There are a few things that you should never include in your cover letter. Here are some things to watch out for.
1. Typos or mistakes
Always remember to do a spellcheck on your cover letter. It will even be better to get someone else to read it and point out any mistakes or confusing things that doesn’t make sense.
For instance use people you could ask to read your cover letter include friends, family members, your careers teacher or a careers counsellor at your university or TAFE.
Double-check everything in your cover letter. If you mention a company’s name, make sure you spell it right. If you mention places you’ve worked at before, make sure you spell their names right, too.
2. Including your whole resume in your cover letter
Don’t cut and paste your resume into your cover letter. Try to re-word the information in your resume, rather than just repeating it. Keep your cover letter short and let your resume tell the whole story about you and your work history.
3. Using ‘I’ too much
Try not to over use phrases like ‘I believe’, ‘I have’ and ‘I am’. Remember, it’s not about you – it’s about how you can help the employer.
Once you’ve written your cover letter, read over it, and try to take out or rewrite as many sentences that start with ‘I’ as you can.
4. Don’t mention your other job applications
If you’re applying for more than one job at a time, it’s best not to mention other job applications. Your letter should aim to convince the employer that you really want this job.
Even though most employers will assume you’re applying for more than one job, you don’t need to mention it.
