Cover letters are perhaps the most daunting job search-related document, and for good reason. They are highly customized, so a one-size-fits-all formula doesn't really work. Because they are so particular, they also require a great deal of revising for each position you apply to. Yet a cover letter is the first "writing sample" a potential employer will see, so the writing must be impeccable. This week, I will address the top five mistakes that I commonly see in cover letters. Take care to avoid these pitfalls in your cover letter, and you will be well on your way to an effective cover letter.
Mistake
#1: The letter is too long. You may be
surprised to find out that the ideal length for a cover letter is two or three short
paragraphs, and no more than 2/3 of a page in length total. You might think that you have a lot of important
things to say, but if your cover letter is longer than 2/3 of a page, it won't
matter what you say because the employer almost certainly will not read
it. Keep in mind that employers do not
"read" cover letters so much as "skim" them. A short cover letter is easier to skim; the
employer likely won't even bother to skim long cover letter. Keep it short and sweet, and there's a
greater chance it will be read.
Mistake
#2: Repeating your resume in the cover letter.
Your cover letter should not contain a list of your credentials and
experience. That's what your resume is
for. The cover letter should highlight
one or two important accomplishments or skills that will entice the reader to
want to look at your resume.
Mistake
#3: Stating "soft skills" without backing them up. For example, one cover letter I reviewed
recently contained the following sentence: "I am a respectful,
outgoing person with good problem-solving skills and I work well both as a
member of a team and independently."
This is a very weak sentence to put in a cover letter, as there is no
data to back up these assertions. A much
more effective strategy would be to choose one of those skills (the most
relevant to the position you are applying for) and elaborate on it, providing
evidence that supports your assertion that you have that skill. For example, it would be better to say,
"In my position with XYZ Firm, I frequently acted as a point of contact
between the firm and clients, counterparties, and co-counsel. As a result, I became a very effective
communicator, able to foster positive working relationships among parties with
widely diverging interests."
Mistake #4: Making grammatical or spelling errors. You should think of your cover letter as a
writing sample. Your cover letter should
reflect your very best writing, and should demonstrate to an employer your ability
to communicate effectively. The employer
will see this as an example of how they can expect you to communicate with
clients once you are hired. If you are
not a native English speaker, find someone who is to review your
grammar/spelling.
Mistake #5: Not researching the recipient. Do not assume anything about the
recipient. Research and verify
everything. For example, if you state
that you want to do real estate work, make sure the firm has a thriving real
estate practice in the office to which you are applying. I have also seen people refer to the firm
incorrectly. For example, if you are
writing in regard to a position at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, you should
not refer to them in the letter as "Davis." If you look on their website, you will see
that the shorthand way that they refer to themselves is "Davis Polk,"
never just "Davis." Be aware of your assumptions and verify them!
Thanks for sharing.
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