Cover Letter: Room for Improvement

Every application starts with a strong cover letter, a kind of business card to open doors. A cover letter follows set rules, but also surprises a little preferably. The task is not easy, especially when you are not lucky enough to have a knack for writing. Some cover letters stand out because they deviate greatly from the norm. Discover the things to (not) do with these unintentionally funny examples.

Example 1
Good morning sir,
How are you? Well, I hope.
I am very interested in the vacant position you mentioned on your website. I am sure you will reward my interest by hiring me for this position.

Tips:
An informal address is out of place in this context, as are questions asking for news from an HR manager you don't even know. Stay professional and polite.
Showing interest is not enough to get hired. Ask yourself what you have to offer the company. Are you perfectly bilingual or a whiz with numbers? Don't hesitate to mention it in your cover letter.

Example 2
Dear Madam, Dear Sir,
Following your announcement, I am sending you my application. Having a university degree, I am the most suitable person to fill this position. Please let me know when you will invite me for an interview. I look forward to your reply.

Tips:
Give a reference when you respond to a job offer: the person reading the cover letter immediately knows what it's about.
This person is convinced that they are the most suitable person to fill this position because they hold a university degree. They are far from the only one! You can certainly sell yourself, but then refer to training or experience relevant to the position in question.

Example 3:
Dear Sir,
My father knows you well and encouraged me to apply for this position. He will contact you soon. Let me know when we will meet for the job interview.

Tips:
You can very well mention a reference person in your application, but in this case, remain professional. The fact that your father is a vague acquaintance of your potential employer has little to do with it; it is unnecessary to mention it in your cover letter.
Raising the question of the job interview is a good idea, but the decision to invite you or not to an interview is up to the personnel manager, not yours.

Example 4
Most Honorable Sir,
With all my heart, thank you for your job offer published in the newspaper. I am truly delighted to be able to respond to this announcement. I am an engineer by training. You will find details of my training and experience in my CV. I possess, in my opinion, all the required experience and qualifications. I therefore kindly ask you to consider my application.

Tips:
A formal language certainly has its place in an application, but don't overdo it with overly pompous or archaic expressions. "Most Honorable" is no longer of our time, and one does not thank for a job offer in the newspaper.
Politeness is a must, but it is better to be direct in your expressions. "In my opinion" weakens what you want to say. Don't hesitate, for example, to write: "my experience fits perfectly with this position."


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Posted online June 3, 2014.