Many people who finish a resume and think the "hard work" is over suddenly realize they have to write a letter to accompany their resume only to blow it. Let's look at 3 of the deadliest cover letter mistakes people make and what to do instead. Be sure to verify the prospective employer wants cover letters. Larger firms often do not.
Mistake # 1 - Writing the letter AFTER writing the resume.
Why it's a mistake? - You have not made sure you meet the stated requirements of the new job. You have not drafted a letter that "smokes out" if you are actually qualified for the job saving you the heartache of "no replies."
What to do instead: - Draft two column letter first. Match your Qualifications on the left column with job Requirements in the right column. List all known Requirements from the job posting in first column. Match your Qualifications in second column. To ensure the reader reads left to right, number every Requirement and every Qualification. You and your prospective new employer will see in a 'blink' if you are a true candidate. If not, you save time and disappointment.
Mistake # 2 - Jamming things in the letter that you left out of your resume.
Why it's a mistake? Two reasons: The cover letter and resume, especially a one pager, don't contain the same information. Second: If your letter gets tossed so does the information you didn't repeat in the resume.
What to do instead: Prepare the letter first. If your qualifications match the new job's requirements then make sure the qualifications you list in the letter are ALL in the qualifications paragraph at the top of your resume.
Mistake # 3 - Not using any letter.
Why it's a mistake? Done right your letter is all the new employer needs to see before calling you for an interview. She'll read your resume at the time of the interview.
What to do instead: Even if you can't file a letter online prepare one using two column comparison of your qualifications with the requirements and send it with your resume lying flat, no staples, in a 9x10 inch white envelope to the correct new employer's snail mail address. Use "PS" in your letter and say you also applied on line as required. Don't confuse your targeted employer by sending one copy of your resume by USPS (mail) and one as an attachment to your e-mail.
Mistake # 1 - Writing the letter AFTER writing the resume.
Why it's a mistake? - You have not made sure you meet the stated requirements of the new job. You have not drafted a letter that "smokes out" if you are actually qualified for the job saving you the heartache of "no replies."
What to do instead: - Draft two column letter first. Match your Qualifications on the left column with job Requirements in the right column. List all known Requirements from the job posting in first column. Match your Qualifications in second column. To ensure the reader reads left to right, number every Requirement and every Qualification. You and your prospective new employer will see in a 'blink' if you are a true candidate. If not, you save time and disappointment.
Mistake # 2 - Jamming things in the letter that you left out of your resume.
Why it's a mistake? Two reasons: The cover letter and resume, especially a one pager, don't contain the same information. Second: If your letter gets tossed so does the information you didn't repeat in the resume.
What to do instead: Prepare the letter first. If your qualifications match the new job's requirements then make sure the qualifications you list in the letter are ALL in the qualifications paragraph at the top of your resume.
Mistake # 3 - Not using any letter.
Why it's a mistake? Done right your letter is all the new employer needs to see before calling you for an interview. She'll read your resume at the time of the interview.
What to do instead: Even if you can't file a letter online prepare one using two column comparison of your qualifications with the requirements and send it with your resume lying flat, no staples, in a 9x10 inch white envelope to the correct new employer's snail mail address. Use "PS" in your letter and say you also applied on line as required. Don't confuse your targeted employer by sending one copy of your resume by USPS (mail) and one as an attachment to your e-mail.
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