Although many people think that cover letters are a thing of the past, sometimes a strong cover letter can help get you past sticky resume obstacles — or simply get you to the next step over your competition. But a bad cover letter can undo any good your resume does!
How screeners view cover letters
If your resume first goes through an automated resume screening process, your cover letter may or may not get looked at for “keywords or phrases“. Though it might.
But once a human gets their eyes on it (and maybe even before) a cover letter can help you get past the “maybe” or even the “no”. And help you get to the next step … a real live interview.
What about a bad cover letter?
Bad cover letters can influence the person trying to decide if you get the interview. Or even count against you if you’re one of the finalists. Things like spelling, punctuation, and the wording of phrases you use can be a turnoff.
But as important as those may be, this is your chance to capture their attention … and interest. And you don’t want to waste your one chance by writing something that sounds lame or average. And you definitely don’t want it to sound like a form letter!
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How to avoid a bad cover letter
Just as with your resume, your cover letter needs to quickly show them how well you fit their needs. It needs to take information from their job description and use it in a way that helps them see the match.
Also, where possible, try to add something that shows you’re not saying the same thing to everyone. You’ve taken the time to understand the job and their needs. And you’re also taking the time to be worth reading. Not just a transmittal letter.
Make the first line interesting. Your cover letter needs to stand out. So why are you making it so boring? I’m not suggesting you make the first line so attention-grabbing you risk annoying them. But you can at least point out someone you have in common. Or something you read about the company. Or lead with a strength that is right on target with the job description.
⇒ What Makes a Good Cover Letter Good?
Avoid just plain weird!
As a final bit of advice, try not to make your cover letters so overly “original and creative” that they leave a feeling of weird. Unless that’s what the job requires, I guess.
Employers like people who don’t seem ploddingly average. But they also are careful to weed out applicants who seem high maintenance or a possible problem for the rest of the team.
More posts to help
10 Things I Look for When I Screen Resumes and Cover Letters
How Is a Job Application Different from a Resume?
What Is a Targeted Resume or Cover Letter?
10 Steps To Match Your Resume to the Job
Sample Cover Letter: Match Cover Letters to EACH Job!
What’s a Resume Screener?
Can Cookie-Cutter Form Cover Letters Get You Interviews?
Using Keywords and Keyword Phrases on Resumes
Why a Resume Gets Rejected — Even Good Ones!
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