Cover letters are the first impression you give to a prospective employer. To write an effective cover letter, it's important to tailor your resume to each job opening. That means that every time you apply for a new position, you have the opportunity to stand out from other candidates by writing something unique and tailored just for them.
However, there are some common mistakes that many people make on their applications that could be holding them back. Here are 12 reasons why your application might not be getting any response:
1) You didn't follow instructions.
Most employers want specific information like salary requirements or what type of work experience you're looking for in order for someone else (like HR) to decide if they should forward your resume along; then they want you to state your objective in the first paragraph. The employer may have also asked you to include keywords, so do some research on what they are so that you can include them in your resume.
2) You sent a generic cover letter.
If it's clear that someone didn't put much thought into their cover letter, an employer might not even bother reading the resume. Tailor your letter to each and every job opening that you apply for — it will show that you're serious about the opportunity.
3) You don't use spell-check.
Typos and grammatical errors are not only unprofessional, but they also make it seem like you didn't take the time to write a quality job application letter. Spell-check and have someone else read your letter for mistakes.
4) You included too much information.
Keep it concise and relevant to the position you're applying for. If an employer wants to know more about you, they'll ask in an interview.
5) You didn't research the company.
Showing an employer that you're passionate about what they do can definitely set you apart from other applicants.
6) You were too formal.
Even though your cover letter is not a friendly reminder to do laundry, it shouldn't read like a newspaper article either. Speak to the employer as if you're having a casual conversation with them over coffee.
7) You included your personal information.
Too much information can make an employer decide not to reach out to you. Keep it professional and put the employer's needs first; that will show them that you're using common sense.
8) You were too vague.
It only takes a few sentences before someone's eyes start glazing over with generic information. If you have an experience or education that sets you apart, choose a few for your letter so the employer knows what to expect when they read your resume. If you apply for several positions with different qualifications under one cover letter, it may look like you don't know what job is best suited for you and you're just applying anywhere.
9) You didn't include your contact information.
This seems like a no-brainer, but it's an easy mistake to make. An employer may never contact you because they can't find out how to get in touch with you.
10) There was no call to action.
At the end of every good cover letter is a call to action that tells the reader that you want an interview. If you don't ask for one, how will they know?
11) You used big words.
Don't assume that everyone knows what every single word in your letter means; show instead of telling when possible and spell out unfamiliar terms or phrases. This way, the employer gets the message you were trying to send instead of getting confused because they thought one word meant something else.
12) Your letter didn't match your resume.
If the employer wants someone with a certain amount of experience, don't tell them that you're up for any challenge. Instead, highlight experiences that show that you've met or exceeded their expectations.
One great tip when making cover letters is to also make them visually appealing. Using cover letter templates from Venngage can help you do that. Venngage is an online infographic maker that provides a wide range of free cover letter templates. Here are some cover letter examples from their page.
