10 of the Worst Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid

10 of the Worst titel Letter Mistakes to Avoid10 of the Worst titel Letter Mistakes to Avoid10 of the Worst Cover Letter Mistakes to AvoidMake sure your titelseite letter helps your candidacy by avoiding ansicht all-too-common mistakes.Once youve updated your professional resume, its time to prepare your job applications for submission. This usually involves making some small tweaks to your resume and creating a cover letter to accompany your application.But arent cover letters a thing of the past?Yes and no. While 74 percent of recruiters dont find the cover letter to be an important factor when evaluating candidates, the remaining percentage do. And since you have no way of knowing which type of recruiter will receive your application, its best to cover your bases and include a cover letter with every job application. As an added bonus, a reported 53 percent of employers admit they prefer candidates to send a cover letter.However, not just any cover letter will do. If youre going t o take the time to craft this document, make sure it helps, not hurts, your candidacy, by following cover letter dos and donts. Below are 10 common and costly mistakes to avoid when writing your next cover letter.Cover Letter Mistake 1 Lack of researchThanks to the Internet, theres little excuse to not personalize your cover letters. Whenever possible, research the name of the hiring manager or recruiter (if its not listed on the actual job post) and the company whos filling the position, and use this information to customize your opening document. If you skip this step, youre sending the message to the reader that you dont really care enough about the position to do your homework. In a world where employers are inundated with applications, any excuse to eliminate candidates will do. Dont let this cover letter mistakegive them a reason to cut you from the pile.There are some exceptions to this rule. If youre responding to an anonymous job posting, youre not expected to include the n ame of the company or the hiring manager in the cover letter. When a company goes out of its way to keep its name and the names of its employees confidential, you can assume the hiring manager wont take off points if you use a generic opener.Cover Letter Mistake 2 Overly formal or casual greetingsWhenever youre applying for a job or preparing for an interview, take the companys culture into account. You can get a better sense of the employers brand by checking out its Careers section online, reading reviews on Glassdoor, searching for its profile on The Muse, following the social media accounts the company set up for recruitment purposes, and talking to your networking connections whove worked at the organization. This will help you decide if youre better off going with a Hello Jeff or a Dear Mr. Berger type of greeting.If youre unable to address your cover letter to a specific person, steer clear of incredibly formal introductions, such as To Whom It May Concern, as they are not co nversational and can be considered off-putting. The saatkorn goes for super casual openers like Hi Even if youre dealing with a startup that prides themselves on being non-traditional, this cover letter greeting is a little too laid back for your first communication and may have the reader questioning your professionalism.Play it safe and stick with a gender-neutral opener such as Dear Hiring Manager or Dear Recruiter.Cover Letter Mistake 3 Talking all about me, me, meThink of your cover letter as your sales pitch to the hiring manager. Instead of spending the entire time talking about yourself and your wants and needs, consider the needs of your prospective employer. Your potential boss is the one who will (hopefully) read your cover letter, after all.Review the job description again and check out the latest nachrichtensendung on the company. Ask yourself why the organization is hiring for this role. In other words, what pain point will this position solve? When you can relate to t he hiring managers concerns and position your skills as the solution to his or her needs, you have a better chance of avoiding cover letter mistakes andcapturing the readers attention.Cover Letter Mistake 4 Repeating your entire resumeRemember, the recruiter already has your resume - theres no need to rehash your entire work history in your cover letter. In fact, I believe this is why so many employers disregard the cover letter theyve read so many schwimmbad cover letters that merely summarize their candidates resumes, that they see no need to read them.One cover letter tip is to surprise the hiring manager by using your opening to demonstrate your understanding of the companys position in the marketplace and its needs and then highlight your experiences and accomplishments that speak to these requirements.Avoid these common cover letter mistakes.Hire a TopResume writer today.Cover Letter Mistake 5 Generic messagingEven if youre applying to an anonymous job listing, a common cover letter mistake is using boilerplate text. While your introduction may not be as specific as it would be for a position where the employer is known, this doesnt give you license to use a generic template for the main sections of your cover letter.Based upon the job description, make a list of the top 3-5 requirements for the role. This may have to do with your knowledge of a certain topic or an industry, your experience performing a particular task, or your education and other credentials. Then, brainstorm how you possess each prerequisite, referencing a specific contribution, accomplishment, or experience from your work history that illustrates these qualifications. Summarize this information in a paragraph or a set of bullets. This is a great way to customize your cover letter and grab the readers attention.Cover Letter Mistake 6 Not following instructionsAs I previously mentioned, some employers, especially those in the healthcare, education, and legal sector, still value a cover letter and will request one in their job description. Do yourself a favor and re-read the job description carefully to provide context to your cover letter dos and donts. Often times the employer will request certain information to be included in the cover letter. The last thing you want to do is ignore this request, as the reader will assume you are not detail-oriented and unable to follow the simplest of instructions.Cover Letter Mistake 7 TyposWhen youre competing against a large pool of candidates for one role, the smallest cover letter mistakes could be used to eliminate you from the pile. These days, weve grown all too reliant on spell-check and autocorrect to edit our communication. Its easy to overlook the small mistakes, such as using higher when you really meant to say hire. Dont let these silly details derail your job application.Follow this simple cover letter tip Reread your cover letter. Then read it again. Then hand it over to a trusted friend. You know, the one that majored in English. If youre looking for some resources to improve your grammar and punctuation, check out Lynne Truss book, Eats, Shoots Leaves The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation, and Woe is I The Grammarphobes Guide to Better English in Plain English by Patricia T. OConner. Theyre great readsCover Letter Mistake 8 Writing a novelIf recruiters spend an average of six seconds scanning your resume before deciding if youre a fit, how long do you think theyll spend reading your cover letter? Heres another set of cover letter dos and donts your cover letter shouldnt be any longer than is necessary to get your points across. And it definitely shouldnt exceed one page.Also, keep its readability in mind. Similar to your resume, try to create white space in your cover letter by avoiding dense blocks of text.Cover Letter Mistake 9 Going off brandWhether youre searching for a new job or managing your career path, its important to pay close attention to how you present your profession al brand to others online, on paper, and face to face. To that end, another cover letter tip is to give itthe same look and feel as your resume. If youre uploading your cover letter as a separate document to an online application, ensure it uses the same header as your resume. Also, make sure the font type, color, and size, the contact information you provide, and even the name you use on both documents remain consistent.Cover Letter Mistake 10 TMIWhile you can use a cover letter to explain an employment gap or your interest in relocating to a new city, dont overshare your personal details with a prospective employer. The recruiter doesnt need to know the gory details of your back surgery or how you had your heart broken and need to find a new city to call home. These extraneous details cant be used as selling points and will only detract from your qualifications and candidacy.Click on the following link for more job application advice.Your resume should be mistake free as well. Is yours? Find out with a free resume review.Recommended ReadingThis Cover Letter Tip Can Double Your Interview RequestsHow to Be a Great Candidate Even if Youre Under-Qualified for the JobHow to Write a Catchy Cover Letter

