Common mistakes in cover letter: A guide

Mistake 1: Using a generic template

Cover letter templates can be a great tool for making your job application stand out and ensuring consistency between your cover letter and resume. However, you don’t want to use a bland, boring template that employers have seen dozens of times. Basic templates on word-processing apps aren’t going to cut it.

You also need to ensure that your cover letter itself is not generic. Don’t blast out the same cover letter to a dozen different companies and expect to stand out. Customize the template you use to include the hiring manager’s name, the company’s name, and other hints of personalization. You want the hiring manager to feel like you crafted the letter specifically for that role. 

Explore dynamic templates that draw the reader’s attention to key details like your experience and background. Make sure you use a matching resume template to ensure consistency between both documents. This brings us to the next item on our list of cover letter mistakes.

Mistake 2: Repeating your resume

Your resume and cover letter are meant to complement one another, not present the same information in different formats. Many applicants simply summarize their work experience in their cover letter. This approach is a missed opportunity to explain why their experience makes them the right fit.

Use your cover letter to add value to your resume. Highlight specific achievements or skills relevant to the position and explain how they can benefit the company. You want to position yourself as a strong candidate who brings something special to the business. Simply reiterating the same information from your resume doesn’t do that. 

“Your resume and cover letter are meant to complement one another, not present the same information in different formats.” 

Mistake 3: Focusing too much on yourself 

Wait a second — isn’t a cover letter supposed to be all about you? Sort of. However, you need to tie your skills and experiences back to the company and role you are applying for. A great cover letter should tell more about you and your skills while also showcasing how you can solve the company’s challenges. 

Throughout your letter, shift the focus back to the employer. Keep these segments positive. Highlight what you like about the company, why you want to work there, and what you hope to contribute by joining the team. 

Aim to make about 30% of the copy about the business. Make sure to link these sections back to you and position yourself as a great candidate. If you are reusing an old cover letter, carefully review it to ensure you’ve removed or replaced any mentions of a different business. 

Mistake 4: Ignoring the job description

Sending a cover letter that doesn’t align with the job description is one of the most common cover letter mistakes. Employers might think you aren’t serious about a role if you fail to address the qualifications and skills they are looking for. 

Keep in mind that some businesses use an applicant tracking system (ATS) to prescreen resumes and cover letters. These platforms use artificial intelligence to scan through letters and look for certain keywords. If your documents lack any relevant terminology from the job posting, you might get removed from the application process before the hiring manager ever sets eyes on your letter. 

Mistake 5: Speaking too formally or too casually

You’ve got to strike the right tone when writing your cover letter. The “right” tone and verbiage can vary depending on your industry and the role you are applying for. Forward-thinking businesses may lean slightly toward less formal language. Conversely, traditional companies like law firms may expect extremely formal and somewhat rigid verbiage. 

If you aren’t sure which way to lean, keep your tone professional but conversational. Your letter shouldn’t sound robotic, but it needs to be formal enough to show respect for the company and hiring team. Consider having a friend or trusted coworker read your letter to assess its tone. Incorporate their feedback to make your letter more digestible and engaging. 

Mistake 6: Making it too long or too short

You don’t want to provide employers with a multi-page document that reads like an autobiography. A letter that’s too long can lose their interest or prompt them to skip over it altogether. However, if your letter is too short, it may seem rushed or lacking in effort.

Generally speaking, you should make your cover letter about one page long. You can push it closer to two pages if you have extensive educational or professional history. 

Check out some cover letter examples for inspiration on how to structure your letter and condense complex information. 

Mistake 7: Neglecting key accomplishments

A cover letter gives you an opportunity to showcase your top accomplishments. Simply listing your job duties without emphasizing achievements is one of the cover letter mistakes to avoid. 

Highlight specific accomplishments that are relevant to the role. Quantify your achievements when possible to give employers a clear idea of your impact. 

Suppose that you helped reduce overtime costs by restructuring the employee schedule. Instead of saying, “I reduced overtime costs by redesigning the schedule,” you should provide hard data such as, “I redesigned the schedule and cut overtime expenses by 15%.” 

Mistake 8: Skipping proofreading

Grammatical errors and poorly written paragraphs make you look bad. Don’t assume that employers are just going to skim through your cover letter and miss mistakes. A 2020 survey revealed that 87% of managers and recruiters read the entire cover letter (1). 

Always proofread your cover letter multiple times. Consider having someone else review it as well to catch any errors you might have missed. 

Mistake 9: Overloading with buzzwords

It’s tempting to fill your cover letter with buzzwords like “team player” or “self-starter,” but overusing these terms can make your document sound cliched and generic. Employers want to see real examples, not a list of vague terms. 

Use specific examples to demonstrate your skills instead of relying on overused buzzwords. Show, don’t just tell the employer why you’re a great fit. 

However, you shouldn’t avoid buzzwords altogether. Use a few of them strategically throughout your letter. Focus on terms that appear in the job description to make your letter feel personalized for that position. 

Mistake 10: Leaving out a call to action 

Ending your cover letter without a clear next step is a missed opportunity. Some applicants sign off without mentioning how they’ll follow up or how the employer can reach them, leaving the process open-ended.

End your cover letter with a strong call to action. Express your interest in discussing the position further and let the employer know how they can contact you to schedule an interview. 

Don’t be nervous about reaching out to follow up if you haven’t heard anything in a week or two. Following up shows you are interested in the position and want an opportunity to interview. 

Avoid cover letter mistakes with Jobseeker templates 

Our list of top 10 cover letter mistakes can help you create a document that differentiates you from the competition. Take the time to craft a great cover letter and complementary resume that showcase your unique talents and position you as a strong candidate. 

Need a little extra help nailing your job application? Check out the Jobseeker cover letter generator and use this handy tool to create a dynamic letter for your next job application. Make sure to explore our library of resources, which includes resume examples, guides, and more. 

Sources:

(1) The Muse: Finally, an Answer to: Are Cover Letters Still Necessary?