dick gaither ’ s job search training systems, inc. p (800) 361-1613 p over 85% of employers...

Dick Gaither’s Job Search Training Systems, Inc.(800) 361-1613www.wizardsofwork.com

Over 85% Of Employers Surveyed Say Over 85% Of Employers Surveyed Say The Cover Letter Is Important Or Very Important!The Cover Letter Is Important Or Very Important!

Over 85% Of Employers Surveyed Say Over 85% Of Employers Surveyed Say The Cover Letter Is Important Or Very Important!The Cover Letter Is Important Or Very Important!


1.1. Visual impact mistakesVisual impact mistakes

2.2. Style mistakesStyle mistakes

3.3. Mismatch mistakesMismatch mistakes

4.4. Research mistakesResearch mistakes

5.5. Grammatical mistakesGrammatical mistakes

6.6. Detail mistakesDetail mistakes

1.1. Visual impact mistakesVisual impact mistakes

2.2. Style mistakesStyle mistakes

3.3. Mismatch mistakesMismatch mistakes

4.4. Research mistakesResearch mistakes

5.5. Grammatical mistakesGrammatical mistakes

6.6. Detail mistakesDetail mistakes

7.7. Interest creation mistakesInterest creation mistakes

8.8. Personalization mistakesPersonalization mistakes

9.9. Pre-delivery mistakesPre-delivery mistakes

10.10. Post-delivery mistakesPost-delivery mistakes

11.11. Employer response mistakesEmployer response mistakes

12.12. Just plain dumb mistakesJust plain dumb mistakes

7.7. Interest creation mistakesInterest creation mistakes

8.8. Personalization mistakesPersonalization mistakes

9.9. Pre-delivery mistakesPre-delivery mistakes

10.10. Post-delivery mistakesPost-delivery mistakes

11.11. Employer response mistakesEmployer response mistakes

12.12. Just plain dumb mistakesJust plain dumb mistakes


• Unprofessional appearanceUnprofessional appearance

• Doesn’t use appropriate Doesn’t use appropriate business form, structure or business form, structure or design.design.

• Unprofessional appearanceUnprofessional appearance

• Doesn’t use appropriate Doesn’t use appropriate business form, structure or business form, structure or design.design.


• Uses colored, bordered or Uses colored, bordered or background scenery stationery. background scenery stationery.

• Use white or ivory paper.Use white or ivory paper.

• Uses colored, bordered or Uses colored, bordered or background scenery stationery. background scenery stationery.

• Use white or ivory paper.Use white or ivory paper.


• Inappropriate paper quality. Inappropriate paper quality.

• Good quality bond, yes. Good quality bond, yes.

• Parchment paper may be over the Parchment paper may be over the top.top.

• Inappropriate paper quality. Inappropriate paper quality.

• Good quality bond, yes. Good quality bond, yes.

• Parchment paper may be over the Parchment paper may be over the top.top.


• Mismatched, missized envelopes.• Mismatched, missized envelopes.


• Poor typed appearance.

• Columns don’t line up, bullets misspaced.

• Poor typed appearance.

• Columns don’t line up, bullets misspaced.


• Printed or handwritten. Printed or handwritten.

• Demonstrates lack of computer Demonstrates lack of computer and keyboard skills.and keyboard skills.

• Printed or handwritten. Printed or handwritten.

• Demonstrates lack of computer Demonstrates lack of computer and keyboard skills.and keyboard skills.


• Sloppy corrections.Sloppy corrections.

• Retype if there’s anything Retype if there’s anything forgotten or needs redoing...no forgotten or needs redoing...no notes, white out.notes, white out.

• Sloppy corrections.Sloppy corrections.

• Retype if there’s anything Retype if there’s anything forgotten or needs redoing...no forgotten or needs redoing...no notes, white out.notes, white out.


• Poor use of white space, Poor use of white space, margins too tight, leading too margins too tight, leading too small. small.

• 1/2” - 1” margins, normal 1/2” - 1” margins, normal leading.leading.

• Poor use of white space, Poor use of white space, margins too tight, leading too margins too tight, leading too small. small.

• 1/2” - 1” margins, normal 1/2” - 1” margins, normal leading.leading.


• Justified both right and left. Justified both right and left.

• Use left justification and Use left justification and ragged right edge.ragged right edge.

• Justified both right and left. Justified both right and left.

• Use left justification and Use left justification and ragged right edge.ragged right edge.


• Typeface is too small or too Typeface is too small or too fancy. fancy.

