Writing a Cover Letter Words Phrases That Might Lose You the Job - CareerMetis.com

Writing a Cover Letter Words Phrases That Might Lose You the Job Source â€" Pixabay.comYou’ve customized your cover letter to the role and company, drafted compelling opening and closing lines, and even figured out how to address the most frequent issues about writing cover letters.But your job is not yet done. Once you’ve got a working draft, it’s time to grab your red pen. Double check your cover letter to make sure you’re not using any of the words and phrases below that might sabotage your chances of securing a job interview.1. “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To Whom It May Concern”Why avoid this phrase?: If you don’t have the name of the person to whom you can address your cover letter, you should make every effort to find it using Google, the social media Using a generic salutation can create a negative first impression and may suggest that you’re not quite resourceful to find out who the Hiring Manager or Recruiter is for the role.A better alternative: “Dear Mr. Jones,” or “Dear Ms. Fox” “The job entails a steadfast individual who will navigate the constant influx of content and propagate information on a daily basis. My multifaceted skill-set in this domain will burgeon in this role.”Why avoid this phrase?:Avoid using language that your recipient will have to look up in the dictionary, or that will over-complicate the message of your cover letter. Applicants who apply highfalutin words in their writing may be regarded as untrustworthy and overcompensating by their colleagues.A better alternative:“My skills in publishing relevant content will enable me to excel in this role.”Why is this better?Writing in clear and straightforward English will guarantee that Hiring Managers and Recruiters can relate to you as an articulate human, and not as an alien from another planet. It’s always best to write in a way that enables the employer to understand what you are saying without the need for them to speculate.4. “I’m Just”Example: “I’m just writing an email to apply for the Health Club Manager role.”evalWhy avoid this phrase?:Most applicants unconsciously use this phrase when submitting their cover letter. It’s a phrase that shows a lack of confidence and comes across as being apologetic. This phrase, primarily when used in the opening line, is also generic and unmemorable, not giving the Hiring Manager or Recruiter something about which to get excited or be intrigued.A better alternative:“I was excited to find an opening for the Health Club Manager role with Company XYZ, especially since that I’m passionate about fitness and have attended several of your company’s health events.”Why is this better?If you’re genuinely interested in a specific industry, attracted to the company’s brands, or have used their products or services before, this is an excellent opportunity to say so. Employers value real enthusiasm since it often translates to highly motivated and successful employees.5. “Average,” “Good”Example:“I’m good at using Excel and h as average skill in using the HMTL language.”Why avoid this phrase?:Avoid putting anything on your cover letter that will showcase you being merely average. Remember that the function of your cover letter is to show off your strengths and not expose your weaknesses. There are also many adjective options out there, and they are almost all more potent than “good” such as “skilled,” “proficient,” “talented,” “apt,” and “capable.”A better alternative:“I’m proficient in Excel and interested in expanding my knowledge of HTML. I’m eager for the chance to improve these skills.”Why is this better?If, for some reason, you feel the need to mention something that you’re not excellent at, perhaps because the employer requires you to disclose your skill level on a particular task, then it’s always best to emphasize the fact that you’re willing to put in the extra effort to enhance these skills.Other Words and Phrases to Avoideval“As you can see on my resu me”This is a common filler phrase. But if the Hiring Manager can see something on your resume, announcing its presence is not necessary.“I’m the best candidate because…”evalTo stay on the Hiring Manager’s good side, avoid using “best” as it may seem arrogant. And even if you’re sure that you’d be a fantastic choice, you don’t know if you’re the “best.”“Really, truly, deeply, totally, very”Flowery language and excessive adverbs can come across as insincere. A sentence without these fillers is more succinct, and thus more effectiveIn SummaryExcellent cover letters leave an impression that attracts potential employers to proceed with reading your resume. On the contrary, lousy cover letters repel recruiters.You can control how your cover letter introduces you by avoiding these undesirable words and phrases. Why not start revisiting your cover letter now?