A resume is aimed at showing the employer how your experiences and credentials make you the perfect match for the job. A cover letter in turn should enhance that. So it’s natural for employers to expect a cover letter filled with only relevant information.

For your guidance, here are 5 things a good cover letter should NOT say:

1.  Your Personal Objectives

You might think this is relevant, but leave this for the interview—and only if you’re asked. Think about it: if you ever needed a service, you wouldn’t select a provider who advertised their own needs and described how you can help them, right? It should be the other way around.

2.  Candy Coated Lies

Don’t ever be tempted to misrepresent yourself for a job you’re dying to have by lining your cover letter with untruths. Be honest. If you ranked 1st for 3 consecutive months in sales achievement, don’t extend it to 6 months. Background checks are inevitable through the course of your employment don’t let exaggerations cost you an opportunity.

3.  Jokes or Anecdotes

This is not the time to show your sense of humor. Anecdotes are not appropriate as well. Stick with the purpose of explaining your qualifications and what value you bring to the company. Use a very professional tone in your cover letter. Let them see that you mean business.

4.  Wrong Information About the Company

It’s good to mention things you know about the company you want to work for. However, if information you mention are incorrect then you lose points for that. Conduct some thorough research before mentioning any information about the company in your cover letter.

5.  Lack of Experience

Yes, you have to be honest, but this is not the time to put your weaknesses in the spotlight. Don’t let these things define you. Should you get your foot in the door, you can use the opportunity to gain more experience, learn new skills and soon turn your weaknesses into strengths.

---

Because every reader has their own biases, it would be best not to include personal information as well. It would be good to break down your paragraph into different parts too so you won’t bore your reader and make your cover letter seem uninviting to read. Let your cover letter make your application shine; don’t let it be the reason for your application to get tossed out in the trash.

Images and Captions by The Collared Sheep.

Related Posts

1. 
   
   Things You Need to Do After the Interview
2. 
   
   An Open Letter to Old Man Winter
3. 
   
   Good Boss / Bad Boss: Charlie Sheen

---