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The Pongo Blog

13 Cover Letter Do's and Don'ts

July 07, 2010 (11:30AM) by Brianna Raymond, CPRW

Cover letters can be the deciding factor between getting called for an interview or being passed up for another candidate who submitted something better. To make sure your cover letter helps you land the interview, keep these do's and don’ts in mind when you're writing:

  • Do create a personalized cover letter for every company and position.
  • Do take the time to find out the hiring manager's name, and open the letter with a proper greeting.
  • Do identify the position you're applying for, including the job code or reference number (if there is one).
  • Do maintain a confident, enthusiastic tone.
  • Do proofread repeatedly (typos and grammatical mistakes are a huge turn-off)!
  • Do ask someone you trust to critique and proofread your cover letter.
  • Do end with a statement of intent (e.g., I will be in touch on Tuesday to discuss the possibility of an interview).

     
  • Don't go beyond one page. In most cases, three or four paragraphs are enough to tell your story.
  • Don't try to be cute. Humor is subjective; it can make you seem unprofessional rather than personable.
  • Don't resort to cliches, exaggerations, or false flattery.
  • Don’t assume spell-check will catch all errors!
  • Don't simply repeat claims you made in your resume. Instead, highlight the most impressive accomplishments from your resume and describe the story behind them.
  • Don't forget to change the recipient's name and company name for each cover letter you write!

Can you think of anything else that belongs on this list? Leave it in a comment!

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Comments (8)

I am going for a teaching job and there are 2 different grades that I could apply for at the same school. Can I mention both positions or is that something I wait to discuss in the interview?

Posted by: Lynda | July 21, 2010 at 8:22 PM | Quote This Comment

I really need to get a job and I am willing to relocate.

Posted by: Carolyn D. Skinner | July 21, 2010 at 8:34 PM | Quote This Comment

Re: including a name in the proper greeting -- I've started to apply for some jobs with online applications. One had a way to attach a resume and cover letter with the application, but there is no way to determine anyone's name from the job posting (it's a university, and there is no identifying information beyond the job requirements and responsibilities). What's the back-up plan? Thanks!

Posted by: Alex | July 21, 2010 at 10:56 PM | Quote This Comment

I am very eager to be employed and willing to relocate.

Posted by: J | July 22, 2010 at 11:29 PM | Quote This Comment

Hey Alex: I would recommend researching the job and university to figure out who will be reading your letter. You can call someone in the department that's listing the job opening and simply ask for the name of the person who will be reviewing applications. Taking this extra step will put you ahead of the rest of the applicants who don't bother to find the name. Here's a blog post to explain why this is a good idea: http://www.pongoresume.com/blogPosts/118/5-ways-to-screw-up-your-cover-letter-greeting.cfm

Posted by: Brianna | July 26, 2010 at 10:22 AM | Quote This Comment

Hi Alex, I've had this situation myself. If you can't find out prior to applying using Brianna's advice, my advice would be apply online and then follow it up. Quite often when you apply online you get an automated response from the recipient which gives you their name. My tactic was to then tailor the covering letter to address it to that person and email it directly to them saying "I applied online and wanted to ensure my application was received". It gives you the opportunity to address them personally, sets you apart from people who just applied online. It worked, it's how I got my current job! Or if they wouldn't give you a name when you called prior to applying, they might be more willing to if you say you've already sent your CV and want feedback.

Posted by: Katherine | November 09, 2010 at 10:38 AM | Quote This Comment

"Funny. As someone who reviewed thousands of resumes in my prior position, I found it irritating when someone sent their resume through mulitple channels or followed up to confirm receipt. I thought of them as a PEST. It certainly didn't improve their chances of getting an interview."

@Jennifer B

I'm glad you commented, because there are always two sides to every story, as they say.

A lot depends on the person's attitude when following up -- if the candidate acts entitled to an interview, then that's annoying. But a job seeker who really is interested in the job and wants to leave no stone unturned, in most cases, won't be penalized.

I would imagine a lot of things would become bothersome after reviewing thousands of resumes! I hope you've found more satisfaction in your new role.

Thanks again for the comment!

Julie

Posted by: Julie O'Malley, CPRW | December 29, 2010 at 3:10 PM | Quote This Comment

Funny. As someone who reviewed thousands of resumes in my prior position, I found it irritating when someone sent their resume through mulitple channels or followed up to confirm receipt. I thought of them as a PEST. It certainly didn't improve their chances of getting an interview.

Posted by: Jennifer B | December 29, 2010 at 3:28 PM | Quote This Comment

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