Mistakes to Avoid While Writing a Cover Letter

There were times when cover letters were a must to apply for job. But lately, when quick online job applications have become popular, not all employers insist on a cover letter along with their resume.

However, this is only partly true, as a recent study shows that 53% of employers look forward to a cover letter from the applicant.

Writing a cover letter is not a no-brainer. It involves consideration of various aspects, especially when you ought not to settle for an ordinary cover letter. It means, though your cover letter doesn't get a good read, it still is acknowledged positively by the employers.

Sometimes, even minor errors in the cover letter may make them end up in a dustbin. It is imperative to pay more heed while writing the cover letter to make it worth opening. While framing the cover letter and the common mistakes to avoid, there are specific points to bear in mind. Dive in to know them! We have come up with the soundest tips on avoiding mistakes while writing a cover letter. Here, they are:

Being boastful

It is good that you want to share your accomplishments with the employer, but it doesn't always fetch you an approving nod. Here the company is in the quest to fill a position to handle specific work. So instead of being boastful about your achievements, tell them how you are the right fit for the job.
 
Talking about the job history 

Many people share their past work experiences in the cover letter, which sometimes seems congested. So rather than explaining all your past experiences in work, choose to be precise and tell the employer what skills you have relevant to the job. Don't bother to tell the employer about the past positions. It may not always create the right impact on you.

No cock and bull stories, please

The employer has absolutely no interest in knowing your problems. Don't ever mention why you got fired from your previous job or why you moved to a different place in the cover letter. The employer looks for those who stay in the present rather than those who dwell in the past. Instead, focus on the current job and how your skills can help pursue it.
 
Don’t keep it long and boring

No employer will have enough time to read long cover letters. So keep your cover letter as short as possible by only including the things that matter. Try to write only half a page of a cover letter and not more than that. Essay writings won't win you a cup, and instead, you may lose the opportunity to get the job if you do so.

Recapping your resume

It would be best not to repeat what you already wrote in your resume. The employer would have already gone through your resume and then come to check your cover letter. So be mindful not to include what is already there in the resume.
 
Don't use cringe statements

Don't use cringe statements like "team player" or "you are the right candidate for the open position." Instead, try to be more specific with what you want to convey and how you will benefit the company. Try to add value to your cover letter rather than filling it up with clichés.  
 
Don't shower praises on the company

Don't shower praises on the company unnecessarily. Your admiration for the company shouldn't reflect in your cover letter. Just be formal in conveying how you will help the company while working in the position you have applied for.

No typos, please!

Most job seekers make a pretty common mistake while writing a cover letter. It may cost you the interview if you don't heed the typos. Around 70% of the interviewers will dismiss a cover letter if they find typos. Make sure to examine the grammar and spelling mistakes before wrapping up the cover letter. It's better to spend 10 minutes more at the time of writing this than regretting a mistake later on.
 
Poor layout

The layout of the cover letter should not be poor as it is what forms the first impression. Though you need not use your designing skills to prepare the design, you should make your cover letter look pleasing. You should follow a standard font and font size throughout and convert lengthy paragraphs into shorter ones. It should look neat and organized.
 
Employing stock cover letter

Most job seekers look for an easy way out and buy stock cover letters instead of preparing their cover letters. It clarifies to the employer that you are lazy and can't even spare time to write the cover letter for the position you are applying for. You would agree that it's not in your favor to be seen as a lazy person by your prospective employer.   

Don't be overly formal

It is good to maintain a formal tone throughout the cover letter, but overly formal would look artificial. The proper style doesn't work in all companies. Counting on the type of company you are applying to, you have to choose the style, whether it is formal or informal.
If your employer company is something with a modern outlook and all, your overly formal cover letter may annoy them. The hiring manager may dismiss your cover letter there and then. You have to choose an informal approach to believe that you are a good match for their company profile.
 
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Summing up

Even when online recruitment has become the order of the day, employers still consider cover letters significant. The new-age employers look forward to reading the cover letters or giving them a glimpse. So not sending the cover letter won't do you any good, and de facto may take away the opportunity that might come your way. So make sure to prepare a cover letter following all the suggestions we have shared in this post. We are confident that you will produce something valuable and professional that an employer is longing to read.