When writing a cover letter, it is essential that you get the details right. Otherwise, it can make you look unprofessional and even lead to getting your application declined. Even if you do get the job, you will end up having to work for less money. To help you write the perfect cover letter, this Hub will advise you on whether or not to copy. We will also teach you how to write an effective follow-up letter, in case your cover letter does not work out as planned.
Should You Copy?
For those of you who are unfamiliar, a cover letter is a letter that you send along with your résumé or application for a particular job. The main purpose of a cover letter is to entice the hiring manager to take a glance at your résumé. After they read your cover letter, they will either decide to contact you or they will decline your application due to lack of interest. Ideally, a cover letter should be short and sweet; something you can write in just a few minutes.
As a general rule, it is not advisable to plagiarize when writing letters. Plagiarism is taken very seriously by many employers and they may not appreciate you copying parts of another’s work. Even worse, they may think you are trying to trick them or cheat the system. Therefore, it is best to write your own version of the letter instead.
On the other hand, you should always be careful when dealing with legal matters. For example, when applying for a job at a law firm, you should make sure you are not giving the appearance of trying to take someone’s place. To make sure you are not falling into any legal traps, you should always seek accredited help when writing your letters. For example, you can contact an attorney and get advice on how to write the perfect cover letter.
The Benefits Of Copying
While it is important to write your own version of the letter, there are specific instances where you should include parts from other sources. For example, if you are applying for a job that requires you to attend school, you may need to include your school’s contact information in your letter. In the same way, if you are applying for a job at a food-related company, you might want to include the ingredients and method of preparation for the specific food product.
In these cases, it is acceptable to copy parts of the letter. What you should not do is plagiarize the content or the ideas behind the content. Even if you are sure you wrote the whole letter by yourself, it is still advisable to seek professional help. Plagiarism is a serious offense and it can lead to serious legal consequences. At the very least, it can cause you to lose your job, or maybe even get you fired.
When To Copy
As mentioned above, it is important that you write your own letter. However, there are specific instances where you should include parts from other sources. To help you decide when to copy, here are a few guidelines: