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Is it inappropriate to mention job offers (not specifics) in a cover letter applying for a job?
Posted by brian in Cover Letter HELP on May 21st, 2010 | 3 responses


I am applying to a position whose description mentions that the candidate must be able to interact effectively with scientists because of the technical nature of some of the job’s aspects. I am not a scientist, but am pretty knowledgeable about the sciences, enough so that I have gotten a couple job offers in the past that also required a science background. I would like to mention these job offers – just general information, not the company names – to show that I’ve gone through this vetting process before and found to have an adequate science background. Would this be okay?

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3 Responses to “Is it inappropriate to mention job offers (not specifics) in a cover letter applying for a job?”

  1. tanuja says:
    May 21, 2010 at 3:51 am

    I wouldn’t recommend it. They might get the wrong idea and think that you are just applying to compare salaries or something. They might think you are not serious.
    If, however, you want to mention previous job experience that helped you gain the scientific knowledge, that might be useful.
    Hope I helped! Good Luck!

  2. Flyby says:
    May 21, 2010 at 4:49 am

    I don’t think it is inappropriate to mention other job offers in a cover letter for a position with a different company. Just because one company felt that you were right for their company doesn’t necessarily mean that the new company will place any value on another companies evaluation. It might even hurt your chances of being hired by the new company. I would instead concentrate on your attributes and how you can benefit the company for which you are applying.

  3. endorphin_boy415 says:
    May 21, 2010 at 5:41 am

    I was initially misled by your question…

    I don’t know that you should mention job offers per se. You might be better off explaining that you have an exceptionally strong educational background in science, and that you have a proven ability to communicate effectively with those with a technical background.

    If I were the hiring manager and read that you had received job offers in the past, my initial question might be, “I wonder why she didn’t take the job?” Or, it may cause undue suspicion about your background in general.

    So, just play up your education and background in science as strongly as you can.