Bad Cover Letter Example
Often, especially in the case of a cover letter, knowing what not to do is just as important as what to do. Though every job is different and the information in the letter should reflect that, there are some things that, if included in this document, will probably get your resume thrown in the trash. Here is an example of a “bad” cover letter; if yours looks like this, some revision is in order. Note the lack of date, specific job title.
To Whom It May Concern;
The purpose of this letter is to express my interest in the job opening you advertised. I have lots of experience as and ad account managar and think I would be good for the job.
Ads that I have designed have been in many different newspapers and I have gotten a lot of awards for my work.
Enclosed you will find my resume. Please get back to me about the job.
Joe Jones
555-5555
There are so many things wrong with that cover letter; let’s look at just a few of those mistakes:
1. The letter is not addressed to a specific person. Many companies, especially larger ones with different divisions, have a different hiring manager for each division. Not addressing the letter to someone specific increases the risk that your letter will never be seen.
2. There is no date. Sorting through applicants is a lengthy process, and if there is no date on your letter, the reader has no way to tell whether you were responding to a recent posting or one from many months ago.
3. Misspelled words and bad grammar will send your letter to the trash faster than almost anything else.
4. There are no specific details that highlight what makes the applicant right for the job. If you provide no details, the reader can’t tell if you are truly qualified or not.
5. Words that state the obvious (“the purpose of this letter is to express my interest in the job opening…). Of course that is why you are communicating with the hiring personnel.
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Topics: COVER LETTERS |
