I just found this cover letter and red flags went off everywhere:
College student nearing completion of a Computer Sciences degree looking for a full or part-time entry level position in a technical environment such as software testing, hardware installation, database development, or data entry.
Get me secured in your company while I’m still sans degree, because there will come a day when my time will be very valuable.
I would run the other way from this candidate. Again, confidence is good, cockiness is bad. Take a look at the close:
Tuition reimbursement a plus, but not required. Please e-mail with any openings available for a resumé.
Remember, this is a college student. “Required?” Who is hiring whom here? And the last sentence, well, I’m not sure what to make of it other than he is trying to get his resumé hired. This guy may be an excellent programmer and a good employee, but the cover letter screams of an entitlement mentality.