Cover Letter: The Most Common Mistakes
1 April 2014
Read by 7193 persons
1. Addressing a female personnel manager using 'Mr.' or vice versa
This may seem trivial, but it is a mistake that does occur! It is therefore preferable to always address the contact person personally instead of starting the cover letter or email with "Mr./Madam". But above all, don't make a mistake! If the person's first name does not allow you to know for sure whether it is a man or a woman, don't take any risks and use a general formula in your cover letter.
2. Not mentioning the position you are applying for and where you saw it
If recruiters have to process applications for different positions, it is preferable that you clearly indicate in your cover letter the position you are applying for. If you give no details on this subject, the recruiter will have to search for this information themselves, and this will create some confusion. Companies often receive all applications for their various vacancies at a single email address. This is why it is important to be clear! Don't forget to indicate the job title in the subject of your email. Indicate in the text of the letter where you found the job offer.
3. Not selling yourself in your cover letter
Your resume should give an overview of your career and studies, while your cover letter should explain why you are the best candidate. If you don't do this and simply repeat the elements contained in your resume, it will undoubtedly be a missed opportunity! Remind elements of your resume in your cover letter and indicate why they make you the ideal candidate. Don't forget to highlight your enthusiasm.
4. Not including your contact details in the cover letter
If a recruiter finds your application interesting, he/she must be able to contact you immediately. It is therefore important to clearly indicate your contact details in your cover letter (email) so that the recruiter does not have to look for them. You may also mention when you are most easily reachable.
5. Not reading the job description correctly
If, in your cover letter, you refer to the job offer, make sure you have read it correctly and have not misinterpreted it. For example, don't write that you are the ideal candidate because you know how to work in a team if there is absolutely no mention of this in the job offer. You may not have to work in a team at all, and in that case, your argument will not be truly convincing.
6. Lying about your skills or experience
It is normal that you want to make the best possible impression on the recruiter, but you must not lie! If you do not have a skill or quality that is important for the position, it is still preferable not to mention it in your cover letter than to lie. Lies will be discovered anyway, so they should be avoided!
7. And finally: don't leave any spelling mistakes in your cover letter
Don't just reread your cover letter once or twice, but reread it ten times if necessary. Spelling mistakes leave a very bad impression, and it is essential that you avoid them! Use your computer's spell checker for this. If you don't have a good command of the language, ask someone else to reread your cover letter, because a spell checker doesn't detect all errors.
Stepstone.be
Posted on April 1, 2014.
