5 Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid When Applying For Jobs

Cover letter mistakes remain the number one reason why most job seekers in Kenya do not get interview calls.The cover letter is meant to complement what you have on your CV and summarize for a recruiter what you have to offer; your skills and qualifications. However, it shouldn’t be a repetition of what is presented in the CV
According to Ms. Rebecca Karimi, a Professional CV Writer at Corporate Staffing Services, the following are the mistakes that most job seekers make when coming up with cover letters.

Common Mistakes To Avoid When Writing Cover Letters

1. Having irrelevant experience
This is a common mistake which most job seekers make. Regardless of the experience you have, it needs to be in line with the job you are applying for, in order for it to add any value to your cover. The focus on your cover letter should be on how you meet the company’s needs
For instance, You cannot apply for a sales job and quote experience you got from an accounting job. This is because the two careers have very different requirements. Unless the experience earned is general in nature, do not include it.
2. Giving false information
Lying has become quite common in the Kenyan job market. However, what job seekers do not know is that the false information you present in a Cover letter is very easily discoverable by recruiters when it comes to the interview level.
You need to be honest in order to make yourself credible to potential employers. No one wants to hire a person who they cannot trust. In the worst case scenario, recruiters may even blacklist you and you will find difficulty in finding a job.
3. Giving Irrelevant Accomplishments
Accomplishments are a great asset to any job seeker. However, if they are not used well, they end up being unnecessary information in a cover letter.
Make sure you match the relevant accomplishments to whatever position that you are applying for. This will help you convince the recruiters on your suitability for the job. You also have to ensure that for every accomplishment you state, you have some supporting evidence.
4. Making the cover letter too long
Writing long cover letters is highly discouraged. Job seekers are advised to keep their letters to a maximum of at least one page.
The cover letter should be short and precise.
“Your letter needs to have an introduction, a body and a brief conclusion.“Keep your paragraphs short and to the point because the employer will have to read hundreds of applications,”says Ms. Karimi.
5. Failing to put the cover letter as the body of the email application
Many Kenyan job seekers attach the cover letter to an email, together with their CVs and other supporting documents.
According to Ms. Karimi, the best way to send out the Cover letter is as the body of the email. This makes it easily accessible.
“Unless otherwise instructed, the cover letter should always be on the body of the email,”she says.
Have you been making these mistakes in your cover letter? Avoid being left out of the job market today by correcting your cover letter.