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By Adams Media Corp,
17. Gimmicks: Gimmicks such as sending a home video or a singing telegram to replace the conventional cover letter may seem attractive. No matter how creative these ideas may sound, the majority of employers will be more impressed with a simple, well-crafted letter. In the worst-case scenario, gimmicks can even work against you, eliminating you from consideration. Examples we've seen include sending a poster-size cover letter by courier service or baseball hat with a note attached, "I'm throwing my hat into the ring!" Avoid such big risks; most hiring decisions are based on qualifications not gimmicks.
18. Typographical errors: It is very easy to make mistakes in your letters, particularly when you are writing many in succession. But it is also very easy for a hiring manager to reject out of hand any cover letter that contains errors, even those that seem minor at first glance. Don't make the mistake that one job-hunting editor recently made, citing his attention to detail while misspelling his own name!
Here are a few common technical mistakes to watch out for when proofreading your letter:
-Misspelling the hiring contact's name or title in the address, in the greeting, or on the envelope.
-Forgetting to change the name of the organization you're applying to each time it appears in your application, especially in the body of the letter. For example, if you are applying to Boots and Bags, in your closing don't express enthusiasm for a position at Shoe City.
-Indicating application for one position and mentioning a different position in the body of the letter. For instance, one candidate applying for a telemarketing position included the following statement, "I possess fifteen years' experience related to the Marketing Analyst availability."
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