Cover Letter Help: The Not-so-fine Line Between Obnoxious and Amusing

In an effort to stand out from the crowd, some job searchers turn to cute quips and humor in their cover letter. It is true that creativity and sharp writing skills will impress a prospective employer.  If your attempt at humor misses the mark or your creative expressions are misunderstood, don’t expect an interview invitation.  What you may think is witty or confident could be received as obnoxious.  That’s the case with Eric.  Eric prides himself on his joviality and engaging conversion skills.  When reading his letter many will see him as a self-absorbed, perhaps insufferable, sales person.  His goal to be a regional sales executive for an international food company may be a “miss” until he changes his cover letter style.

Take a look at Eric’s letter.  You can see some areas of the letter are interesting and effective. For example, he conducted company research and demonstrated his awareness of the company’s products.  However, his attempts at humor fall flat in this situation. The letter should be more professional. It is important to demonstrate one’s value.  Eric would do better do show examples that relate more closely to the job. His ability to memorize trivia is not the selling point that I would recommend. Perhaps more about his strong sales record in his current job would be better to share.

If you are struggling to find a balance between professionalism and showcasing your personality, contact me. I would be happy to help you with a new cover letter that is genuine, professional, and effective.