When students and graduates are job hunting, the pressure of maximising a fantastic application to get that opportunity for an interview can often cause mistakes when writing a CV/resume and cover letter. This article will detail 5 top mistakes to avoid when writing a cover letter to recruiters for your job application and applying to graduate programmes and internships.
Not writing a Cover Letter
Writing a cover letter is obvious, but so many young people miss this crucial step of writing a cover letter for their application (I made this mistake multiple times) and end up jeopardising the chance to progress further. Writing a letter to the employer shows dedication and interest in the job role and allows the employer to understand why you may be the perfect candidate for the position. Don’t overlook the necessity of writing a cover letter!
Avoid repeating information from your resume
Qualifications, awards and achievements, scholarships won, and a list of past jobs are perfect for your resume. However, these aren’t needed in your cover letter. Remember that a cover letter explains why you would be the best-suited candidate for the job, and listing all your past glories will make you seem boastful and overconfident to the recruiter. Furthermore, your resume has already covered this information, so it may also appear as if you have no substance to you and can’t talk yourself up. Employers are brutal when reviewing job applications, and first impressions will get you more success by ensuring the correct information is shared off the bat.
Not discussing why you are suitable for the job
As previously touched on in the last paragraph, cover letters are the chance to ensure you showcase why you are the best person for the role. The ideal example of a cover letter is researching the organisation and including relevant information to your skill set and how this would benefit you if you got the role. An employer/job recruiter will spend 30 seconds at a maximum skimming through your cover letter before moving onto another applicant. Start by writing a short introduction that addresses the point of the cover letter (as mentioned above) and to whom you are writing.
Not researching
You need to be familiar with the role before writing a cover letter in response to the job offered. Research who is the person you would be working for, the job description and requirements for that role, and keep in mind the payment amount and location you would be working at. A thorough understanding of the job will allow you to relate to specific parts of the job and explain how you can add to this function of the job/organisation.
Make sure to proofread and edit your cover letter
Typos, grammar mistakes and even false information can occur from not proofreading your cover letter. Nothing looks more unprofessional than a cover letter filled with errors that can easily be fixed by re-reading your letter before sending it. A suggestion to help clean up your typos is to use Grammarly. It works wonders and helps craft a well-suited cover letter that will impress the reader with your mastery of written language. Also, if possible, get a friend or family member to check your work as sometimes it takes another pair of eyes to see a few mistakes made.
A cover letter can be simple or complex depending on how much time you are willing to invest in producing the best letter you possibly can. It will be natural to write a few lousy cover letters in the early stages of job hunting but give it time. Follow the tips outlined here, and you will be on a good path soon enough.
Good luck writing your cover letters!
- Taylor Tutawa, Nxtstep Content Writer