Cover letter errors can sink your job prospects
To avoid making critical mistakes when applying for a job, have your resumé proofread by a professional.
On average, an employer spends 10 to 20 seconds scanning a prospective hire’s cover letter. If you want to increase your chances of attracting a recruiter’s attention, limit the length of your resumé to two pages at the most, and avoid making any of the following four critical mistakes.
1. Sending in a rough draft of your cover
letter and resume
A resumé that’s riddled with errors can only lead to one outcome: rejection! To capture a potential employer’s attention and make a good impression, ensure the information presented is clear, concise and well written, without sounding too boastful. To increase your chances even further, have your cover letter and resumé proofread by a professional.
2. Detailing your
entire career path
It’s not necessary to include every single past work experience on your resumé. Ideally, you only want to mention those that directly relate to the position you’re interested in. The same goes for prior tasks and responsibilities; stay concise by only detailing those that align with the requirements described in the job posting.
3. Elaborating on
your personal life
Employers do not need to know about your passion for gardening, hiking or reading. Likewise, it isn’t necessary to indicate your age, date of birth, marital status or other similar personal information on your resumé; in fact, this could actually hinder your chances. And what about including a professional headshot? Bad idea. (Unless you’re sending your resumé to casting agencies, of course.)
4. Omitting a cover letter
Your resumé should always be accompanied by a short cover letter stipulating your interest in the available position. In certain cases, failing to do so can lead recruiters to immediately terminate your candidacy. Remember, there’s no reward for laziness!