The cover letter is a valuable tool when you're out there hunting for a job, but the majority of people who should be using it to its utmost capacity are badly misusing it or not at all! This can work to your advantage though, if you know how to use this powerful job hunting weapon when nobody else does...you just have to avoid the mistakes others make!

There are a lot of things that people often do that weaken or negate the incredible potential of your cover letter, but they're all easily avoidable if you now what you're doing. Here are a few of the most common mistakes people make and how to make sure they don't hurt your campaign.

• Big Mistake #1: Not employing a cover letter at all. It's too valuable a resource to not even use...a cover letter can break into a relationship with a potential employer with just about any first impression you could ask for, and so many people don't even know its power or how to use it that they don't even try with one. The solution to this is easy...write one, even if you're not sure of exactly what you're doing!

• Big Mistake #2: Creating numerous printoffs of the same generic cover letter and sending them to multiple companies in the hopes that JUST ONE will respond. A cover letter that doesn't specifically address the needs of the business it's sent to is essentially crap, and sending the same crap to dozens of businesses will net dozens of failures. Take the time to write out unique cover letters that apply specifically to each business...it'll be worth your time.

• Big Mistake #3: Letting your paper look like a grade-school essay. Spelling and grammar errors appear horribly unprofessional, and in such a fiercely competitive field any fallback is a major one that could mean the difference with who gets the job. Make sure you don't let a single error into the final draft of your letter. Proofread until you're sick of it, and have a friend help you do it as a fresh pair of eyes can usually catch things you missed.

• Big Mistake #4: Inappropriate content. A cover letter is only supposed to be about a page (2-4 paragraphs), so space is precious...too precious to waste on unnecessary things like excessive personal information or a rehashing of your resume. Your cover letter exists to forge a link between you and the company you want to work for, so make it do that by using every available word to relate your skills, attitude, and experience to the business. You want to appear a valuable asset, not bore them with things they either already know or honestly just don't care about.

• Big Mistake #5: Thinking that the work ends when you flip up the mailbox flag. Sitting around by the phone waiting for a response isn't going to get you one. If you want it, you have to reach out and take it. Make the phone call yourself to set up an interview appointment...make sure your cover letter and resume get to the person who needs to see them. Proactivity is vital to nailing any effort, and getting a job is probably the poster-child for this. The more work and motivation you put into this, the better your chances...so don't let your opportunities slip by because you don't tighten your grip!

These are really some of the biggest issues that face most people who are trying to get a job using a cover letter in their arsenal. This isn't everything possible by any means, but if you steer clear of these mistakes you'll have a clear edge...quite possibly enough of one to bypass your competition and nail the job!

Tips For Getting Noticed With Your Cover Letter

 

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