Cover Letter Mistakes - 8 Cover Letter Tips and Tricks

Summary

In this video, Brian from Life After Layoff shares common cover letter mistakes that can hurt a job seeker's chances of getting hired. He emphasizes the importance of solving the employer's business problem rather than focusing on personal career goals or rehashing your resume. Mistakes like using generic cover letters, grammatical errors, and addressing the wrong company name can hurt your chances. He advises personalizing each cover letter, being concise, and backing up claims with specific examples to stand out to recruiters. A well-crafted cover letter can significantly improve your prospects in the competitive job market.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on solving the business problem, not just listing your qualifications.
• 😀 Don't simply rehash your resume in your cover letter; add context and relevant experiences.
• 😀 Avoid discussing how the role benefits your career; instead, highlight how you can solve the company’s problems.
• 😀 Keep your cover letter concise and to the point. Long, wordy letters are less likely to be read.
• 😀 Always proofread for spelling, grammatical, and editing errors to maintain professionalism.
• 😀 Double-check the job title and company name to avoid giving a poor first impression.
• 😀 Tailor your cover letter to each specific job; avoid using a generic cover letter for all applications.
• 😀 Don’t rely on fluffy buzzwords like 'team player'; instead, provide concrete examples of your skills.
• 😀 A personalized cover letter can set you apart in a competitive job market.
• 😀 Submit a cover letter whenever possible, as it adds valuable insight into your qualifications.
• 😀 A well-crafted cover letter can serve as a strong supporting document to boost your chances of landing the job.

Q & A

Why are companies still asking for cover letters, despite the rise of LinkedIn and other tools?

While LinkedIn and other tools have replaced some traditional methods, cover letters remain important because they allow candidates to demonstrate their personality and directly address the hiring manager. A well-crafted cover letter can show how a candidate can solve a company’s specific business problem, making it a valuable tool for job seekers.

What is the main purpose of a cover letter?

The main purpose of a cover letter is to show how a candidate can solve the hiring company's specific business problems. It should highlight the candidate’s relevant skills and experiences that can contribute to the company’s needs, making them stand out beyond what’s listed on their resume.

What mistake do job seekers commonly make when writing cover letters?

A common mistake is not solving the business problem that the company faces. Job seekers often focus on summarizing their career or explaining how the role will benefit their career, instead of addressing how their skills and experience can help the company solve its challenges.

Why should a cover letter not be a career summary?

A cover letter should not be a career summary because the resume already provides that information. Repeating it in the cover letter doesn’t add value and makes the cover letter redundant. Instead, the cover letter should offer specific examples of how a candidate’s experience is relevant to the job being applied for.

Why is it harmful to focus on how the job benefits the candidate rather than solving the company’s problem?

Focusing on how the job benefits the candidate rather than how they can solve the company’s problems shows a lack of understanding of the employer’s priorities. Employers are looking for someone who can address their needs, not someone seeking personal gain from the role.

What is the ideal length for a cover letter?

A cover letter should be short, sweet, and to the point. It needs to be concise enough for the recruiter to easily digest, ensuring it doesn’t overwhelm them. A long cover letter can be off-putting, as recruiters often have limited time to review applications.

How can grammatical or editing errors in a cover letter impact a candidate’s chances?

Grammatical or editing errors in a cover letter reflect poorly on the candidate, indicating a lack of attention to detail. These errors can lead hiring managers to assume that the candidate lacks effective communication skills, even if they have the necessary experience and qualifications.

What is the risk of getting the job title or company name wrong in a cover letter?

Getting the job title or company name wrong in a cover letter is a serious mistake that creates a negative first impression. It shows a lack of attention to detail and suggests that the candidate didn’t take the time to personalize their application. This mistake can easily disqualify the candidate.

How can sending a generic cover letter negatively affect a candidate’s chances?

Sending a generic cover letter can hurt a candidate’s chances because it shows a lack of effort and customization. Hiring managers can tell when a cover letter is not tailored to the specific job, which makes it appear as though the candidate hasn’t thoroughly reviewed the job description or company.

What is meant by 'fluffy terms' in a cover letter, and why should they be avoided?

Fluffy terms, such as 'team player' or 'hard worker', are vague statements that don’t demonstrate real impact. Instead of relying on these general terms, candidates should provide concrete examples of how they contributed to a team or project, showing how their actions resulted in tangible benefits for the company.