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By Adams Media Corp,
7. Erroneous company information: If you were the employer, would you want to hire a candidate who confuses your company's products and services or misquotes recent goings-on? To avoid such errors, be sure to verify the accuracy of any company information that you mention in your cover letter. On the other hand, if you haven’t researched the company, don't bluff. Statements like "I know something about your company" or "I am familiar with your products" signal to an employer that you haven't done your homework.
When citing information about a company, be specific. The following is an example of an effective way to use company information in your cover letter. "I have been following Any Corporation's growth for many months and I was excited to learn of your recent acquisition of C&M, Inc. Congratulations on successfully entering the international market!"
8. Desperation: In your cover letter, you should sound determined, not desperate. While an employer appreciates enthusiasm, he or she may be turned off by a desperate plea for employment. However, a fine line often separates the two, so the best advice would be to follow your instincts. Here are a few blunders to avoid: "I am desperately eager to start, as I have been out of work for six months," "Please call today! I'll be waiting by the phone," "I really, really need this job to pay off medical bills." In one letter we came across, the candidate even dramatically enlarged the type of this closing statement, "I AM VERY BADLY IN NEED OF MONEY!"
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