Cover Letter and Resume Mistakes That Keep You From Getting the Job
It’s hard enough getting a job but if you’re not taking the necessary steps to draft the best cover letter and resume you can then don’t expect to even get your foot in the door. Companies get tons of applications and resumes for every one job that’s out there and they can’t interview everyone that applies. Most businesses have a very selective process that helps them determine who’s a candidate for a job and it usually comes down to some very simple mistakes that people commonly make with their resumes and cover letters.
Use the Correct Format:
Far too many people use a cut and paste approach to drafting these documents. Often the information is incomplete and not in the proper format. There are specific formats for most jobs out there so look online to see examples for your specific area of interest. It’s important that, once you find the right cover letter and resume, you don’t simply mock exactly what’s written in the template. The chances are many others have already done this.
Avoid Writing A Novel:
A cover letter should be no longer than one page. The same goes for your resume. You may have a lot you want to say but if it takes you the length of a novel to get your message across it’s likely your resume will end up in the wastebasket. Your cover letter should have no more than three to four concise but convincing paragraphs that are easy to read. Proofread it and avoid grammatical errors. If you can’t express yourself intelligently and thoughtfully you’re not going to even get an interview.
Recycling Your Material
There aren’t enough jobs to go around and few professions have weathered the most recent economic storm as well as trade professions like nursing and pharmacy technicians. In any profession, it’s important to stand out. Using the same cover letter for every job or company just shows a prospective employer that you have a one-size-fits-all approach. Be specific in your paperwork and address the job’s specific concerns and desires. Don’t just make it about you. Your resume and cover letter should be about the company as much as it’s about your specific qualifications.
Look at each job you’re applying for as a unique opportunity that demands a specific and tailored approach that will best fit the position in question. Not taking these steps is the fastest way to go unnoticed. You may be the best candidate for the job but if you’re not taking the time and patience for the steps necessary, no one will ever know.
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