A good cover letter makes a difference, but common mistakes can flip that effect. In How to Write a Cover Letter, we covered the right structure — this article lists the most common mistakes to avoid.
1. Repeating Your Resume Word for Word
A cover letter isn't for re-listing every experience on your resume. You should pick your 1-2 most relevant experiences and explain why that experience matters for this position — not just what you did.
2. Writing a Generic Letter That Fits Any Posting
Sentences like "I want to contribute to your dynamic organization," which aren't specific to any company, immediately signal to the reader that this is a copy-paste letter. Mention a concrete detail you researched about the company.
3. Using the Wrong Company or Name
When sending the same cover letter to multiple companies, forgetting to update a company name left over from a previous application is a hard-to-recover-from mistake. Carefully check your cover letter before every submission.
4. Writing Too Long
A cover letter shouldn't go past half a page. A long, sprawling text doesn't get read — being short and to the point is always more effective.
5. Opening With Salary or Personal Demands
The focus of a cover letter isn't what you want — it's what you can bring to the company. Topics like salary expectations shouldn't appear in a cover letter unless asked — that topic is usually handled during the interview process.
6. Spelling and Punctuation Errors
Even a small typo can send a negative signal about your communication skills. Reading the text out loud before sending is an effective way to catch mistakes you might otherwise miss.
7. Using the Wrong or a Generic Salutation
Instead of "To Whom It May Concern," try to find the relevant person's name if possible (LinkedIn or the company's website usually helps). A nameless salutation isn't always bad, but a researched one leaves a stronger impression.
Use CV Mimarı to build a resume tailored to the posting that's consistent with your cover letter.
Build Your Resume Free8. Using an Overly Formal or Overly Casual Tone
Both extremes carry risk: overly formal language can feel distant, while overly casual language can undermine professionalism. It helps to gauge the balance by looking at the company's general communication tone (their website, the posting text).
9. Only Explaining "Why Me" and Skipping "Why This Company"
A strong cover letter works both ways: it explains both why you're a fit and why you chose this company. A letter that only talks about you stays one-sided and generic.
Conclusion
Most of these mistakes come from cover letters written in a rush or sent unchanged to every posting. Taking a few minutes to review the text for each application reveals your cover letter's real impact.