Most hiring managers these days face a stack of qualified resumes for every open position they have, and the cover letter is a good chance to stand out in a personal way. Use the opportunity to tout your skills, not your ego, and you stand a better chance at surviving the first cut.
Photo by Rachel Hinman.
Over at Wise Bread, a number of hiring managers chime in about things they hate seeing in cover letters. One points out you should avoid claiming you’re the “ideal candidate”, because you haven’t seen the applicant pool. Another suggests you shouldn’t play up that you’re a “hard worker”, because it implies you may substitute learning and improvement for raw effort. Stick to the facts and your motivations, they say, and avoid trying to sound larger than life.
It sounds like solid advice, but we hear a lot of what to exclude from your cover letter or resume. What do you make a point to include in yours? Share your tips in the comments.
Stupid Things to Put in Your Cover Letter [Wise Bread]
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