• Use 10 pt. or higher, common Use 10 pt. or higher, common font - Helvetica, Times, etc.font - Helvetica, Times, etc.

• Typeface is too small or too Typeface is too small or too fancy. fancy.

• Use 10 pt. or higher, common Use 10 pt. or higher, common font - Helvetica, Times, etc.font - Helvetica, Times, etc.


• Relies on gimmicks to draw attention. Relies on gimmicks to draw attention. – Binders, unusual typefaces, videos, Binders, unusual typefaces, videos,

telegram, etc.telegram, etc.

• Use of cute phrases. Use of cute phrases. – (My name is Rich. I’d fit right into (My name is Rich. I’d fit right into

the finance dept.)the finance dept.)

• Relies on gimmicks to draw attention. Relies on gimmicks to draw attention. – Binders, unusual typefaces, videos, Binders, unusual typefaces, videos,

telegram, etc.telegram, etc.

• Use of cute phrases. Use of cute phrases. – (My name is Rich. I’d fit right into (My name is Rich. I’d fit right into

the finance dept.)the finance dept.)


• Too narrative...no use of bullets to Too narrative...no use of bullets to highlight abilities.highlight abilities. Word Word PowerPoint PowerPoint Quark ExpressQuark Express

• Too long. Too long. – Get their attention in one page or Get their attention in one page or

you’ll never get it!you’ll never get it!

• Too narrative...no use of bullets to Too narrative...no use of bullets to highlight abilities.highlight abilities. Word Word PowerPoint PowerPoint Quark ExpressQuark Express

• Too long. Too long. – Get their attention in one page or Get their attention in one page or

you’ll never get it!you’ll never get it!


• Cliché ridden. Cliché ridden. – I’m a people personI’m a people person– I’ll be an asset to the company I’ll be an asset to the company

• Comes on too strong, knows-it-all.Comes on too strong, knows-it-all.– You’ll never find a better You’ll never find a better

candidate!candidate!

• Cliché ridden. Cliché ridden. – I’m a people personI’m a people person– I’ll be an asset to the company I’ll be an asset to the company

• Comes on too strong, knows-it-all.Comes on too strong, knows-it-all.– You’ll never find a better You’ll never find a better

candidate!candidate!


• Regurgitates the resume. Regurgitates the resume. (Cover (Cover letters should enhance, not repeat the letters should enhance, not repeat the résumé's content.)résumé's content.)

• Using unknown abbreviations. Using unknown abbreviations. (Unless it’s common to the industry it (Unless it’s common to the industry it does little good.)does little good.)

• Regurgitates the resume. Regurgitates the resume. (Cover (Cover letters should enhance, not repeat the letters should enhance, not repeat the résumé's content.)résumé's content.)

• Using unknown abbreviations. Using unknown abbreviations. (Unless it’s common to the industry it (Unless it’s common to the industry it does little good.)does little good.)


• Doesn’t stress a match of skills, Doesn’t stress a match of skills, experience and education to the experience and education to the company or the job demands.company or the job demands.

• Seems more interested in their own Seems more interested in their own needs vs. how they’ll fit into the needs vs. how they’ll fit into the company.company.

• Doesn’t stress a match of skills, Doesn’t stress a match of skills, experience and education to the experience and education to the company or the job demands.company or the job demands.

• Seems more interested in their own Seems more interested in their own needs vs. how they’ll fit into the needs vs. how they’ll fit into the company.company.


• Doesn’t link the needs of company Doesn’t link the needs of company to their own job or career goals. to their own job or career goals.

• Doesn’t read advertisement to Doesn’t read advertisement to insure meeting ad requirements.insure meeting ad requirements.

• Doesn’t link the needs of company Doesn’t link the needs of company to their own job or career goals. to their own job or career goals.

• Doesn’t read advertisement to Doesn’t read advertisement to insure meeting ad requirements.insure meeting ad requirements.


• Demonstrates little knowledge of the Demonstrates little knowledge of the company, field, products or services.company, field, products or services.

• Tries to “buffalo” interviewer with Tries to “buffalo” interviewer with general statements. general statements. (I’m familiar (I’m familiar with your company.)with your company.)

• Demonstrates little knowledge of the Demonstrates little knowledge of the company, field, products or services.company, field, products or services.

• Tries to “buffalo” interviewer with Tries to “buffalo” interviewer with general statements. general statements. (I’m familiar (I’m familiar with your company.)with your company.)


