Avoid These "Big Bad" Words In Your Cover
Letter
Be aware!
The Big Bad Word virus can attack your cover letters when you least expect it,
knocking out your message and destroying every sentence. And worst of all, if
your letter reaches a hiring manager before you've caught the culprit, you
could lose your opportunity for a job interview. So the best thing to do is be
on guard ahead of time so this nasty virus never touches any of your cover
letters.
What are the Signs?
As you
write your cover letters, such words as pursuant,
heretofore, credence, and others like them will suddenly pop onto the page.
That will be your first clue. Delete them without hesitation and vow never
again to give them access to your writing.
Keep in
mind that hiring managers are regular people–just like you and me. Most don't
have a big fat dictionary at their fingertips in order to wade through what
should be a clear and concisely worded job search cover letter. They want to
pick up one to two pages that communicate a simple message about why you are
interested in the job they want to fill and why you are qualified to do so.
Everyday
conversational language with a light touch and some specific details about what
you can do for the company and why you're the one for the job will make the
difference between being noticed and being overlooked. Remember your letter is
a handshake, a how do you do, a greeting that introduces yourself and your
skills and experience for the hiring manager to consider and act upon.
Try this:
I was very
pleased to see your job post for a position as assistant sales
manager at
ABC Publishing Company. I've been in the publishing
industry
for seven years and wouldn't trade it for any other. I especially
like
presenting products to bookstore buyers, letting them know about
the great
books that will enhance the lives of their customers.
I'd welcome
meeting you in person to share a list of ideas that I'd like to
put in
place so we can build up the sales force and exceed quarterly goals.
I look
forward to hearing from you, and setting a date for an interview.
Toss this:
Pursuant to
said resume attached, I have compiled a list of my personal and professional
characteristics, and carefully analyzed those necessary to extrapolate my
purpose and penchant for the kind of work you articulated in your description of the job
opening you are hoping to fill with a person of high quality, extreme integrity
and willingness to meet expectations. That said, I ask your kind permission to
schedule a private meeting with you so I might further explore . . .
At this point, if the
employer even reads that far, he or she will likely shred the letter as well as
any thought of calling you for an interview.
Before printing your letter read it out loud—to another person, if
possible. The moment you or your friend or colleague hear a word or phrase that
twists your tongue and turns your mind to mush, take it out. Rewrite until the
words and sentences flow. If you feel yourself smile, you'll know you are
conversing like a real human being. Mention your passion for the job and then ask for an interview.
Clear concise language is so
rare in the business world today, that those who can master it will land the
interview of their dreams–and the job that's behind it!
Jimmy Sweeney is the president of CareerJimmy and author of the brand new, "Amazing Cover Letter Creator." Jimmy is also the author of several career related books and writes a monthly article titled, "Job Search Secrets."
Visit our friends at Amazing Cover Letters for your "instant" cover letter today. "In just 3½ minutes you will have an amazing cover letter guaranteed to cut through YOUR competition like a hot knife through butter!"
