Cover Letter Help: Write Clearly Using Plain English

Today’s candidate has painstakingly chosen every word in her cover letter.  She wrote to me asking for help.  She can’t understand why she has had no response to her cover letter and resume.  I had to break it to her.  The letter stinks, or as Dara would have written, it is regrettably deficient.  Some candidates feel they must elevate their writing, even if it means replacing common words with polysyllabic words.  Even worse, many candidates choose words that simply don’t fit.  If you want to impress a reader, write so the reader can relate to you.  Speak in your own voice.  Furthermore, write in a way that the language flows easily. 

Dara’s letter gives the reader the impression that she is not familiar with proper English. It also makes Dara seems stuffy and unapproachable. If you are struggling to find your voice or to create a cover letter with an appropriate tone, put down the thesaurus and contact me.  I would love to help you get behind your cover letter woes.