Cover Letter Blunders & Pitfalls
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Staff Editor
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As you sit down to write your cover letter, do you ever stop and think, “Who the heck is going to read this?” You may believe that just because employers get hundreds of resumes per job posting that they tend to skip the cover letter part. That is just not true.
One Size Doesn’t Fit All
You’ve written this awesome cover letter and it’s taken you quite a long time to create your masterpiece. You’re tired and spent from all your hard work. When it comes time to get your information together for the next job, you change the “To” section of the cover letter and the job title that you’re applying for. Boom – done!
But hold on a second…
What you just did is a major faux-pas. How is Employer #2 going to feel when it’s obvious you didn’t write your cover letter just for him? What if there was something in there that didn’t relate to that particular job at all?
Before you throw up your hands in frustration, let me clarify: you do not need to completely re-write your entire cover letter for each and every one of the positions for which you apply. You just need to put forth a little extra effort to show the employers that they are not just one of many companies for which you are applying.
Oops! Forgot to Change the Company’s Name?
You’re applying to jobs online and you hit “Send” a split second before you realize you forgot to update the company’s name on your cover letter. It seems like it’s happened to everyone but it is a huge blunder that most likely takes you out of the running for that particular position. Not very encouraging, huh? The good part about it is that you’ll be extra careful applying for jobs from then on.
Is there a way to recover from this error? You could always follow up with a hardcopy of your resume package. By then, the hiring manager probably would have already forgotten about your little mistake. You can also wait a few days and apply on line again. With so many resumes, employers probably aren’t going to remember your original submission.
Not Highlighting Your most Important Achievements?
Many job seekers believe that if they have their achievements on their resume, why should they repeat themselves in their cover letter? Simple – you need to do everything you can to make that employer want to read your resume. If your cover letter doesn’t provide them with enough ‘proof’ that you’re a great candidate for the position, then there is a chance they won’t even make it to your resume.
Now I’m not saying that it’s best to repeat yourself verbatim. Be a little creative and reword those top three or four achievements or important requirements that you know the employer wants to see. These may be different with each job posting so customize appropriately.
There are many ways to make your cover letter grab an employer’s attention. Treat it as being as important as your resume in getting interviews. After all, it’s your cover letter’s job to make the hiring manager want to read your resume. A great resume needs a cover letter to pave the way for the job that you really want.
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Melissa Kennedy •Thanks for all of the great comments! It's so hard when you're desperate for a job and feel that your resume doesn't provide an accurate picture of who you are, what you're capable of and why they should care. In this case, you can make your pitch in the cover letter. -
Devang Parikh •I am in the same boat with over 14 years of experience, currently tring to find a job that suites my experience. I too have been either laid off or company has no funding, well I have a general cover letter and surely will take this advice and change the same. However now a day getting to an interview is harder than one can think. All I want is an interview.
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Leslie Rowan •I am an ace name generator and resourcer/ recruiter and have had my business for over 17 years.Cover letters are a big part of the picture and thanks for all your comments especially the one asking for the interview in the first sentence.
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Tom •Heather, thank you very much for the feedback. With over 20 years of management experience, I am certainly showing my age. I am 47 years old and in the last 10 years have held a number of executive positions. Unfortunately, I have been either laid-off from these positions or the company closed. I have been off for over a 1 1/2 and have no prospects at this time. My previous interviews focused on the "stop" "start" appearing on my resume. At the interview, I explained that I was laid-off from these positions without cause. The companies either restructured or basically ran out of money (start up.com). However, they seem to think that you did something wrong. Unfair! Actually, I have received a number of awards and commendations for my work. Recently, I spoke with an agency and they told me that Human Resources department and hiring agencies representatives are lazy and they do not want to spend very much time searching for candidates. Unbelievable! Anyone have any ideas? Oh, by the way, I have revamped my resume for the 5th time. Thanks for your input. Tom
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Debbie •This past June I graduated from a medical transcription course at the local community college. Even with a 92% average, when asked if my instructor would give me a reference, she wrote I was average and would make an adequate medical transcriptionist. My counselor told me not to use the reference. The course only offered a 5-week job placement and that was not transcription. When I applied for positions I was told I needed at least a year's experience. Now there's the old adage - how do you get experience if no one will hire you? I could really use some feedback on this! When should you tell the employer that you have a disability? The college responded with "don't!
