6 styles of cover letters that are better to avoid

The cover letter is probably the most hated by applicants document that they must create to apply for a job. To many candidates it seems unnecessary, and many also have a problem with writing it in such a way as to encourage the employer to contact. It is also very easy to make mistakes in this document that will cause our CV to be rejected. Especially if our frustration, disappointment or discouragement pierces through him. What “styles” of cover letters to avoid and what to watch out for?

1. Too funny

Humor has great strength and can break stereotypes or bring people together. However, if we try to joke with someone we don’t know, the case can be a bit risky – each of us has a slightly different sense of humor and we need a great talent to be able to make people laugh.

Sometimes cover letters are written by candidates with a certain “humorous eagerness” – if you really have comic talent, and what you wrote is matched to the position, it’s great, but joking in the letter can end in disaster. Especially if you miss the employer’s sense of humor. One makes you laugh and the other thinks you’re not serious.

2. Too creative

Creativity is a trait desired by employers. However, you need to be creative. Some techniques do not match specific positions or positions. If you want to be creative, refer to the company, its mission, products (e.g., a cover letter printed on a juice carton will be great for the FMCG company that produces them, but it’s bad if you send a CV to an audit company).

 

If you do not want your letter to be too creative, avoid quirks, excessive fantasizing, too much color and poetry. Be creative if you think that the position you apply for allows it, but adjust the level of creativity to the position so as not to fall into exaggeration or ridicule.

3. Too tearful

“I’ve been looking for a job for half a year and nobody writes back. I am asking for employment and giving me a chance ”- such sentences can be found in many cover letters. Do they work No – they only show a depressed, desperate candidate with low self-esteem. The employer’s goal is profit. Will he hire someone who can’t make a profit for himself? Unfortunately not.

 

If you do not want your letter to sound tearful, avoid any wording that says how much time you are looking for a job and how desperate you are. Don’t ask for a job! Don’t feel sorry for yourself! Don’t beg for a full-time job! Think about what the employer will gain by hiring you and write about it.

4. Too honest

“I don’t like working in sales, but I need some extra money”, “I got fired from my last job, that’s why I’m looking for a new one,” “I’m looking for a job for a while, because I want to pay for my studies”, “I don’t have any experience yet, so I thought I’d write to you “- such sentences are not that rare. It sometimes seems to the candidates that honesty can be invigorating for the employer and thus they will pay attention to the candidate. And so it is in reality. The problem is when honesty exceeds the thresholds of profitability of employment from the employer’s perspective. Will he then want to meet the candidate who is openly saying that he can do nothing? Or with one who is looking for a job for only a month? Not necessarily.

If you do not want your cover letter to sound too honest, avoid any wording that shows that you are not involved and interested in working. This also applies to incorrect addressing of the letter. Do not write about the fact that you want to earn some extra money, you have been fired or you do not like working in the industry in which the company is operating.

5. Too self-centered

“I am interested in this job because I want to develop and learn”, “I want to gain experience and be able to achieve my professional goals”, “I want a job that will give me good conditions and interesting challenges”, “I think that your company responds my needs “- all these sentences testify to the self-centeredness of the candidate. The employer only learns from them what the candidate thinks he will gain from being employed. And what will the employer gain? The potential boss is not about doing you well. His goal is to do good to the company because you will work hard and effectively. What do you think – will he be more willing to employ a person who wants a job to grow, or one who wants a job because he thinks that his experience will contribute to the development of the company?

If you do not want your cover letter to be too self-centered, avoid describing what you will get from your work. Focus on what your employer will gain.

6. Too childish

The mistake made mainly by the youngest participants of the labor market, who do not yet have too many successes to which they can boast, do not know what they expect from the employer and how they can actually contribute to the success of the company. Childlike style includes areas such as promising pears on willow and focusing on unrelated traits. It reminds a little of the messages the child gives, e.g. “I promise that I will be polite if you buy this cake for me”, that is, “If you hire me, I promise that I will quickly implement and be a diligent employee.”

Thank you for Reading

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