• Isn’t specific about what they found Isn’t specific about what they found out about the company and how out about the company and how they found out about it.they found out about it.

• No future focus. No future focus. (I’ve prepared for (I’ve prepared for the next generation of computerized the next generation of computerized inventory control by...)inventory control by...)

• Isn’t specific about what they found Isn’t specific about what they found out about the company and how out about the company and how they found out about it.they found out about it.

• No future focus. No future focus. (I’ve prepared for (I’ve prepared for the next generation of computerized the next generation of computerized inventory control by...)inventory control by...)


• Includes spelling, grammatical, Includes spelling, grammatical, typo’s and punctuation errors. typo’s and punctuation errors.

• Uses awkward, archaic language, Uses awkward, archaic language, passive voice, past tense. passive voice, past tense.

• Includes spelling, grammatical, Includes spelling, grammatical, typo’s and punctuation errors. typo’s and punctuation errors.

• Uses awkward, archaic language, Uses awkward, archaic language, passive voice, past tense. passive voice, past tense.


• Uses inappropriate pronouns. Uses inappropriate pronouns. (I (I (first person) vs. he/she (third person) (first person) vs. he/she (third person) is preferable)is preferable)

• Overusing the word “I”. Overusing the word “I”.

• Uses inappropriate pronouns. Uses inappropriate pronouns. (I (I (first person) vs. he/she (third person) (first person) vs. he/she (third person) is preferable)is preferable)

• Overusing the word “I”. Overusing the word “I”.


• Wastes space...presents Wastes space...presents personal/irrelevant information. personal/irrelevant information. (My interest are varied, enjoys sports, (My interest are varied, enjoys sports, etc.)etc.)

• Doesn’t specify the type of position Doesn’t specify the type of position being sought. being sought. (Desires a growth (Desires a growth position in your company.)position in your company.)

• Wastes space...presents Wastes space...presents personal/irrelevant information. personal/irrelevant information. (My interest are varied, enjoys sports, (My interest are varied, enjoys sports, etc.)etc.)

• Doesn’t specify the type of position Doesn’t specify the type of position being sought. being sought. (Desires a growth (Desires a growth position in your company.)position in your company.)

The DevilThe DevilIs In The Is In The DetailsDetails



• No indicator of how you found out No indicator of how you found out about the opening? about the opening? (In response to (In response to your 10/13/02 Tribune ad.)your 10/13/02 Tribune ad.)

• Doesn’t include the cover letter Doesn’t include the cover letter recipient’s title. recipient’s title. (Bolivar J. (Bolivar J. Shagnasty, H.R. Director)Shagnasty, H.R. Director)

• No indicator of how you found out No indicator of how you found out about the opening? about the opening? (In response to (In response to your 10/13/02 Tribune ad.)your 10/13/02 Tribune ad.)

• Doesn’t include the cover letter Doesn’t include the cover letter recipient’s title. recipient’s title. (Bolivar J. (Bolivar J. Shagnasty, H.R. Director)Shagnasty, H.R. Director)




• Forgetting to sign the cover letter. Forgetting to sign the cover letter. (Forgetting the small stuff indicates (Forgetting the small stuff indicates lack of attention to detail.)lack of attention to detail.)

• Forgetting the salutation in the Forgetting the salutation in the cover letter.cover letter.

• Forgetting to date the cover letter.Forgetting to date the cover letter.

• Forgetting to sign the cover letter. Forgetting to sign the cover letter. (Forgetting the small stuff indicates (Forgetting the small stuff indicates lack of attention to detail.)lack of attention to detail.)

• Forgetting the salutation in the Forgetting the salutation in the cover letter.cover letter.

• Forgetting to date the cover letter.Forgetting to date the cover letter.




• Doesn’t grab the readers attention Doesn’t grab the readers attention immediately. immediately. (Dull, trite, boring, and (Dull, trite, boring, and uninspiring opening)uninspiring opening)

• Doesn’t present any quantifiable Doesn’t present any quantifiable achievements. achievements. (Saved $40,000 by (Saved $40,000 by improving quality control.)improving quality control.)

• Doesn’t grab the readers attention Doesn’t grab the readers attention immediately. immediately. (Dull, trite, boring, and (Dull, trite, boring, and uninspiring opening)uninspiring opening)

• Doesn’t present any quantifiable Doesn’t present any quantifiable achievements. achievements. (Saved $40,000 by (Saved $40,000 by improving quality control.)improving quality control.)


• Writing tone is problematic. Writing tone is problematic. (Do (Do statements enhance candidacy or statements enhance candidacy or convey any problems?)convey any problems?)

