Common Cover Letter Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Many job seekers make common cover letter mistakes that cost them interviews. A strong cover letter can open doors, but even small cover letter errors can close them just as fast.
In today’s competitive job market, your cover letter is not a formality. It’s an opportunity to tell your story, make a connection, and explain precisely why you’re the right fit for the role.
In this post, we’ll walk through the most common cover letter mistakes and show you how to fix them, so your next application actually gets read.
The Most Common Cover Letter Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
1. Restating Your Resume Word for Word
Your cover letter isn’t a resume rehash. Simply listing your work history again wastes valuable space and tells the employer nothing new.
What to do instead: Use the cover letter to explain why your background matters. Choose one or two key experiences and go deeper. Focus on impact, context, and how your experience aligns with what they’re looking for.
Need help choosing the right highlights? Read our guide on how to highlight transferable skills.
2. Using a Generic Template for Every Job
Hiring managers can spot a generic letter from a mile away. And nothing says “I’m not that interested” like a copy-paste job.
What to do instead: Tailor your letter to the company and role. Mention the organization by name. Reference a recent initiative, core value, or mission that excites you. Show them you’ve done your research.
Need help with that? Learn how to customize your resume using keyword research.
3. Making It All About You
It’s tempting to focus on what you want: career growth, new challenges, and remote work. But employers want to know what they’ll get by hiring you.
What to do instead: Shift the focus to what you bring to the table. How will your experience solve their problems? How will you contribute to their goals?
Try this framework: “With my experience in [specific skill], I’m confident I can help [company] [achieve X result].”
Need help identifying your value? HiHello shares great advice on how to communicate your value in interviews (according to hiring leaders).
4. Being Too Formal (or Too Casual)
A robotic tone can make you sound stiff and impersonal, while an overly casual approach may come off as unprofessional.
What to do instead: Aim for professional but conversational. Write the way you’d speak in a job interview, clear, confident, and personable. And always proofread before hitting send.
Bonus tip: Don’t start with “To whom it may concern.” Try to find the hiring manager’s name or go with a modern greeting like “Dear [Job Title] Hiring Team.”
5. Making It Too Long (or Too Short)
If your letter is more than a page, most hiring managers won’t finish it. But a one-paragraph letter often feels rushed and generic.
What to do instead:
Stick to three short paragraphs:
- Why you are interested in the role
- What makes you a great fit
- A confident call to action
Want help with formatting your materials? Avoid these resume formatting myths that could also trip you up.
Final Thoughts on Fixing Common Cover Letter Mistakes
A great cover letter isn’t about being flashy; it’s about being precise, intentional, and aligned with the role. When done right, it adds context to your resume and shows hiring managers you’ve taken the time to make your case.
If you’ve been sending out cover letters without hearing back, it might be time for a refresh.
Need a second opinion on your materials? Start with a free resume review, or explore our resume writing packages to take the next step.
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