The cover letter. It gives job seekers a chance to enhance their resume by portraying their skills, wishes, and desires to the hiring manager in letter form. When done professionally, it can tip the scales in the applicant’s favor. Unfortunately, it isn’t always done professionally.
I previously referenced one of my favorite web sites, Resumania.com. Resumania is a web site that publishes errors made by job seekers on resumes, applications, and cover letters. It provides some stress relief in the world of staffing. The examples below come from businesses worldwide.
• “I am extremely loyal to my present firm, so please don’t let them know I’m looking to change jobs.”
• “I am defiantly an asset to any company.”
• “I like bothering the boss until I get a raise.”
• “I recently launched my own business, but since it’s quickly losing money, I need a job.”
• “I’ve been rich and I’ve been poor. I prefer being rich.”
• “I will be available for an interview with you on Oct. 23. I’m due in court that day in your area.”
• “Enclosed please find two resumes. One is not updated yet, and the other includes more recent information. Please pick the one you like best.”
• “I just completed my degree in biology and am applying for the position of wedding consultant.”
• “I am a gratitude in psychology.”
• “My resume is not prepared, but I wanted to write to you anyway.”
• “Read my resume—you’ll see I know all the buzz words.”
• “I am very interested in your position as [insert position title here].”
• “Dear Hiring Manager—I was intrigued by your opening for a software trainer. I do not have software training experience, but I am a very fast learner. My resume is attached. Please let me know if I meet your criteria.”
• “Dear Sir/Madman”
• “I find every job a challenge.”
• “I have always been the leader of my team in volume of work, accouracy and efficiency.”
• “The skills I have are outdated and I am interested in learning the new technologies and applying them in your area.”
• “Programming is in my blood. In fact, I am always thinking about programming languages and write some of my best work while sleeping.”
• “I have spent my entire perfessional life learning and striving to become the best that I can ...”
• “Will not relocate. But if I can get a job out-of-state, it is not a problem for me to move.”
• “Please let me know if you do not receive this.”
• “I’m bored, and haven’t worked in a real job since 1997.”
Although these are a lot of fun to people in the staffing world, it does emphasize the importance of professionalism and proofreading in resume preparation. IBI