Read This Before You Copy & Paste Another Cover Letter

Source: AOL Jobs
A lot of emphasis has been placed on the importance of cover letters. But did you know you might be the cause to why your cover letter does not get you a job?

An associate director of Editorial & Communications for WORKS, gives the following advice before you apply online for the next job.

What’s in a name?
People who are reading your cover letter hate it when you misspell their name. Take the time to make sure that HR contact’s name is spelled RIGHT.

Also, if it’s a job@company.com email address, go the extra step to determine who the actual hiring manager is and address it to them. Forget about using “to whom it may concern.” It concerns Mary XYZ, Hiring Manager at ABC Company.

She’ll appreciate the research.

Keep it personal.
Stop copy-pasting your cover letter. Hiring managers see right through this lazy attempt at career searching. Is your defense that the companies are all alike? Well, that might be the case, but your job as an applicant is to highlight why each and every company you apply to is “the one.” That means making it as personalized as possible.

Research who you’re emailing: study their career and mention it in the letter, if applicable. For instance, “I read your recent article, admire your career, loved the product launch you worked on.” Everyone likes hearing a little bit of praise.

Connect the Dots:
If your CV is your career map, then your cover letter is the key. This is your space to tell your story and help HR understand your career. Do you want to make the move from PR professional to journalist?

This is the space to explain that. No need to rehash your CV. Instead, focus on a strategic career story that will align you with the job in question.

Fight the urge to ramble:
It starts out as an extra sentence or two, but when you’re done you’ve created a short story instead of a cover letter. Save some mystery for the interview. The person reading this cover letter is busy–and chances are, so are you. Don’t waste your time or anyone else’s writing a cover letter that’s too long.

If you need a format, stick to three paragraphs. I’ve seen a bit longer and a tad shorter, but it all comes back to the quality of the words. No need to start off with, “My name is ______.” Chances are they’ll be able to tell that from your email address and signature. And if you aren’t a recent graduate, there’s no need to highlight the school you attended, either.

Take a look at your cover letter before sending out your application.

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