The Most Common Mistakes in Cover Letters

The smartest job seekers know that writing a cover letter — even if it’s not required — brings with it a bushel of benefits. And yet, if your letter doesn’t stand out, or if it makes just one of many common mistakes, it could sink your entire application.

How can you ensure that this critical document is helping rather than hurting you? By following a three-part process I call “EAR.” “EAR” means you need to answer three questions:

1. Why are you *excited* about the job?
2. Why are you *able* to do the job?
3. Why are the *right* person for the job?

Learn how to make “EAR” work for you and your career in this comprehensive workshop. We’ll study everything from your subject line to your salutation to whether you should include your letter as an attachment or in the body of the email.

Among the lessons you’ll learn:

📌 How to write to the job description.
📌 How to line up your capabilities with their requirements.
📌 How to show off not only your skills but also your personality.

Transcript

1. This letter is to let you know that we have
   selected another candidate.
   After reviewing the many applications we received,
   yours was not selected for further consideration.
   I am sorry to have to tell you that we cannot offer you a
   position.
   The MOST COMMON
   Mistakes in
   Cover Letters
   We have determined that another candidate
   is the most qualified for the requirements of this job.
   

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3. Overview Logistics Subject Line
   Opening Body Bonus Tips
   Instructions
   Closing
   

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4. Cover letters are a touchy subject.
   Because they’re so personal, they
   inspire strongly felt beliefs.
   

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5. Cover letters are a touchy subject.
   Because they’re so personal, they
   inspire strongly felt beliefs.
   Yet even experts disagree
   about many of the rules.
   

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6. Cover letters are a touchy subject.
   Because they’re so personal, they
   inspire strongly felt beliefs.
   Yet even experts disagree
   about many of the rules.
   So, if something I suggest
   conflicts with what you’ve
   been taught, please say so.
   

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7. OVERVIEW
   

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8. Should you write a cover
   letter if it’s not asked for?
   

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9. Should your cover letter
   recap your résumé?
   

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11. To highlight key
    parts of your résumé.
    To elaborate on the
    “summary” section
    in your résumé.
    To align your
    qualifications with
    the needs of the job.
    To validate your
    writing skills.
    To explain any gaps
    in your résumé.
    To neutralize any
    lack of prerequisites.
    To show your
    personality.
    

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13. A cover letter has one purpose that
    exceeds all the others. What is it?
    

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14. Instructions
    

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15. 1. Attach all your materials
    in a single PDF.
    2. Specify your salary
    requirements.
    3. Include three professional
    references.
    

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16. “If you think I’m a stickler, you should talk
    to my clients. The most common reaction
    I hear from them is, ‘If the candidate can’t
    follow simple application instructions, how
    will she perform on the job?’ They also say,
    ‘If the candidate doesn’t care enough to read
    the instructions, she must not be very
    interested in the job.’ It’s hard to argue
    with either point.”
    — Claire Kittle Dixon
    

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17. Logistics
    

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18. Should you include your cover letter as an
    attachment, or in the body of your email?
    

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19. 1
    Convenience
    

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20. 1 2
    Convenience Technology
    

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21. 1 2 3
    Convenience Technology Security
    

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22. If an attachment is asked for, should you send an
    Adobe Acrobat file (a PDF) or a Word document?
    

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23. Subject Line
    If the job description doesn’t specify one.
    

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24. Amateurs
    Executive Secretary
    White House Job
    Professionals
    I want to be President Bartlet’s
    new executive secretary
    Deborah, I Heard the President
    Needs an Executive Secretary…
    

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25. Opening
    

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26. Amateurs
    Dear Deborah Fiderer
    Professionals
    Dear Ms. Fiderer
    Dear Deborah
    

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27. How should you address your recruiter
    if you can’t ascertain her name?
    

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28. Amateurs
    To Whom It May Concern
    Dear Sir
    Dear KPMG
    Professionals
    Good Morning
    Hi There
    Greetings
    

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29. What about “Dear Recruiter”?
    

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30. Amateurs
    Dear Recruiter
    Professionals
    Good Morning
    

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31. Should you say,
    “My name is _________”?
    

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32. Amateurs
    My name is C.J. Cregg, and I’m
    writing to apply for the position
    of Press Secretary.
    Professionals
    I’m writing to apply for the
    position of Press Secretary.
    

