{"id":291,"date":"2026-06-13T05:18:14","date_gmt":"2026-06-13T05:18:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/"},"modified":"2026-07-19T00:05:09","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T00:05:09","slug":"cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/","title":{"rendered":"Cover Letter Mistakes That Get You Ignored"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Cover letter mistakes that get you ignored is the focus of this expert guide. Cover letters do not often get people hired on their own. But they regularly get people eliminated. Here are the most common cover letter mistakes and how to avoid them.<\/p>\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/writing-cover-letter.jpg\" alt=\"Person writing a cover letter by hand at a desk\" style=\"max-width:100%;height:auto;\"\/><\/figure>\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#Copying_the_job_description_back_to_them\" >Copying the job description back to them<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#Starting_with_a_generic_opener\" >Starting with a generic opener<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#Making_it_all_about_you_not_them\" >Making it all about you, not them<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#Forgetting_to_proofread\" >Forgetting to proofread<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#Read_next\" >Read next<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions\" >Frequently Asked Questions<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#Should_I_always_include_a_cover_letter\" >Should I always include a cover letter?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#How_long_should_a_cover_letter_be\" >How long should a cover letter be?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#What_should_the_first_sentence_of_a_cover_letter_say\" >What should the first sentence of a cover letter say?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#What_should_I_leave_out_of_a_cover_letter\" >What should I leave out of a cover letter?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-that-get-you-ignored\/#Get_your_free_resume_review\" >Get your free resume review<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Copying_the_job_description_back_to_them\"><\/span>Copying the job description back to them<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The most common cover letter mistake is restating the job requirements as if listing them proves you have them. &#8220;Your posting listed a need for strong communication skills and I have strong communication skills&#8221; says absolutely nothing. Show evidence, do not echo requirements.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Starting_with_a_generic_opener\"><\/span>Starting with a generic opener<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Beginning with &#8220;I am writing to express my interest in the X position at Y Company&#8221; is such a common opener that it registers as noise. Lead with something specific about your background and why it connects to this role. For more on this, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-vs-no-cover-letter\/\">cover letter vs. no cover letter<\/a>.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Making_it_all_about_you_not_them\"><\/span>Making it all about you, not them<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best cover letters are about the intersection of what you bring and what they need. A cover letter that is purely a self-description without acknowledging what the company does or what they are trying to accomplish reads as self-centered.<\/p><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Forgetting_to_proofread\"><\/span>Forgetting to proofread<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A typo in a cover letter for a role that requires strong written communication is disqualifying. Proofread twice, use a spell checker, and ideally have someone else read it before you submit.<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Read_next\"><\/span>Read next<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><ul class=\"wp-block-list atr-read-next\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/career-change-cover-letter\/\">How to Write a Career Change Cover Letter That Works<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-for-recent-graduate\/\">Cover Letter for a Recent Graduate: A Step-by-Step Guide<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/how-to-write-a-cover-letter\/\">How to Write a Cover Letter That Actually Gets Read<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions\"><\/span>Frequently Asked Questions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Should_I_always_include_a_cover_letter\"><\/span>Should I always include a cover letter?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Include one when requested, when writing ability is core to the role, or when you need to explain context your resume cannot. For high-volume technical roles, it is often not read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_long_should_a_cover_letter_be\"><\/span>How long should a cover letter be?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three to four short paragraphs, 200-300 words maximum. If you are writing more, you are probably repeating your resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_the_first_sentence_of_a_cover_letter_say\"><\/span>What should the first sentence of a cover letter say?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with something specific. &#8220;I have spent four years doing exactly what this role requires&#8221; beats &#8220;I am excited to apply for this position.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_should_I_leave_out_of_a_cover_letter\"><\/span>What should I leave out of a cover letter?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do not restate your resume, explain why you need the job, apologize for gaps, or use clich\u00e9s. Every sentence should add information not already in the resume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most cover letters fail because they summarize the resume rather than add to it. A recruiter reading your cover letter already has your resume in hand. They do not need you to recap it. What they want to know is why this role, at this company, is one you are genuinely excited about, and what specific experience makes you a stronger candidate than the other 150 applicants who also ticked all the required boxes. For more on this, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/cover-letter-mistakes-rejection\/\">cover letter mistakes that get you rejected immediately<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The best cover letters I have seen treat the format like a brief business proposal. They open with a specific observation about the company or role, connect that observation to a relevant achievement, and close with a clear next step. This structure respects the hiring manager&#8217;s time while demonstrating that you have done real research rather than sending a mass application.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Length matters here, too. A cover letter should be between three and four paragraphs. Any shorter and it feels dismissive of the opportunity. Any longer and you are asking a busy hiring manager to read a document they typically spend less than thirty seconds on. Every sentence should either demonstrate fit, show enthusiasm, or move the reader closer to wanting to meet you.<\/p>\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One technique that consistently works is the mirroring approach. Take three words or phrases directly from the job description that describe the ideal candidate, then reflect them back using examples from your own experience. This shows attentiveness to what the employer actually wants while demonstrating that you meet those criteria without copying their language verbatim. For more on this, see our guide on <a href=\"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/internship-cover-letter\/\">write an internship cover letter that stands out<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\"\/><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Get_your_free_resume_review\"><\/span>Get your free resume review<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At AskTheRecruiter.com, a real recruiter reviews your resume and gives you honest, specific feedback. No AI, no templates, just a straight read from someone who knows what hiring managers want to see.<\/p><div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\"><div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-vivid-red-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button\" href=\"\/get-your-resume-reviewed\/\">Get My Free Resume Review<\/a><\/div><\/div><script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"atr-schema-jsonld\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Should I always include a cover letter?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Include one when requested, when writing ability is core to the role, or when you need to explain context your resume cannot. 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Learn the most common errors that turn a potential interview into a pass.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7908,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[21,25,27],"class_list":["post-291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cover-letters","tag-cover-letter","tag-job-application","tag-recruiter-tips"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=291"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5372,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/291\/revisions\/5372"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7908"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/asktherecruiter.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}