your well-written resume – TP Javeton WebNet

Cover letter errors: Fixable!

It may surprise you to learn that most mistakes in the cover letter that accompanies a resume are made in the address line; and while many professionals spend extra time to revise their cover letter in an effort to make sure it is personalized to the position for which they are applying, they seem to disregard a very important and prominent area of that letter, which is its address line.

This can be very problematic since the address line in a cover letter is the first piece of information a potential employer sees in that resume package. Think about it in the sense that if mistakes are made in the address line, it is very likely that the potential employer will discard your letter and you will lose an opportunity to be considered a candidate for the job you really want.

However, there is good news: these errors can be avoided, and in the following paragraphs we discuss a few frequently repeated errors, as well as items which should be added, deleted or corrected before that cover letter is sent to a potential employer along with your well-written resume.

To whom the letter is addressed

Not addressing your cover letter to a person is a big mistake in the world of cover letters, as generic greetings such as, “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Human Resources Team,” are not looked upon favorably; and if the job description or posting does not include a contact person, it will be necessary to do a little research and find out who the appropriate contact person is for the job you are seeking. In addition, you must avoid addressing the letter to a job title.

You can call the organization or send an email to the human resource department to find out exactly who the hiring manager or the job recruiter is, and address the cover letter directly to that person. However, if you find it futile or impossible to find out who the appropriate contact is, you should simply take the most recommended course of action by leaving off any kind of generic greetings and simply begin the cover letter.

Spelling of the organization name

Misspelling the name of an organization to which you are applying for a job is really a bit careless and should not happen; but unfortunately is occurs more frequently than you would expect; and even if the cover letter is being addressed to a specific person, it is important (it’s recommended) that the company name and address be still included in the cover letter. So it is a definite plus to always make sure that the company name is spelled correctly.

Hiring managers and recruiters know from experience that misspelling the company name is a common mistake, but they also know that it’s the easiest one to avoid; so triple-check the company name on your cover letter, because if your potential employer receives the letter with an incorrect spelling of his/her company name, your letter will never make it past the first person who receives it. Let’s face it, an incorrect spelling of a company name, essentially makes that company the wrong addressee, right? Think about it!

Immediately stating your purpose

Make sure your first sentence explains why you are contacting the company, because if it doesn’t the reader might choose not to read any further. This is a common mistake, as many people assume that stating why they’re contacting the company regarding employment is unnecessary due to the fact that it is already stated on their resume.

However, this is not the case, so let your potential employer know exactly why you are contacting them; and identify the job you are interested in by stating its title, as well as and how your qualifications make you an ideal candidate for it.

Your first statement needs to be straight forward, energetic, and positive; and it should invite the employer to read through your cover letter in its entirety. Keep in mind that bland and generic opening statements will most likely result in disinterest on the part of your potential employer, and your resume will not get pass the first review.

Since the goal of a cover letter is to create interest in your resume and, by extension, in you as a candidate for the available position, to not insure that your cover letter is professional and error-free will defeat your purpose of sending it in the first place.

Honesty conveyed in a resume

In addition to having your professional life presented in a way that reflects the best of your skills, education and other qualification elements, it is important to make sure that your resume and cover letter showcase your ethics and sincerity as well; because that resume document which you worked so hard to get right is a reflection of who you are. So when you compose your well-written resume, make sure there are no errors or gaps that would raise questions or leave open to misinterpretation, exactly what you are attempting to convey.

Additionally, while highlighting those qualifications that present you as the best candidate for the job, make sure that you include any credentials, certificates/licenses (where applicable) or specific language which could convey to your potential employer that you are a polished, detail-oriented professional who is also trustworthy, capable and reliable. Of course, doing all these things can be a difficult task, since the conveyance of honesty coupled with good intentions in a form letter and a resume is not an easy thing to do.

However, many employers keep a strict no tolerance policy against dishonesty, and therefore you will have to take extra care in making sure that all the information on your resume is authentic and truthful. Intentionally lying on a resume is not acceptable, but there are certain areas of your resume that may cause you to unintentionally list incorrect information; so pay close attention to the following aspects of your resume so that you can avoid giving your potential employer the impression that you are untruthful.

Avoiding unwanted interpretations

List your exact title under professional experience, because many professionals have titles that are company specific and therefore might not make sense outside of the organization where they work; so always list your exact title, but feel free to add a few words that explain what your responsibilities were in relation to the overall industry. This way, when your potential employer calls your employer for a reference check, they will confirm your exact title, but also understand the scope of your position as it applies outside of that specific organization.

When in doubt do not guess, because that could lead to unwanted interpretations and conclusions by a potential employer. For example, if you are unsure when you started or ended a job due to the length of time that has elapsed since you worked for that company, simply call the company and ask about your employment dates. Do not make assumptions about dates or titles of your references; and don’t take liberties with their contact information, certification dates, or any other pertinent information. Always take the time to verify any information you are unsure of before including it on your resume.

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Truthfully & adroitly filling employment gaps

It makes no sense to cover up your employment gaps, so don’t commit this unforced error, since having gaps in employment on a resume has certainly been done before and is therefore something that a potential; employer will understand. Many professionals have gaps in their experience for various reasons, but they don’t try to hide this from potential employers. So simply address any work history gaps in your cover letter, and be honest regarding the reasons you were not working during a specific period.

Be honest about your accomplishments, since it is futile to try and reinvent yourself by citing events, completed tasks and activities that never took place. Rather than worrying about the qualifications you may not have, be confident in those you do have and highlight your work experience and achievements in a truthful manner. Do not exaggerate skills, professional roles, or stretch the employment dates. Work on presenting yourself and your qualifications in the best possible light.

What a functional resume looks like!

Developing a comfort level with your resume

Take the time to quantify your accomplishments, and compose a positive professional summary for your resume; and revise the document until you feel comfortable that all the information included is truthful and will not raise any questions by a potential employer that you have not addressed in the resume or accompanying cover letter. The rule is: be honest on your resume; so by no means should you include any information that breaks that rule.