5 Steps to Finding Your Dream Job

5 Steps to Finding Your Dream Job5 Steps to Finding Your Dream JobThe workday is getting longer as you realize you are not where you want to be in your career.Maybe your workdistributionspolitik is a toxic environment filled with office politics and gossip. Maybe the company mission is lost and you are sick and tired of looking for it.You dread going to work every day and wonder how your life got so far off track. You have hope that there is something better for you out there.Its time to start looking for your dream job.Is it out there? It has to be, right? You have to believe there is a great job out there for you. You deserve a job that is fulfilling and improves your state of being.You deserve a job that you look forward to every day. You deserve a job that fits your goals and allows for balance in your life.You dont have to settleWith a little bit of introspection, visioning, and networking you will be on your way.You will be closer to finding a job that aligns with your passion and provides for what you want in life.Here are 5 steps to get you started in the right direction.1. Steps to begin brainstormingGrab a pen and paper and find a quiet place to sit for about 30 minutes.Create two columnsColumn 1 Write all the things you want in a job.Column 2 Write what you definitely dont want.Start jotting down words and phrases in each column until you have nothing more to write.Do you see a pattern forming? Notice a clear direction?2. How to find your ideal job by digging a little deeperDont be shy. Ask yourself these questions and write down the answersWhat type of job are you looking for?Are you a leader?Do you prefer to work independently?What roles do you see yourself in?What do you need for work/life balance?How important is your daily schedule?Are location and travel important to you?What kind of office culture are you looking for?Do you like a fun environment where you can learn and grow?Is employee engagement important to you?Wrap it up with questions abo ut what the company might offer.What are your salary expectations?How much vacation/personal/sick time do you need?Is an exceptional company sponsored healthcare plan important to you?What about retirement planning?3. How to update your resume to reflect what you wantHighlight the areas that you are most excited about. Search online for keywords that might be missing in your job descriptions.Elaborate on your achievements and success stories. Ask trusted friends/advisors to review your resume.Consider hiring a professional resume writer.Determine what areas need improvement. Consider certifications or more education you might need.4. Ways to utilize your network on LinkedInSearch on LinkedIn to see if you know anyone who works at companies you are interested in.Discreetly let your top connections know you are searching for a new opportunity.Be clear in your messages and confident about your abilities. Communicate what you want, not what you dont want.Stay positive Send thank you mes sages and offer your help when appropriate. You are building valuable relationships.5. How to be efficient in your searchSet aside time every day to commit to your job search.Find a place to work that is comfortable and free from distractions.Follow a plan. Search, apply, follow-up. Keep the lines of communication open.Take the search seriously. This is your most important job.Why you should not get discouraged in a job searchThe job search is a process that takes time. Continue to fine-tune your ideal job description.Work to bring clarity to your professional goals.Every step you take is one step closer to finding happiness and satisfaction in your career. Enjoy the process and celebrate the little things during your job search.Your dream job is out there

