5 Cover Letter Mistakes That Kill Your Application
Most cover letters are ignored because of the same avoidable errors. From generic openers to missing the job's actual requirements — here's what to fix.
A strong cover letter can be the difference between getting an interview and getting ghosted. Yet most candidates make the same five mistakes over and over.
1. Starting with "I am writing to apply for..."
This is the most generic opening in job applications. The recruiter already knows you're applying — they're reading your application. Instead, open with something specific about the company or role that excited you, or lead with your most relevant achievement.
2. Repeating your resume
Your cover letter is not a paragraph version of your CV. It should tell the story behind the bullets — why you did what you did, what you learned, and how it connects to this specific role. Add context your resume can't.
3. Writing a generic letter for every application
Hiring managers can spot a copy-paste job instantly. Every cover letter should reference the specific company name, the role title, and at least one detail from the job description. This takes extra time but dramatically increases response rates.
4. Making it all about you
A cover letter should be 70% about the company and role, 30% about you. Frame your experience in terms of what you can do for them, not what they can do for your career.
5. Forgetting the call to action
End with a clear, confident next step: "I'd love to discuss how my experience in X can contribute to your team's goals. I'm available for a conversation at your convenience." Don't just trail off.
How DeckdOut helps
DeckdOut generates a tailored cover letter for each job in seconds, using your actual resume and the specific job description. Choose from professional, friendly, or concise tones. It's a starting point you can personalise — not a template.
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