins .5” or use size 11 font (minimum). You can also explore different fonts to find a smaller one.
Also, read and reread your cover letter to spot things that are repetitive or unnecessary. You want to use examples that show off how great YOU are, so cut anything not serving that purpose!
If you’re still having trouble getting it down to one page, keep reading for more tips to save space and avoid having a bad cover letter!
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Reusing a cover letter
It’s true: you have to write a custom cover letter for every job you apply for. You can’t just change the position title and address on one and send it to another company. They’ll most likely notice you did. Even if they don’t, your cover letter won’t make as big of an impact.
Instead, it’s important to customize your cover letter to the position description. You can do this by expanding on 1 or 2 of your most related experiences using language from the job description.
So, if they say they’re looking for an “organized, thoughtful, team player,” then tell a story from work when you demonstrated those skills.
By customizing your cover letter, you show employers you took the time to analyze what they want in an employee. This is another great way to show you’re committed and passionate about their position.
Still confused about why you even need a cover letter? Check out The Real Purpose of a Cover Letter (& Why They’re So Important!)
Using your resume
This is one of the biggest cover letter mistakes I saw from clients. Essentially, their cover letter was a resume in sentences. That is def a bad cover letter move!
Instead of using your cover letter to repeat your resume, be strategic by giving them more information about you as an employee.
Your cover letter tells them your passion for the position and uses specific examples to show your skills.
Don’t repeat what’s on your resume in your cover letter- instead, go deeper into your most impressive 1 or 2 experiences!
80% OF JOBS ARE ON THE HIDDEN MARKET—
LEARN HOW TO FIND THEM IN THIS FREE WORKSHOP
Are online job apps making your career sour? The key to candy coating your career is networking!
In this FREE workshop, I’ll teach you how to ditch your resume & grow the best resource you have as a job seeker: your network!
Focusing on you
Here’s another common cover letter mistake: focusing on yourself.
Now, you might be thinking- “Huh? You’ve been talking about how I have to show myself off in my cover letter, but now I can’t focus on myself?!” And that would be… kind of correct!
What I mean is: your cover letter shouldn’t focus on how much the job will help your career or teach you things. They, honestly, don’t care (right now). Once you’re hired, they’ll care about your career and development, but right now they want to know how you will help them.
Avoid having a bad cover letter by focusing on how your experiences have prepared you to be an excellent employee at their company- not how their job will boost your career.
Still confused about actually writing your cover letter? I gotchu! Check out How to Write a Stellar Cover Letter
Starting all sentences with “I”
Finally, one of the most common cover letter mistakes is starting every sentence with the word “I.” Yes, your cover letter is about your experiences, but that doesn’t mean the writing should be repetitive.
To check the writing and tone of your cover letter, read it out loud to yourself or a buddy and hear how it sounds. This will help you catch any classic mistakes- especially overusing “I.” You can also use a service like Grammarly to help you proofread!
Avoid having a bad cover letter by steering clear of these 5 cover letter mistakes. Don’t go over one page, reuse cover letters, turn your resume into sentences, focus on what you will get, or start each sentence with “I.” This way, your cover letter will help YOU stand out!
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