IT'S IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT that there are some things not to say in your cover letter. It may be true that the line between appropriate and inappropriate is often blurred in both casual and professional settings as people struggle to make themselves stand out from the crowd, but that doesn't mean you should adopt an “anything goes” attitude in an effort to get an interview. The point of this document is to help you get a job, so be careful not to discuss topics that could potentially detract from that goal. The following twenty-five phrases are examples of things not to say in your cover letter.
1. Don't tell your life story. “I was born in Wisconsin, one of three children. I did well in school. I was on the football team and editor of my school newspaper. I moved to Chicago to go to college and …” Keep your answer limited to the parts that will affect your suitability for the job.
2. Don't explain that you're gunning for a management job when you're aiming to interview for an entry-level position. “I want to run this place” is not an appropriate description of your long-term goals.
3. Don't say, “I plan to get my MBA as soon as possible,” if that isn't relevant to the job. Avoid describing short-term goals that have nothing to do with the position you're interviewing for.
4. Don't highlight a general trait as your greatest strength. Saying, “I'm a hard worker who always get to work on time,” leaves the reviewer of your cover letter wondering if you have any specific skills related to the job.
5. Don't overstate your enthusiasm for change. By saying, “I love change, and without it I get bored,” will make companies wary of your commitment and get you flagged as someone who jumps from job to job every two years.
6. Don't focus on unimportant details. Saying, “My ideal work environment is an office with big windows and proximity to the train station,” doesn't tell your potential employer what sort of work challenges you and what work pace best suits you.
7. Don't appear uninterested in your chosen field. “I decided to pursue a career in advertising because my dad's friend thought I'd be good at it,” shows a lack of concern for your future, and it may cause the interviewer to doubt your decision-making abilities.
8. Don't take the focus off your strengths by emphasizing skills you lack. Telling someone, “I haven't worked in this field before, but I'm a fast learner” downplays any strengths you have, such as working well on a team or possessing good communication skills. Accentuate the positive as much as possible.
9. Don't be vague when listing your skills. If you're applying for a teaching position, you'll need to be much more specific than just saying “I love kids, and I'm a good teacher.” What's special about the way you interact with children, and what makes you a good teacher?
10. Don't paint a picture of yourself as an iron-fisted ruler. If you're targeting a management position, avoid saying, “I'm strict, and in my office it's my way or the highway.” Portray yourself as a hands-on manager who works alongside her employees.
11. Don't rely on your training or education alone to speak for the skills you possess. When describing your experience, don't say, “I graduated from Boston University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering.” Instead, describe how and where you've applied your degree.
12. Don't leave out the details. Saying, “I'm good with patients and insurance” in your cover letter is not going to make you stand out against the candidate who says something like, “I dealt with insurance companies on a daily basis, and I found that if I learned how each one worked, it was a lot easier for the doctors in my practice to get paid and for patients to get reimbursed. I also worked at the reception desk at these jobs and was happy to be able to calm down anxious patients and hopefully offer some reassurance.”
13. Don't forget to explain how you progressed in your job. By saying, “I started out as an assistant and was promoted to a senior position within one year,” you don't give the reviewer much information about what you did in the meantime.
14. Don't confuse personal accomplishments with professional ones. While you may be tempted to boast, “My accomplishments include winning my softball team's biggest game of the season by hitting a grand slam,” it's not something to mention in your cover letter.
15. Don't minimize the impact your work has had on your current company. Always highlight and focus on results in your cover letter. For example, “I wrote a manual explaining all bookkeeping department procedures in our company. New employees receive a copy of this manual, which helps them learn their job faster.”
16. Don't fail to make the connection between your education and the position you're pursuing. Avoid saying, “Even though I have no experience managing media communications, I am eager to learn what the job entails.” You must relate your background to the job. If it's a big stretch, reconsider your decision to apply.
17. Don't give the wrong impression of your interest in a particular company. “I'd love to work here because my best friend does” is not a good reason. If it's the only reason, again, rethink your decision to apply.
18. Don't badmouth your current boss. Never cite a disagreement between you and your boss or an inability to work together as a reason for pursuing a new job.
19. Don't discuss desired salary in your cover letter. Saying, “I must make at least $55,000” will be a major turn off.
20. Don't specify money as a motivating reason for pursuing a new job. When you say, “I am interested in earning a higher salary,” your potential employer will wonder if you have any interest in the job or company.
21. Don't convey a sense of enthusiasm about using skills you don't currently possess. Someone with no prior research experience who says, “I am thrilled at the prospect of researching medical issues” will be flagged as a person requiring training or close supervision.
22. Don't display a lack of knowledge about your potential future employer. Instead of saying, “I am interested in learning more about your company,” say, “I am interested in speaking with you further about this position.” You won't be expected to know everything about the job from the posting alone.
23. Don't display a lack of knowledge about the industry you seek to join. If you're going to work for a book publisher, don't call the manuscripts articles. Know which buzz words will get your cover letter noticed, and use the language spoken by those already in the industry.
24. Don't say, “I'm looking for a nine-to-five job.” It shows that you're not willing to put in extra time and effort if needed.
25. Don't say, “This Assistant position is clearly the next step I need to take in order to become a principal.” You may think this statement shows ambition, but what it really says is that you don't care how you get the experience you need to advance to a higher position.