5 common mistakes you need to avoid while drafting cover letters

A cover letter offers a great opportunity for every individual to make a lasting impression on the employer. This well-curated and detailed extension of your resume helps you express how your skills, abilities, and experience make you a perfect fit for the role and how you can contribute meaningfully to the organization’s growth.

That said, crafting a compelling cover letter demands careful attention to detail. Often, candidates commit silly errors that are enough to undermine a strong resume and push your application to the bottom of the pile. Plus, the intense competition in the job market lowers your chances for redemption even further.

So, here are 5 mistakes that you must avoid at all costs while drafting a cover letter for your dream job.

1. Sending out a generic version – The most common mistake that individuals make is failing to tailor the cover letter to the job. Using a mass-produced or stock cover letter signals a lack of genuine interest in the job role and laziness. Whereas, customizing your cover letter shows enthusiasm to take up the responsibilities and easily sets you apart from the crowd. Hence, spend adequate time researching the company and understanding the role, and then write a letter describing how your skills and abilities align perfectly with what the role demands.

2. Repeating the resume – Many believe that a cover letter is just a summarized version of their resume. However, this is not at all true. By repeating the same information, individuals waste the opportunity to offer a story behind their achievements or how their qualifications allowed them to gain some valuable experiences. For instance, this is the best time to elaborate on your technical and soft skills that allowed you to contribute to the success of various projects in the past, and how you can ensure the same in the future. Doing so will make the letter engaging for the reader and also drive focus on your key abilities.

3. Overloading with irrelevant information – While adding important information is crucial, overloading the letter with unnecessary details like stories of your pets or an anecdote of your recent trip to the mountains under the garb of flowery language can diminish its impact. Keep it simple, focusing on what you bring to the table and how it can contribute to the company’s holistic growth. In addition, avoid using cliché statements like ‘I’m a hard worker, I’m highly disciplined, or I’m a passionate individual, unless you have something substantial to support your statements. Remember, hiring managers greatly value quantity over quality, so draft a concise yet impactful copy.

4. Not addressing the hiring manager properly – Starting your letter with a generic phrase like ‘To whomever it may concern’ shows that you have not done your homework properly. You must address the hiring manager directly by adding their name along with a salutation. Use professional networking websites like LinkedIn or visit the actual website of the company to find the name of the hiring manager. Keep in mind, making such small efforts definitely gets acknowledged.

5. Skipping to proofread and edit before sending – Though seemingly small concerns, grammatical errors, typos, or spelling mistakes in your cover letter can leave a negative impression. They signal carelessness and lack of attention to detail – traits no employer wants or appreciates in their workforce. So, before sending them your cover letter, go through it multiple times or use grammar tools easily available online to refine it. An error-free cover letter conveys professionalism and enhances your chances of landing the job, so leave no stone unturned.