JOB SEARCH TIPS Sample Cover Letters: First Impressions Count – Avoid Common Cover Letter Mistakes

While companies always require applicants to submit letters and resumes, many still believe that the letter is merely a formality light. Sometimes it does not bother to send a letter to all or just one paragraph notes, quickly belted with little reflection.

When you send a letter of the poor, which sends the message that you can not do the job, even if the quality is essential. Unless you like sitting around the house evade the bill collectors call, not the kind of message you are sending.

Too short is too bad

Many people send one paragraph, two- or three-sentence throwaway notes in place of real cover letters. Or, they confuse the Cover Letter with a dashed-off note, such as the fax coversheet. A cover letter should have three to four paragraphs, no paragraphs of over six lines long, with the longest one being the middle one or two, and the shortest one being the final, summation paragraph. The idea is to make the document brief and easily readable while still demonstrating a professional, thoughtful manner.

Silliness

In attempt to let their personality and humor soak through the cotton-bound paper, many applicants try to make their cover letters funny. But these attempts rarely work. You have no way of knowing if your prospective boss shares your sense of humor. More broadly speaking, the cover letter offers a sample of your ability to conduct business-like communications. Clowning around can disguise your professionalism.

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