Most cover letters fail for the same handful of avoidable reasons. Fix these and you'll immediately stand out. Use this alongside our main how to write a cover letter guide.
1. Being generic
Sending the same letter to every employer is the number one mistake. Fix: tailor every letter to the specific advert and organisation — mirror its language and priorities.
2. Repeating your CV
Your cover letter should add context and motivation, not restate your CV. Fix: explain why your experience matters for this role.
3. Focusing on what you want
"This role would be great for my career" centres you, not the employer. Fix: lead with what you offer and the value you'd add.
4. A weak opening
"I am writing to apply for…" wastes your strongest line. Fix: open with a specific, relevant achievement or genuine reason you're a strong fit.
5. Too long or too vague
Hiring managers skim. Fix: one page, three or four tight paragraphs, concrete results not adjectives.
6. Typos and wrong details
A typo — or the wrong company name — signals carelessness. Fix: proofread, and double-check names and the role title.
7. No evidence
Claims without proof don't convince. Fix: quantify impact and give specific examples. See cover letter examples for how.
Practise what you've learned
Don't start from a blank page. Missiora's Employer-Aligned Cover Letter reads the job advert with Job Intelligence™ and drafts a tailored letter that mirrors what the employer actually asked for — then refine it in your own voice. Build the evidence behind your claims in your Career Passport™.
The mistakes recruiters notice immediately
- Generic templates. "I am writing to apply for the position of…" with no tailoring signals low effort.
- Repeating the CV. The letter should add context and motivation, not list the same bullets.
- Talking only about yourself. Balance "why me" with "why them".
- Clichés and filler. "Hard-working team player" says nothing; show it with an example.
- Wrong company name. The fastest route to the rejection pile — always proofread.
How to fix them
Address a named person, reference the actual role and organisation, and give concrete evidence. Read it aloud to catch clichés and awkward phrasing, and check the length is one page.
Get the structure right
Most mistakes disappear once you follow a clear structure — see how to write a cover letter and study real cover letter examples.