Do You Make these Résumé Cover Letters Mistakes?
I was doing some research recently on résumé cover letters and came across this very interesting interview with a leading business Professor at Stetson University who commented that the job of your résumé cover letter is of vital importance.
Here’s an example of what not to do…..
Chicago - Writing a cover letter like this immediately sinks your chance of success:
To Whom It May Concern:
I saw your ad, and I’d like to apply for the job.
I’ve got lots of experience, and I’m well educated, too. The money seems low for someone of my high qualifications, but I’m sure we can work something out.
Attached is my (impressive) résumé. Give it a look and then give me a call!
Your Friend and Future Colleague,
Freddy M. Jay
One of the big problems in the example above is that the applicant seems to have a big opinion of himself but really offers nothing about his qualifications or experience to the reader whose job it is to decide whether to interview him in the first place.
The person in the letter certainly has a good ego but is not really showing confidence. These types of letters actually have the reverse effect of helping him to get the job. So, basically this is pretty much worthless and has resulted in a waste of time for everyone involved in reading it.
So, what should he have done.
Here are some of the ingredients of a good résumé cover letter. It is always addressed to a specific person, explains why you’re writing, tells the reader why you’re qualified for the job, directs the reader to your attached résumé and states that you will follow up on the letter.
You should never forget to thank the person for reading your letter.
“The point of a résumé cover letter is to get the hiring manager person to turn page and look at your résumé,” says Randall Hansen, a professor of business at Stetson University in Deland, Fla. “Hopefully, that will get you an interview. Keep the cover letter to about two-thirds of a page. Some cover letters are two pages long, giving mini-autobiography that no one will read.”
There is not just one approach only for writing your résumé cover letter. You must personalize each letter and adapt it to the job offered. Sending out the same résumé cover letter to everyone will not result in success.
If you’d like to get your cover letter done in super quick time and formatted properly, this site has some helpful information.
