Could your cover letters be causing career chaos? Get your cover letters right

A cover letter is your first introduction to an organization. When written well, it can help you shine and land you an interview. However, if you’re struggling to get past the gatekeepers and land an interview, it could be your cover letter that’s the issue. Yes, it’s true—there are instances where your cover letter could be creating career chaos and preventing you from moving forward in the job application process.

What’s the purpose of a cover letter?

A cover letter is meant to be a brief, straightforward business letter you submit with your resume for a job application. When written well, your cover letter is a persuasive message. It shows the employer why you’re a great candidate for the open position, making them want to move forward and view your resume and then, hopefully, bring you in for an interview.

What should your cover letter include?

To get past the gatekeepers and into the hands of a hiring manager, your cover letter, at a minimum, should include:

• Your contact information
• A salutation that’s directed to an individual when possible
• Your relevant and most significant qualifications that highlight your ability to do the job
• Why you’re interested in the organization and position
• A sense of your personality
• A tone that is a balance of professional and casual
• Your signature

What should you avoid when writing a cover letter?

With all the information available on how to write a solid cover letter, what to avoid sometimes gets overlooked. Here are 10 things to avoid when writing your cover letter if you want to move forward in the job application process.

1. Not following instructions

If you can’t follow instructions during the job application process, what does that say about how you’ll respond on the job? Carefully review the job posting to review any instructions regarding the application process and what to include in the cover letter and follow it to a “t.” Doing so shows you can follow instructions and pay attention to detail.

2. Not updating your cover letter with each job application

Like tweaking your resume to align with each job application, you should do the same with your cover letter. Additionally, the cover letter should be relevant to the employer and the individual reading it. That doesn’t mean you need to start from scratch every time, but it does mean you should be updating your template with each application.

3. Using the wrong structure and format

Format your cover letter so it’s easy for the recruiter or hiring manager to read it. Keep it to one page and use short paragraphs and bullet points to highlight key information. Margins should be one inch, with spaces between each paragraph or section. For consistency, the font should be the same size and type you use on your resume. Also, avoid using different colors and images, as they’ll be distracting to the reader.

4. Sharing irrelevant or incorrect information

The goal of your cover letter is to highlight relevant information and accomplishments to help you shine in the eyes of the employer. Avoid offering up irrelevant information that doesn’t relate to the position or any information that might imply you lack experience for the job. Instead, focus on the future and on sharing information about how your past accomplishments can lead to success on the job if you were to be hired. Highlight your most significant achievements that align with alleviating the pain points of the company and meeting the requirements of the job.

5. Focusing on job Functions vs. accomplishments

The rule of thumb for your resume is to highlight as much quantifiable data as possible that helps the employer visualize your ability to be successful on the job vs. simply listing job duties and functions you’ve held in the past. The same holds true for your cover letter—to shine and stand out, when possible, share relevant quantifiable achievements that showcase your ability to get results.

6. Discussing salary and compensation expectations

Mentioning salary and compensation in a cover letter, unless you’re specifically asked to, is too soon in the application process to broach the subject. It could give the impression that the only—or most important—thing that matters to you is how much you’re paid, making it highly probable that your application will go in the trash pile. Again, unless specifically asked to do so, avoid mentioning anything about compensation in your cover letter and instead use it as an opportunity to highlight the value you’ll bring to the position. In the rare case of being asked to mention salary expectations, a good rule of thumb is to provide a range, leaving room for discussion if you make it to the interview stage.

7. Repeating exactly what’s on your resume

Your cover letter should provide information that’s not found on your resume while also enhancing what’s provided on your resume. It’s ok to summarize some of the key data points from your resume to highlight your accomplishments, but don’t simply copy and paste. Additionally, your cover letter should include information about why you’re interested in the position and the company based on your research. Conclude with a call to action that relates to the next steps and following up with the prospective employer.

8. Using the wrong tone

The tone to aim for in a cover letter is casual yet professional. You don’t want to be too casual to the point that it’s a turn-off or doesn’t seem like you’re taking the application process seriously. You also don’t want to be too formal, as that can also be a turn-off and boring for the reader. Research the organization and position and try to match the style and tone that comes through.

9. Not proofreading and editing your cover letter before sending it

If your cover letter has grammatical errors, you will likely not make it to the interview stage. Be sure to proofread your cover letter, and ideally, have someone else proof it for you. From there, you can make any necessary edits before submitting.

10. Not including keywords

Not incorporating keywords in your cover letter equates to missing an opportunity to get past the gatekeeper bots, otherwise known as applicant tracking systems (ATSs). Similar to what you would do for your resume, review the job description and incorporate some relevant keywords that fit naturally within your cover letter.

You may fall into the rare category of those who like to write cover letters. However, for most of us, writing a cover letter isn’t the easiest or most fun thing to do. The tips above can make the writing process a bit easier and help ensure you avoid common mistakes when writing your cover letter before submitting it as part of the job application process.