Cover letters and résumés (part 1): Ways to botch your cover letter

Because there are too many cover letter and résumé writing tips to include in one article, I will devote a five-part series to this topic, addressing do’s, don’ts and the best and worst examples of each.

 

There are, of course, numerous common sense ways to botch your cover letter (i.e., typos, spelling and grammar errors, using a “cookie cutter” template and accidentally leaving in references to another organization, inconsistent formatting and forgetting to include something specifically requested in the job advertisement). But, the following are ways to ensure your cover letter lands in the “circular file” that you might not have heard before – or bear repeating.

 

1. Use an over-casual approach (i.e., emoticons, inappropriate e-mail addresses, etc.). “You’re not best buddies with the person reading your letter. Approach them with professionalism and respect,” said Margaret McDonald, president of McDonald Wordsmith Communications.

 

2. Indicate you know nothing about the organization. “Candidates sometimes don’t even take the time to substitute ‘your company’ with ‘Cottonwood Press,’” said Cheryl Thurston, owner and president of Cottonwood Press, Inc.

 

3. Mention going back to graduate school. “Employers don’t want candidates who will leave immediately after they’re fully trained,” said Zohar Adner, college and career coach for Stop Stressing Out.

 

4. Let your letter run longer than one page. “No one reads it, I promise,” said Beth W. VanDerbeck, president of The VanDerbeck Group.

 

5. Hand-write your cover letter. “When a hand-written cover letter is submitted, it may mean that the applicant does not know standard business procedures or perhaps does not have the willingness to do their best,” said Christine Richardson, M.Ed., NCC, director of the Career Services Office at Cazenovia College.