• Misrepresentation, fraud, deceit or Misrepresentation, fraud, deceit or exaggeration. exaggeration. (Everything on paper (Everything on paper must be supportable.)must be supportable.)

• Writing tone is problematic. Writing tone is problematic. (Do (Do statements enhance candidacy or statements enhance candidacy or convey any problems?)convey any problems?)

• Misrepresentation, fraud, deceit or Misrepresentation, fraud, deceit or exaggeration. exaggeration. (Everything on paper (Everything on paper must be supportable.)must be supportable.)


• Making personal demands or Making personal demands or stating preferences. stating preferences. (I’m looking for (I’m looking for a car allowance.)a car allowance.)

• Presenting salary history or salary Presenting salary history or salary requirements. requirements. (Even if an employer (Even if an employer requests it, don’t do it!)requests it, don’t do it!)

• Making personal demands or Making personal demands or stating preferences. stating preferences. (I’m looking for (I’m looking for a car allowance.)a car allowance.)

• Presenting salary history or salary Presenting salary history or salary requirements. requirements. (Even if an employer (Even if an employer requests it, don’t do it!)requests it, don’t do it!)


• Including reference lists, work Including reference lists, work samples, portfolio, etc. samples, portfolio, etc. (Do this only (Do this only if requested!)if requested!)

• Closes weakly...doesn’t request Closes weakly...doesn’t request interview. interview. (I’ll wait eagerly for your (I’ll wait eagerly for your response.)response.)

• Including reference lists, work Including reference lists, work samples, portfolio, etc. samples, portfolio, etc. (Do this only (Do this only if requested!)if requested!)

• Closes weakly...doesn’t request Closes weakly...doesn’t request interview. interview. (I’ll wait eagerly for your (I’ll wait eagerly for your response.)response.)


• Obviously sent out as a computer template, form Obviously sent out as a computer template, form letter, mass e-mailed or mass faxed.letter, mass e-mailed or mass faxed.

• Doesn’t target a real person. Doesn’t target a real person. (To Whom It May (To Whom It May Concern, Dear H/R Director, Dear Sir/Madam)Concern, Dear H/R Director, Dear Sir/Madam)

• Says little about accomplishments or what person Says little about accomplishments or what person expects to achieve in the future.expects to achieve in the future.

• Obviously sent out as a computer template, form Obviously sent out as a computer template, form letter, mass e-mailed or mass faxed.letter, mass e-mailed or mass faxed.

• Doesn’t target a real person. Doesn’t target a real person. (To Whom It May (To Whom It May Concern, Dear H/R Director, Dear Sir/Madam)Concern, Dear H/R Director, Dear Sir/Madam)

• Says little about accomplishments or what person Says little about accomplishments or what person expects to achieve in the future.expects to achieve in the future.


• Using P.O. Box. Using P.O. Box. (May show transiency or (May show transiency or long range job search.)long range job search.)

• Faxing, mailing without specific job Faxing, mailing without specific job opening. opening. (This requires broadcast letters, (This requires broadcast letters, not cover letters.)not cover letters.)

• Using P.O. Box. Using P.O. Box. (May show transiency or (May show transiency or long range job search.)long range job search.)

• Faxing, mailing without specific job Faxing, mailing without specific job opening. opening. (This requires broadcast letters, (This requires broadcast letters, not cover letters.)not cover letters.)


• Doesn’t call to check receipt or follow up Doesn’t call to check receipt or follow up within one week. within one week. (They who hesitate, lose.)(They who hesitate, lose.)

• Accepts first rejection letter as a “real” Accepts first rejection letter as a “real” rejection. rejection. (Real rejection happens only after (Real rejection happens only after interviews.)interviews.)

• Doesn’t call to check receipt or follow up Doesn’t call to check receipt or follow up within one week. within one week. (They who hesitate, lose.)(They who hesitate, lose.)

• Accepts first rejection letter as a “real” Accepts first rejection letter as a “real” rejection. rejection. (Real rejection happens only after (Real rejection happens only after interviews.)interviews.)


• Not having an answering device to catch Not having an answering device to catch calls. calls. (They may only call once.)(They may only call once.)

• Placing an unprofessional message on Placing an unprofessional message on answering machine.answering machine.

• Having young children, teenagers or Having young children, teenagers or parents take messages without being parents take messages without being trained to do so.trained to do so.

• Not having an answering device to catch Not having an answering device to catch calls. calls. (They may only call once.)(They may only call once.)

