At least you weren't this guy.
Here's the thing – I can see where he thought this thing would work:
- He plays up his background.
- He calls to his strengths.
- He calls out his achievements.
- He seeks challenges.
- He projects confidence – well actually he carpet-bombs you with confidence then sets you alight with confidence.
The problem is:
- He does all of the above in a wordy, over-detailed, overblown manner it's ridiculous.
- He over-includes things that should be on his resume
- He never truly says why he's right for the specific positions and what he brings much beyond his own awesomeness.
The letter is ridiculous, but the ridiculousness is even more apparent in that, if you dissect it, you can see how he may have thought this was a good idea.
The problem is the letter is an overblow, disconnected piece of work. His overdoing it disconnects him from the people he sends it to, from the job (it's a Pile of My Awesomeness), and from those he works with. Somewhere he thought he had the right idea.
Now odds are your cover letter or resume are overly modest, but it's always a good reminder that your letter – and resume – display your abilities while connecting you with others. Oh, and not annoying them.