email, you never hear another peep from the employer.
They got like a million applications, dont take it personally, your friends tell you.
Read the letter out loud.
Youd be surprised how many errors you catch that way.
You use an archaic or sexist greeting (e.g., Dear Sir).
If youre inclined to write Dear Sir or even Dear Sir or Madam, we suggest you reconsider.
To Whom It May Concern works; To the hiring team at [Company Name] is good.
You use too casual a greeting (e.g.
Hi, Hi there, Hey!).
This is not a Tinder message, its a cover letter for a job you ostensibly want.
You have no greeting at all.
You dont mention the name of the company youre applying to.
This one came up a lot.
Personalize your cover letters!
I am writing to apply for the [position] at [Company].
Then say specifically why you are quite perfect for said position and youre dying to work for said company.
One of the factors that managers look at when hiring is how much you want the job.
You need not beg, but theres absolutely nothing gained by seeming completely uninterested in the position.
Theyre on to your tricks.
You dont seem enthusiastic about working for this particular company.
Your cover letter is the first thing hiring managers see when theyre evaluating your candidacy.
Do not play hard to get!
Do not appear not to care about getting the job.
you’ve got the option to say so!
You dont translate your current experience to the job for which youre applying.
You speak ill of your current or former employers (this goes for interviews as well).
Even though youre dying to get out of your current job, save the gripes.
You get the company name wrong, or you misspell it.
You misspell the name of the hiring manager.
Better to use a generic To Whom It May Concern than to eff this up.
You say this job would be a great stepping stone for you.
Just because its true doesnt mean you say so.
