3 Essential Cover Letter Mistakes

by Stephanie Blye

WE are convinced that when you send a

cover letter

your intention is not to make it get to the "round file". That is the file which is emptied daily by the scrub woman.

When it comes to the

cover letter

, the mistakes we have identified may be reduced to three major themes. The rest of them represent variations to these themes in a more or less extent. Here they are:

1. A soft beginning.

Some

job seekers

start their cover letter with two or even more that three paragraphs, just for the introduction area. AS less is most of the times more, how about starting with something like: "My name is X and I wish to apply for the Y position, in the Z company, as a result of the advertisement in the ZXY newspaper".



Believe it or not, this is the easiest and most effective way of starting your

cover letter

. The reader doesn't get bored, he finds out your intentions immediately. Not too many details, just powerful, straight to the point statements.

2. Your career objective.

"What do I need a

career objective

for?" you might ask yourself. Well, to prove that you have an aim in life and your career is

result-oriented

. However, be careful how you word your

career objective

! A statement like "I am seeking for a position on which my abilities are used and recognized with the purpose of advancements." will sound haughtily for sure and the risk of having your

cover letter

passed by is highly increased. You might have your application rejected, even if you are a valuable candidate. So show respect towards the time of the person evaluating your application and keep statements like the one mentioned above for the moment you'll be called for an

interview

.

3. The reason for which you have left your previous job.

No matter how much you feel the need to explain the prospective employer the reason for which you have left your previous job, don't. Restrain yourself from doing this! Get ready to answer any tricky question (among which the one related to why you have left the previous position as well) any question regarding the history of your previous job places, but do not mention anything about them in your cover letter. Keep them for later, when you are to go to the interview. The

cover letter

is not a place to express all your thoughts or your complaints! This could lead to closed doors! And another thing. Avoid critiquing the previous organizations you have worked in because they might questions your integrity.