Cover Letter Mistakes

Today's job market is a grand stage, and every application you submit is like a debut performance for a potential employer. The opening act? Your cover letter!

A cover letter can help hiring managers see your passion for a job in ways a resume can't show, so it's important to make it a real showstopper!

You've no doubt considered tips for how to write a great cover letter, but have you thought about what not to do? Keep reading to discover some common cover letter mistakes and how to avoid them.

4 common cover letter mistakes

Unless an employer specifically asks you not to include one, you should take advantage of a cover letter's power to promote yourself as the perfect candidate. You'll need to invest a little effort to ensure it's on point since a recruiter can spot a sloppy, poorly planned cover letter within seconds. Following the recommendations below may help you craft an attention-grabbing cover letter that sets you apart from the crowd!

First, let’s look at a few of the most common cover letter mistakes.

Misspellings

Submitting a cover letter that hasn't been properly proofread could elicit a "thank you, next" response — or no response at all. Take the time to be sure your letter is free of misspelled words, grammatical errors or incorrect punctuation and that it reflects the overall quality of your professional work. You could also ask a friend or family member to review it and provide feedback. Pro tip: Read your letter out loud. It will help you catch mistakes and hear the words, sentence structure and flow of the content.

Irrelevant examples

Busy hiring managers are most interested in quickly finding applicants who meet the qualifications listed in the job description. In fact, to speed up the screening process, many companies filter candidates with tracking systems that scan applications for keywords relevant to the position.

To make the cut, choose two or three appropriate examples from your professional background that allow you to link your strengths to the required skills and competencies. Remember to incorporate a few keywords noted in the job post. For example, if one of the job qualifications is "leadership experience," you might say, "While in a leadership role at XYZ Company, I coordinated a team of seven associates to achieve project objectives."

Unsuitable tone

What you say matters — so does how you say it! The key here is balance. You want your cover letter to sound relatable and conversational, with an equal measure of enthusiasm, professionalism and polish. Spend some time on the company's website to get a feel for its style so you can tailor your cover letter to align with it. Avoid clichés (they've heard "I think outside the box" a gazillion times), as well as slang, jargon or other informal language that might compromise your professional image.

Incorrect length

Here again, you're aiming for balance. A short paragraph or two won't adequately express your interest, while more than a page will lose theirs. Shoot for three to four paragraphs on a single, well-designed page with standard margins and space between sections. Avoid fancy fonts and opt instead for something clean and easy to read, like Calibri, Arial, Helvetica or Times New Roman. (Pay attention to font size, too. Usually, 10- to 12-point type is appropriate, depending on the font.)

Other mistakes to avoid in a cover letter

In addition to the common mistakes above, there are a few other missteps you'll want to avoid to ensure your cover letter serves as your best foot forward. These are less errors and more missed opportunities to distinguish your application from the competition. By being mindful of what you write about (and what you don't write about), you're more likely to develop a document that does what it's meant to do — land you an interview!

Lack of research

Don't shortcut research and miss the chance to align yourself with your dream job! Including a few details about the company and position will allow you to customize your cover letter, show you've got skin in the game and set yourself apart from other candidates.

Be sure to read the job description carefully and respond directly to the qualifications listed. Browse the company's website for insight into the type of work they do, the corporate culture and their mission, vision and values. This will help you correlate your work style with the company's and better communicate why you'd like to work there. Finally, research the company online to learn about current newsworthy happenings you might want to note. Yes, it's a lot of work — and yes, it can make a big difference.

Pro tip: Check the company's website for any recent press releases. If they've had big news lately — such as an acquisition, new product launch or other major event — making a brief mention in your cover letter can go a long way in showing how interested you are in the company.

Focusing only on yourself

Focusing your cover letter solely on all the wonderful things you've done won't set you apart from all the other qualified candidates. Instead, show how your knowledge and achievements can help the company solve its business challenges. After researching the website and analyzing the job description, ask yourself, "What does the company need that I can provide?" Notice how the question puts the focus on your qualities that would specifically benefit the organization. Try to keep those in mind while drafting your cover letter.

Repeating your resume

Another common cover letter mistake is simply reiterating what is found on your resume. Remember, the purpose of a cover letter is to complement your resume, not narrate it. Try to differentiate your cover letter from your resume by including details or context it doesn't reflect. For example, if your resume lists skills gained at a particular job, emphasize that information in your cover letter by describing an achievement you earned because of those skills.

Going off personal brand

First impressions matter, even in the form of a cover letter! Don't forget, the materials you submit during your job search represent your personal professional brand. You've got an image to uphold! Give your cover letter the same careful attention you paid to your resume, keeping the font, color and overall style consistent. Pro tip: If you selected an online template for your resume, there may be a matching cover letter template that can help bring a cohesive, branded look to your materials.

Forgetting to customize

A hiring manager probably isn't a fan of form letters and will know in a heartbeat if your cover letter is the same one you've sent dozens of other times, for dozens of other opportunities. You can make a connection and a huge impression by simply addressing your letter to the person who will read it. That may require doing a bit of investigative work on your part, but it will be worth making a phone call or doing an internet search if you can make the recipient feel you value their time enough to address them by name.

Forgetting to sign the letter

It seems like a no-brainer, but especially with online applications, it's easy to forget a warm, sincere signoff. There are a variety of closing phrases to choose from — Sincerely, Best regards, Respectfully yours, to name a few. Be sure to capitalize the first letter and follow with a comma. On the next line, enter your full name. (Type it in or set up an email signature if you submit your materials online.)

Cover letter ... check. On to the interview.

That about covers the most common cover letter mistakes and how to avoid them! Now you can boost your cover letter's impact and combine it with a top-notch resume to experience a real difference in response to your job applications. And when a recruiter does reach out to explore your skills further, we've got tips to help you shine in your next interview, too.

Our career growth resources hub has so many other great tools and advice to assist you along your professional path, whether you're a new graduate just getting started or a seasoned professional looking for new growth opportunities. Check it out!