Aug 16, 2025
7 mins to read
Your cover letter shapes a hiring manager's first impression. Avoid these seven mistakes to strengthen your job application.
Cover Letter Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Bad Formatting
- A cover letter should be one page long and have three to four concise paragraphs.
- Use a tidy header with your name phone email and professional profile URL.
- Use the same font and margins as your résumé.
- Use the recruiting manager's title and company in your email
- For better readability stay away from long paragraphs
Mistake 2: Boring First Lines
- Get started with excitement
- Tell them how you found the position or what you like about the firm
- Don't use general terms like "I'm applying for"
- A good introduction sets a good mood
Mistake 3: Putting Yourself First
- Show how your expertise can help the company
- Use words from the job description
- For example write down that you saw a notable increase in sales
- Show that you know what they need
Mistake 4: Not having a personality
- Share a brief career anecdote in the third paragraph to illustrate passion or achievement
- Put numbers on results like training team members
- Be excited while still being professional
Mistake 5: No Call to Action
- Finish with a clear request such as "Please call me to set up an interview"
- A direct closing communicates that you are sure of yourself and encourages action
Mistake 6: Giving too much information
- Choose three or four accomplishments that are important
- If you need to use bullet points to make things clearer
- For instance say that you can save time by making a procedure easier
- Put quality ahead of quantity
Mistake 7: Content That Is Too General
- Make each letter fit the job
- Talk about the company's mission or a new product introduction
- Industry data shows many hiring managers don't like generic letters
- Being specific demonstrates that you care
Things you can do to make your application better
| Resource | What it is |
|---|---|
| Toolkit for Moving Up in Your Career | There are templates and lessons for resumes cover letters and interviews |
| Professional Development Platforms | Classes on how to write good job applications |
| Career Resources | Articles about the latest trends and tips for finding a job |
- Do Something
- Make your cover letter better so you don't make these mistakes
- Tell us what your biggest problem with your cover letter is in the comments so that you may get help and meet new people
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