Ten Cover Letter Don'ts
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by Kim Isaacs
Your cover letter is the first thing employers see when they open your materials. Avoid these 10 mistakes, and make your first impression an impressive and lasting one.
Don't Overuse "I."
Your cover letter is not your autobiography. The focus should be on how you meet an employer's needs, not on your life story. Avoid the perception of being self-centered by minimising your use of the word "I," especially at the beginning of your sentences.
Don't Use a Weak Opening.
Job seekers frequently struggle with the question of how to begin a cover letter. What results is often a feeble introduction lacking punch and failing to grab the reader's interest. Consider this example:
Weak: Please consider me for your sales representative opening.
Better: Your need for a top-performing sales representative is an excellent match to my three-year history as a number one-ranked, multimillion-pound producer.
