The Twenty-Eight Most Common Letter-Writing Errors
If you’ve ever seen a batch of letters sent in response to a want ad, you know they can be
hysterically funny. A random sampling usually demonstrates every mistake in the book
(like sending the letter to the wrong company). Here are twenty-eight common errors to
avoid:
1. Addressing letters, “Dear Sir:” or “Dear Sirs:” As you know, many readers today
are women. If gender is unclear, the salutation should be something like “Dear
Hiring Manager,” or “Dear Human Resources Manager.”
2. Addressing letters, “To whom it may concern.” Find out who will receive the
correspondence, and address it personally. One company received a letter
addressed to “Dear Whomever,” to which an employee replied, “I'll answer to
anything but this!”
3. Enclosing a photo. Skip the photo unless you’re a model or an aspiring actor.
4. Handwriting or typing over an old resume or letterhead. If you’ve moved, start
over. Changes on old documents aren’t acceptable.
5. No signature. Even if you type your name at the end of correspondence, you
should sign the page in your own handwriting to give it a personal touch.
6. Spelling errors. One applicant said he was well suited for “writting and editing
chores... contac t (sic) me at the adrwss (sic) below.” Would you give him your
editing work? Another writer said she would enjoy “hearing form (sic) us.” Word
processing spell checkers make mistakes; so proof everything.