Signs the Job Youre Applying for Will Be a Nightmare

Signs the Job Youre Applying for Will Be a NightmareSigns the Job Youre Applying for Will Be a NightmareTheres no guarantee during the interview and application process that youll land a job that fulfills your every need, from salary requirements to fulfilling day-to-day responsibilities. But theres a wide gap between a job thats not quite perfect and one thats an utter nightmare. No one wants a nightmare job. A truly terrible job is more than just a badeanstalt fit - it saps confidence and energy, leaving you frantic for an exit plan. With some jobs, it can be a question of personality and skills. If youre an introvert, for instance, and the job requires attending nightly social events to drive sales, you may never feel comfortable, successful, or happy. Other times, a bad job can be a matter of a negative, undercutting manager, a company in financial trouble, or many other factors. 6 Signs That a Job Will Be a Nightmare If youll lucky, youll never have a role like this during your career. To help increase your luck, keep an eye out for these clues during the interview process that you could be headed to a nightmare job. 1. The Interview Process Is Deeply Disorganized If you have to interview with several executives, its understandable if meetings sometimes need to get moved. Still, ifeveryinterview is rescheduled, or if people are consistently late or unprepared when they meet with you, thats a bad sign. Take note if email responses are always slow or if people are rude in their communications. Just think If the company is this disorganized during the interview process when they are trying to make a good impression, what will it be like when youre employed with the company? 2. You Hear Complaints and People Look Unhappy Its a good idea tocheck on Glassdoorfor employee reviews during the interview process. If theres a theme to the feedback about the company, consider asking your interviewer if the company is aware of the issue, and if theyre addre ssing it. Of course, its easy for zugnglich reviews- particularly semi-anonymous ones- to be negative. So, as well as checking for online impressions, listen during your interview to what people say about the company. Ask potential peers, Whats the company culture like here? Keep an ear out for complaints (particularly ones you hear over and over again). As well, look around the office on your way into the interview to get a sense of the vibe. Is there someone choking back tears in a corner? Can you overhear a conversation, because someones voice is raised? Do the signs in the bathroom seem weirdly accusatory or angry? Maybe people are just having a bad day, but this could also be a clue that morale is low and employees are unhappy. 3. Interviewers Give a Really Hard Sell Its flattering to be wanted. But theres a big difference between an interviewer saying, You seem like a good fit and offering you the job. Be skeptical of on-the-spot job offers Unless the company is very smal l, its odd for there not to be some sort of internal conversation that takes place before a job offer. This could be a sign that the company is a little too desperate and needy (or it could be that they know if they give you time to research the company, you wont turn up anything good). Another thing to watch for? A manager that just doesnt seem compatible with your work style. If your interviewer is disparaging about other employees, for instance, and you know you respond best to thoughtful critiques and cooperative team atmospheres, you may struggle to connect or form a positive working relationship. 4. The Negotiation Process Feels Like Its Happening With an Enemy Everyone wants a deal but if a company offers below-market wages for no reason is a bad sign. Why play such excessive hardball? Will you ever get a raise, or will the company always be stingy? While its natural for candidates to seek the highest possible salary and benefits, and for employers to offer the lowest pos sible amount, the amount the employer offers should still be reasonable. And, ideally, throughout thejob negotiations, you should feel on the same page as a potential employer, and as though youre working toward achieving a resolution that works for both of you. 5. You Just Cant Figure out What Youll Be Responsible For One interviewer tells you that youll need to manage four employees. Another one says you wont have any management responsibilities. Which is it? If its unclear what youll be doing in the role, or if you cant get a consistent response from interviewers, keep asking until you can find out a solid answer. And, if you still cant tell, consider withdrawing your candidacy. Even for a new company or start-up, there should be some clarity about your responsibilities. Otherwise, how can you- or your managerknow if youre performing well? Bottom line the job description for the position should be clear, and the way people describe the role should mirror it. Your interviewers should also be able to share details about perks and benefits, and career advancement at the company. 6. High Turnover Its natural for people to move in and out of companies. These days, few people stay with a single company long enough to get a gold watch upon retirement. But, sometimes a company will have a near-exodus. That could be nothing- or it could indicate poor management, a company without a profitable future, or any number of problems. One way to get insight can be to inquire about your predecessor. There are all sorts of reasons the person in the role might have left, but the interviewers response may be revealing.