What Nobody Wants to Read on Your Cover Letter

You need a strong cover letter in your job search that highlights why you’re the best candidate for this particular job. Most applicants fail to write a cover letter that helps them get an interview or further consideration. Here are some of the things applicants include that hurt their chances.

Your Entire Life Story

Many job applicants include entirely too much information when they write a cover letter. Employers don’t want to know that you took a year off to have children, you have a passion for certain marine mammals, or your political affiliation. Some applicants even write essays on how they came to apply for this job.

When I was a kid, I always thought I’d be a marine biologist. I went to classes about training dogs because a trainer at SeaWorld told me that I should take psychology. So I did, but I realized I didn’t like it very much. So it was back to the drawing board. I got a few jobs working with kids and thought, kids are very much like working with animals.

The only thing that should be on your cover letter is how you’re the right candidate for this job. Nothing else.

I have 5 years of professional experience working with kids, as well as relevant certifications such as CPR.

What Happened With Your Last Employer

Odds are good that you’ve been fired at one time or another. You’d also not be looking for a new job if you liked your last job. You don’t want to say anything negative about your last employer on your cover letter, as employers may think you’d talk about them this way in the future.

Dear Whom It May Concern

Customize your cover letter to the job you’re applying for. This means that you should find out who the hiring manager is and address them specifically. This drastically increases your chances of getting an interview.

Your Goals Outside of Landing This Job

You’ll apply to different jobs for different reasons. While in college to become a dental hygienist, you may become a sales person. When you write a cover letter for the sales job, DO NOT include that you really want to be a dental hygienist. Cover letters showcase your goals for now, not in the future. Why would an employer waste their time training someone who ultimately doesn’t want to be there?

If you need help writing a great cover letter that showcases your strengths, let us craft one for you.