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UPDATED THREAD: "Everybody" puts this on their cover letter but nobody believes it, so don't do it

UPDATED THREAD: "Everybody" puts this on their cover letter but nobody believes it, so don't do it

by Linda Andrews -
Number of replies: 6

I strongly despise cover letters, because they are so ......unhelpful and often just plain silly.  Some people prefer them, so just here are a few hints to keep them from making those who read it nauseated. I'll add some of my thoughts when I see these comments.  Your goal is to have a MATURE approach as compared to a silly one.

"I'm a very fast learner."   ---totally meaningless and nobody believes it

"I passed all my classes with flying colors."  ---okay, so the training you got must not have been very good. I don't want someone who passed with flying colors. I want someone who went to a very tough, challenging course and STRUGGLED and was successful IN SPITE OF how hard it was.

"I'm exactly what you need."    ---I'll be the judge of that, and I am not interested in anyone who pretends to know exactly what I need.

"I love your company and that's why I applied to work for you." ---No, you don't and you didn't. That's really silly.

Re: "Everybody" puts this on their cover letter but nobody believes it, so don't do it

by Glenda Hickman -

One helpful thing to add in your cover letter, however, is what position you are applying for and where you found the listing for it, if you aren't just submitting your resume cold.

Also, coding students/graduates, be sure to list which certifications you already have.  If you've scheduled a test date that is falling sometime after you're submitting your application, or if you haven't gotten your results back yet, you can include that information in your cover letter as well.  I would not recommend including anything like, "I plan to take the CCS (or CPC) exam soon," if you don't have concrete information about when that will be, however. 

Your cover letter does not need to be long, and it does not need to repeat the information in your resume for the most part.  Just include one or two short paragraphs about what you're applying for and reinforce your objective credentials/background (but not subjective qualities), add a polite "Thank you for your consideration" statement, and let the resume speak for itself.

-Glenda

Re: "Everybody" puts this on their cover letter but nobody believes it, so don't do it

by Deleted user -

Thank you Linda and Glenda!  Now, when we are job hunting, does someone from Andrews provide feedback on cover letters and resumes?  I have experience writing both in the education field, but that is different I would imagine.  Plus, I will need help melding my unrelated but not invaluable teaching experience into a coding resume.  Thanks!

Re: "Everybody" puts this on their cover letter but nobody believes it, so don't do it

by Linda Andrews -

Yes, we are happy to help with resume preparation. When you're ready, send your resume through Glenda's e-mail address, andi@andrewsschool.com and Michelle will evaluate and make recommendations.

Re: "Everybody" puts this on their cover letter but nobody believes it, so don't do it

by Deleted user -

And, if a job posting asks for a cover letter as well as a resume, be sure that you DO submit a cover letter! That's the first opportunity you have to show that you are able to follow instructions.

Re: "Everybody" puts this on their cover letter but nobody believes it, so don't do it

by Linda Andrews -

Yes, Suzanne's point is excellent.

Also, NEVER, EVER, EVER, say things like this:

I decided to go back to school even though I'm ____ years old.     NOOOOO!

Never ever talk about age.  EVVVVVVER!   Most people won't be focused on age unless YOU are. Then, they will be, and you won't get the job, because if YOU think it's important, it becomes important.

-----

Dear Employer,

I'm just hoping you will give me a chance to show what I can do, because I know I can do it if only someone would give me a chance, but nobody ever gives me a chance and as you know, nobody ever gives new medical coders a chance but if they only....      DELETE THIS:  'IF SOMEONE WILL GIVE ME A CHANCE' FROM YOUR VOCABULARY ALONG WITH COMMENTS ABOUT AGE.  IT JUST SAYS,  "Nobody will hire me."  The employer thinks a couple of things:

(1) I sure don't want this person around with this defeatist attitude.

(2) So, nobody else will hire her. Hmmm. There may be a reason for that. I'm sure not going to take a chance on her either, because this 'if someone will only give me a chance' stuff sounds a little bit desperate and clingy.  NEXT APPLICANT, PLEASE.

(3) Well, actually we DO 'give new medical coders without experience a chance, but not when they are this 'NEEDY' because that's unpleasant.  Every medical coder working today got a job at one time without experience, if they  have good skills and tested/interviewed well.  This one won't be hired because of her attitude, not because we never hire new coders.