求职信2

To avoid being tossed in the "circular file," there are some things your cover letter should never do.
Here are four of the most common mistakes to avoid:
1. Don't start off slow. Far too many cover letters take one, two or even three paragraphs to warm up. Start yours with a bang, like this: "I'm applying for the position of Caretaker at the Troy location of White Tower Apartments, as advertised in the Daily Tribune." Here's an easy way to find your best opening. First, write a draft copy of your letter. Second, look down the page for a concise statement that gets right to the point. Now, cut out the preceding text. Voila. You now have a powerful beginning for your cover letter.

2. Don't talk about your career goals. Avoid statements like, "I seek a position where my skills will be utilized and recognized with further advancement." This selfish attitude will turn off more readers than it will ever impress. Besides, if you've done your homework, you'll only be applying to companies that recognize and promote ability. Don't waste the reader's time by making demands before the two of you have ever met.

3. Never, EVER mention salary. Even if the classified ad requests a salary history. Reason?
Employers use salary histories to screen out candidates who are too expensive or not experienced/sophisticated enough to have made enough money previously. Including a salary history can only hurt your chances. It can never help. Solution? Include these five magic words near the end of your letter: "My salary requirements are negotiable."

4. Never mention why you left a previous job. Some people feel compelled to explain why they stayed so long (or so briefly) at prior jobs. Don't. Prepare your answers for any hard questions about your employment history … then save them for the job interview. This is no time for confessions. Don't include anything in your cover letter that could result in doors being closed.
A word about style. There are still some who say a cover letter should never contain contractions, such as "I'm" or "you're." Nonsense. Contractions are perfectly acceptable in modern business correspondence. Cover letters are no exception. Having said that, if you feel uncomfortable using contractions, don't. Just be sure you maintain a consistent style throughout your letter.

Printing your cover letter
When it's time to print your cover letter (using a laser printer only!) feel free to use standard white typing paper. While you use heavier stationery that matches your résumé, the cover letter is really a different document doing a different job. As such, it's perfectly acceptable to use a different, lighter paper.