What Is a Common Cover Letter Mistake?

A cover letter can make or break your job application. It’s your first chance to show an employer why you’re the right fit, yet many job seekers unknowingly make critical mistakes that get their applications ignored.

So, what’s the most common cover letter mistake?

The biggest mistake job seekers make is being too generic. A generic cover letter that isn’t tailored to the job fails to grab attention, making it look like you’ve copied and pasted the same letter for multiple applications. Employers can spot this immediately—and it hurts your chances of getting an interview.

🔗 Authoritative Source: According to Harvard Business Review, personalised applications are far more persuasive than generic ones, increasing response rates from employers.

But being generic isn’t the only mistake—many cover letters are too long, poorly formatted, or fail to highlight relevant skills. Below, we’ll break down the biggest cover letter mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Using a Generic, Copy-and-Paste Cover Letter

Many job seekers think they can write one cover letter and send it to every job. But hiring managers can tell when a letter isn’t personalised, and it signals a lack of genuine interest in the role.

📌 Example of a Bad Generic Opening: "I am applying for the [Job Title] position at [Company Name]. I have strong skills in teamwork, communication, and problem-solving."

❌ Why It’s a Mistake: This could apply to any job at any company. It doesn’t show why you’re the right candidate for this specific role.

✅ How to Fix It: Personalise the opening by mentioning the company’s name and why you’re excited about this role.

📌 Example of a Strong, Tailored Opening: "I was thrilled to see the [Job Title] opening at [Company Name] because of your company’s reputation for innovation in [Industry]. With my background in [Relevant Skill/Experience], I’m eager to contribute to your team."

🔗 Authoritative Source: A study by Zety found that 61% of hiring managers prefer personalised cover letters that reference the company’s values, mission, or projects.

2. Making Your Cover Letter Too Long

Hiring managers don’t have time to read lengthy cover letters. If your letter is longer than one page, you risk losing their attention.

✔ The Ideal Length: 3-5 short paragraphs on a single page (around 250–400 words).

❌ Mistake: Writing a cover letter that repeats everything from your CV instead of adding new value.

✅ How to Fix It: Focus on 2-3 key skills or achievements that directly relate to the job.

📌 Client Success Story: A client of mine had a two-page cover letter that repeated their entire CV. We rewrote it to focus on just three key achievements, keeping it concise and impactful. They landed an interview within two weeks.

🔗 Authoritative Source: Research from Indeed confirms that shorter, more focused cover letters perform best.

3. Focusing Too Much on Yourself Instead of the Company

❌ Mistake: Many cover letters sound like an autobiography rather than showing how the candidate can help the company.

📌 Bad Example: "I have always been passionate about marketing. I studied marketing at university, and I love creative campaigns. I am looking for a role that will allow me to grow and develop my skills."

✅ How to Fix It: Shift the focus to what you can do for the company.

📌 Good Example: "With my experience in social media marketing and campaign management, I am confident I can help [Company Name] increase engagement and brand awareness. In my previous role, I grew organic social media reach by 40% in six months."

🔗 Authoritative Source: According to Forbes, the most successful cover letters focus on the employer’s needs, not just the candidate’s background.

4. Not Using Keywords (Failing the ATS Test)

Many companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to scan cover letters and CVs for relevant keywords. If your letter doesn’t include the right keywords, it may never reach a human recruiter.

🔎 How to Optimise for ATS: ✔ Use keywords from the job description (e.g., if the ad mentions “project management,” include that exact phrase in your letter). ✔ Avoid overloading with buzzwords—it still needs to sound natural.

📌 Client Example: A job seeker kept getting rejected despite having strong experience. After optimising their cover letter with industry-specific keywords, they started receiving interview invites within weeks.

🔗 Authoritative Source: JobScan states that over 98% of Fortune 500 companies use ATS software, making keyword optimisation essential for job applications.

5. Forgetting to Include a Strong Call to Action

❌ Mistake: Ending your cover letter without a clear next step.

📌 Bad Closing Example: "I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you for your time."

✅ How to Fix It: Use a confident call to action that encourages a response.

📌 Good Closing Example: "I would love the opportunity to discuss how my skills align with [Company Name]’s goals. I am available for an interview at your convenience and can be reached at [Your Contact Information]. Looking forward to your response."

🔗 Authoritative Source: The UK National Careers Service advises that a strong closing statement increases the likelihood of getting an interview invitation.

Final Thoughts: How to Avoid Common Cover Letter Mistakes

A great cover letter is concise, personalised, and focused on the employer’s needs. Avoiding generic language, excessive length, and a lack of keywords will increase your chances of getting noticed.

📌 Client Success Story: A client struggling with job applications had a cover letter that was too vague and lengthy. After rewriting it to be shorter, more direct, and keyword-optimised, they secured interviews for multiple positions within a month.

If you’re not getting interviews, your cover letter might be the problem. A professional cover letter writing service ensures your application is clear, persuasive, and tailored to the job.

📩 Need a standout cover letter? Let’s make sure your words work for you!