With fierce competition for the best jobs, a good cover letter is now just as critical as a good resume. It’s no longer taking a back seat to the resume; employers are using cover letters to determine whether or not you are genuinely interested in the job for which you’ve applied. They are your chance to get an employer interested in your resume and you. Cover letter mistakes, however, can be costly because they reduce the likelihood that your resume will be read, or that you’ll be called to interview.   Here are 10 cover letter “no-nos” you should avoid:

1. Form letters. 
   Don’t use a generic greeting or a one-size-fits-all approach. Address your cover letter to a specific person, about the specific job for which you are applying. Tell the employer about yourself, but do so in the context of your employer’s needs and the specified job requirements. No form letters!
2. Gimmicks.
   Employers prefer a simple, well written cover letter. Avoid gimmicks and inappropriate stationery.
3. Rambling. 
   Don’t write your life story. A cover letter should be no longer than one page. Include three or four concise but convincing paragraphs.
4. Sloppy copy.
   Proofread and triple-check to ensure you have no typos, grammatical errors, and it’s formatted properly.
5. Repeating what’s in your resume.
   Write what the resume does not say. Provide new information or an in-depth explanation of an achievement or skill.
6. The wrong tone. 
   Don’t be too casual or familiar. Always be professional and to the point.
7. Sounding desperate.
   Be determined and enthusiastic, but don’t beg for the position.
8. Using an unprofessional e-mail address. 
   Make sure your e-mail address and custom e-mail signature are professional. Consider setting up an e-mail account with a more professional name, rather than pookeybear@yahoo.com, for the purpose of job hunting.
9. Listing unrelated skills or qualifications.
   Including irrelevant information that doesn’t refer to the company’s needs and expectations of you weakens your application. Also, don’t misrepresent your qualifications or exaggerate to the point of misrepresentation.
10. Ineffective closing.
    Don’t be demanding or vague about your desire to be interviewed. Be proactive in requesting an interview, with promises to follow-up with a phone call. Then follow up.

Consider cover letters as the connection between your resume and the job position. Let your letter professionally capture your personality, passion or desire for the job.