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Rich •Anyone have any ideas as to what to do when you are only judged by what you've done in the last 10 years and you're trying to use the skills and experiences from your positions prior to 10 years ago. I've listed my accomplishmnets from those years, but employers seem to zero in on what you've done in your last couple of jobs. Even when applying on a company web-site, they often only want to know about your last couple of positions which may have nothing to do with the direction your trying to head.
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T •I've been on innumerable interviews in the past year and not landed a job yet. I'm intelligent, experienced, and a well rounded individual but am disgusted with corporate america. I recently held a medical sales job for a few months, was handling the California territory but the former employer required me to do so on EST time. This was essentially not possible, and I was reprimanded and eventually fired for working overtime to resolve CA work that needed to be processed. It was a win lose situation. T
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Scott •Like Tom above I have gone the route over the past year of writing custom cover letters having help from every friend and professional to improve my resume, used resumezapper, having recruiters request a better resume. Having recruiters raise your hopes only to ignore you right after the interview, lack of courtesy by this industry is rampant. Now the only step seems to be paying for an employee consulting firm. I am out of ideas and time, have lost perspective is this a good move?
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There is nothing absolute in life. Nothing will work in getting you a job 100% of the time. Also, not EVERY employer or recruiter is going to read a cover letter. However, many do and for many it DOES make a difference. One of the purposes of a cover letter is to make the reader want to read your resume. Your resume should make them want to interview you.Tom, if you've only had 4 interviews in the last year, I would seriously look at your resume package. I know you've stated that you've re-created them multiple times but since that isn't working, maybe you need to turn to professional writers. Maybe, without knowing it, you are telling them your age. There are ways to disguise it a little more so it doesn't turn off employers.Also, for those who have been on interviews, make sure you hone up on your interview skills. If you have weaknesses that you're sensitive about and that employers might not like (ie: age) then you need to address them in a postive way to make employers overlook them.Good luck!
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Aaron t •surely,i believe theres a lot it takes to find a job,my worstbeing apptitude tests,however i strongly believe and know that it's who you know not what you know!
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Tom •To Mario. Right on! I have been unemployed for over a year and I have tried everything to get the attention of a potential employer. I have modified my cover letter and resume so many times to "suit" agencies and companies without success. Recruiters give you a "false" sense of hope when meeting with them. Networking works initially, however, after a year...you run out of resources. I have had 4 interviews in the last year. The comment I hear from the recruiter is that "your too senior" for this position (even though I have all of the qualifications). The internet has made job searches very difficult for the average person who really needs a job!
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Chuck •To Jim R. Call the company and mention that you are interested in their work (in the area you specialize in.) Then ask who you would contact for an informational interview. If possible, get an email address (from your call, or from the company's website.)...Then either mail or email your cover letter and resume directly to that decisionmaker.
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Mario •Honestly! I've had a bellyfull of these constant wordplay games. Cover Letters I grant you are important but they certainly are not the critical issue. The depth and breadth of this exercise is to recognize the value and net worth of the individual resume - end of story! I am so sick and tired of this invented form of creating a commercial. If a hiring manager gives such credence to the cover letter then what more can I say... maybe that is why companies have such a high retention rate - because the recruiters rarely "really" understand the resume. As the job market begins to restrict in the forthcoming years I sincerely hope that candidates will be recognized for their skills, abilities and talents. MS
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Jim R. •My cover letter is aimed at grabbing the attention of the hiring manager - the decision maker in my field of expertise. How do I get my well crafted cover letter past the HR recruiting paper-mill and in front of the person who really matters? With so many companies requiring on-line internet application processing, it seems more difficult than ever to get my cover letter passed with my resume to the actual hiring manager. Suggestions?
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Angela Garrison •I really appreciate whoever did this blog. I have been trying to figure out how to be more creative on a cover letter? I am a graphic designer looking for a position where I can utilize not only my creative side, but the technical, organizational skills too. I have now found a way to get "out of the box" format of doing cover letters. A creative yet effective cover letter that customizes and makes my cover letter be alive.Thanks!
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Roger A •I had a standard cover letter(template) sent out 28 copies with resume, got 3 phone calls and 1 interview. Rewrote my cover letter with the idea in mind that this truly is my "first impression" opportunity, I actually ask for an interview in the first line of my cover letter! I sent out 6 with resume attached, got 4 interviews and the job I currently hold. I am Assistant Human Resources Superintendent, and guess what...I am looking for people that can convince me they right off the bat that they are best for my company. GOOD LUCK
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