4 Ways Your Cover Letter Made You Lose The Job

Cover Letter Tips

By Kennedy Omondi,

Recruiters in most cases will determine from the cover letter whether or not to go through a CV. This is because the cover letter forms the platform on which he/she sells himself to the employer.

The same way a cover letter can secure you a job is the same way it can cost you one as well.

Here are some pointers on how this is possible:

Cover Letter Mistakes To Avoid

1. You Regurgitated Your CV
Your cover letter is meant to complement your resume and not reiterate it. Therefore, it would not make sense for you as an applicant to copy the skills in your CV and repeating them in your cover letter.

A job application is supposed to be a representation of you as a well-rounded potential employee, so aim to convey a variety of pertinent information.

Instead of just repeating yourself (“I was in charge of reviewing invoice disputes”), use your cover letter to describe additional details that you weren’t able to fit into the single page of your resume: “By resolving invoice disputes, I gained a deep analytical knowledge.”

2. You Used a Generalized Version.
Just like the CV, each cover letter should be customized and structured in their own way to suit the desires of the job one is applying for.

Composing a unique cover letter for each job you apply for is therefore fundamental. For example a cover letter addressed as ‘Dear sir/madam’ when the name/gender of the recipient is availed indicates a generalized cover letter.

Write a cover letter that’s specific to the job and company you’re applying to, explaining why you’re interested in that particular position.

3. You Highlighted Your Weaknesses.

When making an application to a job and do not meet part of the requirements, you should not reflect this in the cover letter as this is a document that is supposed to sell you to the potential employer rather than spoil your chances. This should be left for the recruiters to determine from the CV.

This means you don’t need to begin your letter by stating, “I know I don’t actually have any coding experience or know much about computers, but…” Focus on explaining how your past experience—regardless of how unrelated it may seem—will translate to this new role.

4. You Focused on What the Company Can Do for You.
Recruiters want to see what a potential employee would do for her company rather than what the job would do for you. This includes the unique skills and expertise you’d bring to the team and how you’ll help the company grow and succeed.

Shows how your enthusiasm will directly benefit the company. For example, one could say, “My thorough understanding of your company’s background and mission means that I can jump in and make contributions to your marketing team right away.” Rather than “I’ve wanted to work for your company since I was little and it would be my dream job.”

Remember that the cover letter is your selling point to future employer and therefore emphasis should be put on its development.