ShareThisWhen the economy slows, competition for jobs heats up. With more people in the labor pool, it's particularly important to present yourself in the best possible light when writing to prospective employers. Start strong by beginning your cover letter with a paragraph that directly ties your skills and experience to the company's needs. These job seekers grabbed immediate attention, but their lack of professionalism gave hiring managers little incentive to read on:
COVER LETTER: "Face it, the majority of the population is a bunch of imbeciles, so choose me."
Subtlety isn't his strong suit.
COVER LETTER: "The economy is awful. It's worse than a soap opera."
The Bold and the Bossy.
COVER LETTER: "I am hoping I can become friends with you."
Somebody's spending too much time on Facebook.
Conclude your cover letter by reiterating your interest in the open position, mentioning that you'll follow up on your application submission, and thanking the hiring manager for his or her time and consideration. These candidates ended on the wrong note:
COVER LETTER: "I will cold call you!"
Is that a threat or a promise?
This person, who apparently sent out resumes and cover letters en masse, closed with a caveat:
COVER LETTER: "I do not want to be hounded by dead-end jobs with dead-end companies. If you are one, you will not receive a reply, and I'll put you in my 'Block Sender File.'"
But you contacted us.
COVER LETTER: "I have come to understand moral obligations and protocol of any official work development. Stature and environmental confidence are my supportive traits that conduct the organization and function of retrieving success in the office."
We would have preferred short and sweet.
For more Resumania, and to submit samples you've come across, visit www.resumania.com. Keep the Resumania coming. Examples can be sent to Resumania, c/o Robert Half International, 2884 Sand Hill Road, Suite 200, Menlo Park, Calif., 94025, or faxed to 650-234-6998.
Max Messmer is chairman and CEO of Robert Half International, a specialized staffing firm, and author of Managing Your Career For Dummies(r) and Job Hunting For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition. His most recent book is Human Resources Kit For Dummies(r), 2nd Edition.
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