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What common mistakes do you see in cover letters, and how can they be avoided to improve a candidate's chances?

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  • Writing & Translation

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The biggest mistakes I see with clients' cover letters are that they are a) too long and b) too generic.

a) Recruiters and hiring managers are very busy people - and they simply won't read lengthy, long-winded cover letters. The onus is on you to craft something short and sweet (max. 300 words). If you craft something short and sweet, your chances of it getting read go up significantly. And if it gets read, it can serve as another tool to help you secure an interview.

b) Even if recruiters and hiring managers read your cover letter, they will disregard it if it is generic. You want to use this opportunity to pitch why you are the best fit for the specific job and company you're applying, not lay out your work history, achievements and accomplishments (that's what your resume is for!)

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