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33. Body
    

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34. E A R
    EXCITED ABLE RIGHT
    

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35. E A R
    EXCITED ABLE RIGHT
    

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36. “The first time I scanned a check with my
    smartphone, I was delighted by how simple
    deposits suddenly became. Now that I’m
    in the market for a job, I immediately thought
    of Chase because I want to help to create
    the tools that make banking a pleasure.”
    — Adam Dachis
    

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37. “I was an hour out from my first big dinner
    party when I realized I had forgotten to
    pick up the white wine. In a panic, I started
    Googling grocery-delivery services, and that’s
    when I found Instacart. I’ve been hooked ever
    since, so I couldn’t help but get excited by the
    idea of bringing the amazingness of Instacart
    to shoddy planners like me as your next
    social-media manager.”
    — The Muse
    

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38. E A R
    EXCITED ABLE RIGHT
    

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39. “I know I can do this job because I’ve done it
    before. Let me tell you about Snapshots. Snapshots
    was an internal e-newsletter for the Department of
    Homeland Security, for which I served as the chief
    writer. Each week, I’d translate highly technical
    research into stories. I illuminated these concepts
    in a way that our readers understood and thus
    became keen to learn more about. As a result,
    Snapshots was frequently cited in top-tier media
    outlets like CNN and Popular Science.”
    — Jonathan Rick
    

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40. “This is the best cover letter I’ve seen
    in my 20 years as a recruiter.”
    — Lindsay Olson
    

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41. I spent a year at the World Bank, where
    I wrote and edited stories on topics
    such as good governance, big data,
    technology, and citizen engagement.
    Not only do I use all these platforms
    personally; I also grew the World’s
    Bank audience on Facebook and Flickr
    by 25% in just 3 months.
    I am conversationally fluent in Spanish,
    and am double-majoring in Spanish
    and Business.
    Strong writing and editing skills.
    Strong understanding of social media
    platforms, including Facebook,
    Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Twitter.
    Spanish or French language skills
    a plus.
    That’s Me!
    You’re Looking For
    

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42. How do you address the fact
    that you lack a prerequisite?
    

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43. Amateurs
    I know I’m not as qualified
    as other candidates, but I’m
    a hard worker.
    Professionals
    What I lack in years of
    experience I make up for
    in productivity, persistence,
    and passion.
    

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44. Amateurs
    I’ve never been an official
    “community manager,”
    but I’m a quick study.
    Professionals
    While you won’t find the title
    “community manager” listed on
    my résumé, I’ve been bringing
    people together online and off
    for three years while running
    my own blog and series of
    Meetups.
    

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45. E A R
    EXCITED ABLE RIGHT
    

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46. “So, why should we hire you?”
    — Every recruiter everywhere
    

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47. “Many PowerPointers can build interesting
    images, but they’re all thumbs when it comes
    to shaping a narrative. Similarly, most writers
    can script a story, but they don’t know how
    to exploit PowerPoint beyond using one
    of those built-in, off-the-rack templates.
    With me, you get the best of both worlds.
    Not only can I design pictures that dazzle;
    I can also write words that resonate. Put
    simply, I’m both a designer and a writer.”
    — Jonathan Rick
    

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48. “What makes me different from the 200,000
    other social media ‘gurus’ and ‘ninjas’ you’ve
    likely bumped into? Not only have I led digital
    teams for such blue-chip brands as Citgo, Kia,
    and Booz Allen Hamilton; I’ve also trained
    executives from Visa, Twitter, and chambers
    of commerce across the country. What’s more,
    I write for, and am quoted in, publications such
    as Mashable, Time, and Politico. In other words,
    when it comes to social media, both my peers
    and the media consider me an expert.”
    — Jonathan Rick
    

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49. How can you ascertain
    a company’s culture?
    

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50. 1. Job description.
    2. The “about” section
    on their website.
    

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51. The ideal candidate will be
    prepared for a wide range
    of responsibilities on a daily
    basis, with the ability to quickly
    shift priorities when needed.
    1/3
    

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52. You flourish in our collaborative
    culture. You smile in the face of
    deadlines. You grit your teeth at
    bad copy. You want to have lots
    of fun delivering amazing work.
    2/3
    

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53. We want protagonists
    to history, not spectators.
    3/3
    

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54. Closing
    

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55. Amateurs
    I’ll follow-up with you in one
    week.
    Feel free to contact me by email
    or phone, as set forth above.
    Professionals
    At your convenience, I’d love
    to learn more about your needs
    and see how I can contribute
    to your team’s success.
    When you get a chance, I’d
    welcome the opportunity
    to chat.
    

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56. COUNTER-
    ARGUMENT
    

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57. Aren’t cover letters supposed to be formal?
    

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58. Dear Ms. Thomas:
    At the University of Maryland Fall Career Fair, I had
    the opportunity to speak with a recruiter and learn
    about the entry-level Quality Control position
    available with Merck & Company, Inc. I will
    graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science in
    mathematics, specializing in statistics. My interest in
    corporate production and plant management has
    prompted me to contact you about this opportunity.
    As you can see from my résumé, my production
    internship with Kraft Foods last summer included
    valuable experience in both quality control and
    operations management. I have also taken many
    related courses, which I’m certain will provide a
    strong theoretical foundation for employment in this
    area.
    The University of Maryland Career Center
    

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59. These courses include Applied Research Methods,
    Business Statistics, Collective Bargaining and
    Operations Management. I have also been active in
    many business-related campus activities. My self-
    motivation and independent work ethic, along with
    my aptitude for statistics, make me a strong candidate
    for this position.
    I am eager to meet with you to further discuss this
    exciting opportunity. I look forward to hearing from
    you regarding next steps in the process. Thank you
    for your time and consideration.
    Sincerely,
    Jason Vincent
    The University of Maryland Career Center
    

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60. Bonus Tips
    

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61. AVOID THIS WORD
    

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62. Amateurs
    I feel I can help Toby deliver
    better briefings.
    Professionals
    I’m confident I can help Toby
    deliver better briefings.
    

