When it comes to job applications, your cover letter can either make or break your chances. While a CV highlights your skills and experience, the cover letter is your chance to tell your story, show personality, and connect with the employer. Unfortunately, many job seekers make common mistakes that weaken their applications and cost them interviews.
Career coaches often emphasize that avoiding these cover letter mistakes can be the difference between landing your dream job and being overlooked. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common errors and how to fix them, with insights from career coaching strategies.
1. Using a Generic Template for Every Application
One of the biggest cover letter mistakes is sending the same generic letter to every employer. Hiring managers can easily spot a copy-paste job. It shows a lack of effort and fails to highlight why you’re the best fit for that specific role.
Career Coach Tip: Always customize your cover letter by referencing the company’s values, the job description, and specific skills that make you a strong candidate.
2. Repeating What’s Already on Your CV
Your cover letter shouldn’t just restate your CV. Instead, it should complement it by providing context, achievements, and motivations. Repeating bullet points makes your application boring and less impactful.
Career Coach Tip: Use the cover letter to share a short success story or example that demonstrates how your skills delivered results in a previous role.
3. Focusing Too Much on Yourself
Many job seekers make the mistake of writing about what they want from the role, rather than focusing on how they can add value to the company. Employers care more about what you can contribute than what you hope to gain.
Career Coach Tip: Frame your letter around the company’s needs and explain how your skills, experience, and passion will help them achieve their goals.
4. Using an Overly Formal or Informal Tone
Your tone sets the first impression. Being too formal can make you sound robotic, while being overly casual can come across as unprofessional. Finding the right balance is key.
Career Coach Tip: Match the tone of your cover letter to the company’s culture. A corporate bank may require a formal tone, while a creative agency might appreciate a more relaxed, enthusiastic approach.
5. Writing a Novel Instead of a Letter
Another common cover letter mistake is making it too long. Recruiters often spend less than a minute scanning a cover letter, so lengthy paragraphs can work against you.
Career Coach Tip: Keep it short and powerful. Aim for 3–4 concise paragraphs that highlight your skills, achievements, and enthusiasm for the role.
6. Neglecting to Research the Company
A cover letter that feels generic often signals that the applicant didn’t research the company. Employers want to see genuine interest and alignment with their mission and values.
Career Coach Tip: Mention something specific about the company — like a recent achievement, project, or value statement — to show you’ve done your homework.
7. Addressing It Incorrectly (or Not at All)
“Dear Sir/Madam” is outdated and impersonal. Failing to address your letter to the right person is one of the simplest yet most damaging cover letter mistakes.
Career Coach Tip: If the job listing doesn’t mention a contact name, do a quick LinkedIn or company website search. If all else fails, use “Dear Hiring Manager.”
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8. Poor Formatting and Typos
Even if your content is great, sloppy formatting or grammatical errors will leave a poor impression. A cover letter with typos signals carelessness, which can be a dealbreaker.
Career Coach Tip: Use a clean, professional layout with consistent fonts. Always proofread multiple times — and if possible, ask someone else to review it before submission.
9. Forgetting a Call to Action
Ending your cover letter without a clear call to action is another mistake. Employers should be left knowing exactly what you expect next.
Career Coach Tip: End with confidence. For example: “I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills can contribute to your team. I am available at your convenience for an interview.”
10. Not Showing Enthusiasm
A technically perfect cover letter that lacks enthusiasm won’t stand out. Employers want to see passion and genuine excitement about the role.
Career Coach Tip: Express authentic enthusiasm by highlighting why this role and company excite you. Passion is often just as important as skills.
Bonus: Forgetting to Follow Instructions
Sometimes employers include specific instructions for submitting a cover letter. Ignoring these details — like naming your file correctly or answering a specific question — is a mistake that could disqualify you immediately.
Career Coach Tip: Always double-check the job description for instructions and follow them carefully.
Conclusion
Your cover letter is your chance to make a powerful first impression, but it’s easy to fall into common traps. By avoiding these cover letter mistakes — from being too generic to forgetting a call to action — you’ll stand out as a more prepared, professional, and passionate candidate.
Remember, career coaches stress that the cover letter is your storytelling tool. It’s where you connect your experience to the employer’s needs and show why you’re the perfect fit. If you invest the time to craft a strong, tailored cover letter, you’ll dramatically increase your chances of landing an interview and getting one step closer to your dream job.
