Resume Cover Letter Blunders

A good cover letter is a requirement for every resume and job application that you hand out. A few people might be against this idea as they feel that their submitted resume is already a comprehensive detail of all their employment history, educational background and skills. So why do they have to send a resume cover letter apart from the resume they already submitted?

An effective resume cover letter is not one that repeats all the information already stated in a resume. A resume cover letter is your opening introduction to the employer and will give him a brief insight on the type of roles you will likely perform best. Besides, there are a few items that you can explain more and give more emphasis on the resume cover letter. Including an excellent resume cover letter to complement your resume can actually boost your chances of being hired.

Writing a good resume cover letter, however, is easier said than done. Most people will simply go on writing a resume cover letter for the main sake of just having one and are oblivious to the mistakes they are making. A resume cover letter, just like the resume, must create a positive impact on the prospective employer and allow him to see that you are right person for the role. A resume cover letter with obvious errors and mistakes will most likely cost you the interview and will be a hindrance to landing that role you want. You need to keep an eye on some of the most common resume cover letter blunders that most job seekers, in their haste to submit an application, tend to overlook.

Common Resume Cover Letter Blunders

1. One of the most obvious and generally the biggest turn-off is misspelling the name of the company and the name of the person you are handing your resume cover letter to. Not too many like to have their name misspelled, even companies. It doesn't signify your interest and will likely let them to believe that you give no attention to detail. So what will they think of the way you handle a job? They will most likely assume that you will bring in the same inattentiveness and sloppiness when performing the role. Take the time to properly research details when making the resume cover letter. Know who the person who you are sending it too. You can easily find this out from the classified ad posted as they usually include details of the contact person. You can also find out by checking the company yourself if you live close to the area. Always put in the correct contact person and company in your resume cover letter if you want to get the role.

2. Another blunder most job searchers tend to emphasize in their resume cover letter is putting more focus on what they can get out from the role rather than what they can offer to the company in terms of the skills and competencies they bring. Keep in mind, that employers will be more interested in what you have than what they can give although they also use this (what they can give) to attract the best candidates. A good resume cover letter must focus on key competencies and skills that will enforce your suitability to the role. These skills must offer something of value to the company. Companies will likely want something of value in relation to the compensation they are offering. Stress these valuable assets you have in the resume cover letter.

3. As much as possible, avoid repeating in your resume cover letter all the information that is already being included in your resume. A resume cover letter is inherently different from your resume and serves a different purpose. The resume cover letter is meant to provide the employer with an introduction on how you found out about the job and why they should consider hiring you for the particular role being offered. It must capture an employer's interest enough for him to consider you for an interview to learn more about what you can bring to the role. Blabbing about what is already in your resume won't achieve that. Rather, just pick-up the competencies that will bear a greater impact on the advertised position. You can usually find this out in the classified ad posted since recruiters always put what skills they require of a role. Focus on these in your resume cover letter. The other details can be left out for the resume.

4. Avoid starting with "I" for all the sentences and paragraphs you construct in your resume cover letter. If you try to examine most of the posted job advertisements, you certainly will notice that a key requirement for most positions is having excellent communication skills. Structuring all your sentences in your resume cover letter to start with "I" does not show a good command of the English language and will reflect poorly on your communication skills. Even without interviewing you and just basing on your resume cover letter, the employer will have the impression that you are not very good in communicating your thoughts and ideas and will likely pass you for the role. So communicate professionally in your resume cover letter.

5. If you have read samples of resume cover letters, you might notice that a common closing statement is to ask the employer to call at his most convenient time. While it is good that you are actually being considerate of the employer's busy schedule, you are not putting yourself at a more positive light. Try to be more assertive in your resume cover letter and show genuine interest by telling the employer that you will call them to inquire about your application and to see where things are. Simply telling them in your resume cover letter that you will call is not enough - you have to contact them. It is also wise that you will tell them in your resume cover letter what means of contact you will use. You can either contact them by email or by phone. This is not easy because it is not what most job searchers are used to but if you do it right and in a proper and professional way, you can impress the employer with your assertiveness and take-charge attitude. This could be a big plus and could just help you in landing that big role.

There are other important factors that employers use to decide whether you are a good fit for the role they are requiring. But having a good resume cover letter free from all these common blunders and mistakes is a first step in the right direction. Ensuring that your resume cover letter avoid these blunders will impress the employer with your attentiveness to detail, having relevant competencies, good communication skills and your ability to take charge of your career. This is exactly what you want to achieve with your resume cover letter.