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63. BREAK THE RULES
    

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64. 3 Reasons Why You Should Hire Me
    Jonathan Rick
    

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65. 3 Reasons Why You Should Hire Me
    Dear Mr. Seaborn,
    The DCCC job board says you’re looking for a
    contract speechwriter. I’d love to help!
    In lieu of a traditional cover letter, here are the top
    three things you should know about me:
    1. I’m a freelance speechwriter, based just outside
    Washington, D.C., who’s been helping people polish
    their words for 15 years.
    2. My work has appeared in a wide variety of
    publications, including the New York Times, the
    Washington Post, Time Magazine, Politico, Fast
    Company, HuffPost, and many more.
    3. I promise each client these three things.
    Jonathan Rick
    

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66. Kid Sends Perfectly Blunt Cover Letter
    for Wall Street Internship, and Now
    Tons of People Are Trying to Hire Him
    

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67. Dear Mr. Jones,
    My name is Matthew Ross, and I am an
    undergraduate finance student at San Diego State
    University. I met you the summer before last at Smith
    & Wollensky’s in New York when I was touring the
    east coast with my uncle, Sam Ross. I just wanted
    thank you for taking the time to talk to me that night.
    I am writing you to inquire about a possible summer
    internship in your office. I am aware it is highly
    unusual for undergraduates from average universities
    like SDSU to intern at Duff & Phelps, but
    nevertheless I was hoping you might make an
    exception. I am extremely interested in investment
    banking and would love nothing more than to learn
    under your tutelage. I have no qualms about fetching
    coffee, shining shoes or picking up laundry, and will
    work for next to nothing. In all honesty, I just want to
    be around professionals in the industry and gain as
    much knowledge as I can.
    Matthew Ross, Page 1
    

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68. I won’t waste your time inflating my credentials,
    throwing around exaggerated job titles, or feeding
    you a line of crapp about how my past experiences
    and skill set align perfectly with an investment
    banking internship. The truth is I have no
    unbelievably special skills or genius eccentricities,
    but I do have a near perfect GPA and will work hard
    for you. I’ve interned at Merrill Lynch in the Wealth
    Management Division and taken an investment
    banking class at SDSU, for whatever that is worth.
    I am currently awaiting admission results for SDSU’s
    Masters of Science in Accountancy program, which I
    would begin this fall if admitted. I am also planning
    on attending law school after my master’s program,
    which we spoke about in New York. I apologize for
    the blunt nature of my letter, but I hope you seriously
    consider taking me under your wing this summer. I
    have attached my resume for your review. Feel free to
    call me at (123) 456-7890 or email me at
    matthew@ross.com. Thank you for your time.
    Matthew Ross, Page 2
    

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69. The Best Cover Letter Even Written
    

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70. Dear Sir:
    I like words.
    I like fat buttery words, such as ooze, turpitude,
    glutinous, toady. I like solemn, angular, creaky
    words, such as straitlaced, cantankerous, pecunious,
    valedictory.
    I like spurious, black-is-white words, such as
    mortician, liquidate, tonsorial, demimonde. I like
    suave “V” words, such as Svengali, svelte, bravura,
    verve.
    I like crunchy, brittle, crackly words, such as splinter,
    grapple, jostle, crusty. I like sullen, crabbed,
    scowling words, such as skulk, glower, scabby, churl.
    Robert Pirosh, Page 1
    

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71. I like Oh-Heavens, my-gracious, land’s-sake words,
    such as tricksy, tucker, genteel, horrid. I like elegant,
    flowery words, such as estivate, peregrinate, elysium,
    halcyon.
    I like wormy, squirmy, mealy words, such as crawl,
    blubber, squeal, drip. I like sniggly, chuckling words,
    such as cowlick, gurgle, bubble, and burp.
    I like the word screenwriter better than copywriter, so
    I decided to quit my job in a New York advertising
    agency and try my luck in Hollywood, but before
    taking the plunge I went to Europe for a year of
    study, contemplation, and horsing around.
    I have just returned and I still like words.
    May I have a few with you?
    Robert Pirosh, Page 2
    

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72. EXTRA CREDIT
    

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73. Why should
    I hire you?
    

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74. 1. Avoid clichés.
    2. Avoid selfishness.
    

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75. 1. Passion.
    2. Confidence.
    3. Specifics.
    

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76. We’re excited to extend this offer of employment for the position
    of Associate Director of People Operations.
    Congratulations! We are pleased to confirm you have
    been selected to work for the Department of Defense.
    On behalf of the Museum of Natural History, I’m
    delighted to offer you a position as Vice President.
    Welcome to the team at Arnold & Porter.
    Tell me your
    pet peeves!
    hi@jonathanrick.com
    

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