Here is a comprehensive list of things that you should not do or include with regards to your covering letter. We hope that by including all of the things not to do, that it will help you avoid making mistakes when you’re developing your cover letter. All of the below have been done or are being done in cover letters so do not repeat them too!
- Don’t have spelling or grammar mistakes
- Don’t go beyond one page
- Don’t use jokes
- Don’t rely on auto spell-check
- Don’t just repeat your CV/Resume
- Don’t over use “I”
- Don’t just copy a template or someone else’s
- Never say why you need the job
- Don’t lie or embellish over your skills/experiences & achievements
- Don’t use logos, pictures, borders to enhance letter
- Not researching companies
- Never use slang, abbreviations or text language
- Don’t state what company can do for you
- Don’t use famous quotes
- Don’t start with your name as it already on your CV/Resume
- Never state what you lack for job or apologise for it
- Don’t explain why you left your last job
- Don’t badmouth old boss/co-workers
- Don’t waffle
- Don’t have anything longer than 3-4 paragraphs
- Don’t attach it to email
- Don’t provide irrelevant information
- Don’t exclude information they’ve specifically asked for
- Don’t rush doing your cover letter