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Here’s a newsflash: Cover
letters work, plain and simple.
This is why I’m intrigued by
the fact that a) jobseekers rarely submit them and b) hiring
managers seldom read them. As a result, I started asking
questions. Specifically, “What’s your problem with cover
letters?” Here’s what I found
out.
Jobseekers claim all the
pertinent information is included in the resume.
Translation: “I don’t know how to write an effective cover
letter so I just scrap it.” Hiring managers say cover
letters serve no purpose. Translation: “Jobseekers don’t
know how to write an effective cover letter so I’d just as
soon not be bothered.”
Top 3 Reasons Most Cover
Letters Don’t Work
1.
The
one-size-fits-all method.
Hiring managers are extremely
jealous. Although they are aware you are courting other
companies, they want to know that you at least care enough
to hide it.
Solution:
Avoid form letters. Instead, customize each letter with the
hiring organization and the position in mind.
2. I want, I need, I must
have. Me, me, me.
That is the approach many
candidates take when writing their own cover letter. This
self-centered approach, without a doubt, backfires every
time.
Solution:
Focus the letter on how you can benefit the hiring
organization.
3. Taking a “pretty please”
approach.
No one wants to hire a desperate jobseeker.
Solution:
The tone of the cover letter must be kept on a professional
level.
Cover Letters Can Win Job
Interviews
Persuasive, targeted, and
commercial-like cover letters fare well. And that is exactly
what a cover letter is—a commercial, starring your
experience.
Download one
of our cover letter guides today!
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