• Placing an unprofessional message on Placing an unprofessional message on answering machine.answering machine.

• Having young children, teenagers or Having young children, teenagers or parents take messages without being parents take messages without being trained to do so.trained to do so.


• Doesn’t address perceived problems. Doesn’t address perceived problems. (Career changing, job gaps, job hopping, (Career changing, job gaps, job hopping, etc.)etc.)

• Appearing desperate. Appearing desperate. (I’m willing to take (I’m willing to take any position to make my mortgage any position to make my mortgage payments.)payments.)

• Doesn’t address perceived problems. Doesn’t address perceived problems. (Career changing, job gaps, job hopping, (Career changing, job gaps, job hopping, etc.)etc.)

• Appearing desperate. Appearing desperate. (I’m willing to take (I’m willing to take any position to make my mortgage any position to make my mortgage payments.)payments.)


• Presenting weaknesses or shortcoming. Presenting weaknesses or shortcoming. (Even though I have a felony conviction, I (Even though I have a felony conviction, I can still do the job.)can still do the job.)

• Not including applicant’s phone number, Not including applicant’s phone number, pager number, e-mail address, etc.pager number, e-mail address, etc.

• Presenting weaknesses or shortcoming. Presenting weaknesses or shortcoming. (Even though I have a felony conviction, I (Even though I have a felony conviction, I can still do the job.)can still do the job.)

• Not including applicant’s phone number, Not including applicant’s phone number, pager number, e-mail address, etc.pager number, e-mail address, etc.


• Forgetting to include a resume. Forgetting to include a resume. (What (What have you been smoking?)have you been smoking?)

• Forgetting to include your return address Forgetting to include your return address on the envelope and letter.on the envelope and letter.

• Forgetting to include a resume. Forgetting to include a resume. (What (What have you been smoking?)have you been smoking?)

• Forgetting to include your return address Forgetting to include your return address on the envelope and letter.on the envelope and letter.


• Mentioning one job title in the cover letter Mentioning one job title in the cover letter and sending a resume for anotherand sending a resume for another

• Forgets to put appropriate postage on Forgets to put appropriate postage on envelope. envelope. (Employer has to pay postage (Employer has to pay postage due.)due.)

• Mentioning one job title in the cover letter Mentioning one job title in the cover letter and sending a resume for anotherand sending a resume for another

• Forgets to put appropriate postage on Forgets to put appropriate postage on envelope. envelope. (Employer has to pay postage (Employer has to pay postage due.)due.)


• Includes inadequate or inaccurate Includes inadequate or inaccurate applicant contact information applicant contact information (Wrong zip (Wrong zip code, phone #, etc.)code, phone #, etc.)

• Addressing cover letter to the wrong Addressing cover letter to the wrong person, incorrect address or wrong person, incorrect address or wrong department.department.

• Includes inadequate or inaccurate Includes inadequate or inaccurate applicant contact information applicant contact information (Wrong zip (Wrong zip code, phone #, etc.)code, phone #, etc.)

• Addressing cover letter to the wrong Addressing cover letter to the wrong person, incorrect address or wrong person, incorrect address or wrong department.department.


• Includes inadequate or inaccurate applicant Includes inadequate or inaccurate applicant contact information contact information (Wrong zip code, phone #, (Wrong zip code, phone #, etc.)etc.)

• Addressing cover letter to the wrong person, Addressing cover letter to the wrong person, incorrect address or wrong department.incorrect address or wrong department.

• Includes inadequate or inaccurate applicant Includes inadequate or inaccurate applicant contact information contact information (Wrong zip code, phone #, (Wrong zip code, phone #, etc.)etc.)

• Addressing cover letter to the wrong person, Addressing cover letter to the wrong person, incorrect address or wrong department.incorrect address or wrong department.


• Using computer template and forgets to Using computer template and forgets to change template information:change template information:

ABC CompanyABC Company

1234 Work Blvd.1234 Work Blvd.

Employment City, USA 12345Employment City, USA 12345

• Using computer template and forgets to Using computer template and forgets to change template information:change template information:

ABC CompanyABC Company

1234 Work Blvd.1234 Work Blvd.

Employment City, USA 12345Employment City, USA 12345

dick gaither ’ s job search training systems, inc. p (800) 361-1613 p over 85% of employers...

Documents

postdelivery mistakes

style mistakes

personalization mistakes

dumb mistakes

research mistakes

mismatch mistakes

creation mistakes

grammatical mistakes