13 cover letter mistakes that get you rejected in 30 seconds

The specific opening lines, phrases, and structural choices that make recruiters close the tab — and what to write instead.

A cover letter has one job: get the recruiter to open your resume. Most letters fail at that job in the first sentence. Here are the thirteen most common ways cover letters kill their own applications — and the specific rewrite for each.

Opening line mistakes

'To Whom It May Concern' — spend 30 seconds finding the hiring manager's name on LinkedIn.
'I am writing to apply for…' — the recruiter knows why you're writing. Skip it.
'My name is…' — your name is in the signature and header.
Long personal history intro — the letter isn't autobiographical.

Body mistakes

Restating your resume — the recruiter has your resume. Use the letter to add context, not repeat it.
Generic praise for the company — 'I've always admired your commitment to excellence' means nothing.
Talking about what you want to learn — recruiters hire for what you can do, not what you want to do.
Skills without proof — 'I'm a great communicator' with no example is filler.

Closing mistakes

'I look forward to hearing from you' — passive. Say what you'll do next.
'Please let me know if you have any questions' — obvious.
'Thank you for your consideration' — meaningless polite closer.

Structural mistakes

Longer than one page — cut ruthlessly.
Same cover letter for every role — recruiters can tell, instantly.
PDF named 'cover_letter.pdf' — use 'FirstLast_Cover.pdf'.

The rewrite formula

Paragraph 1: one sentence naming the role + one concrete reason you're a strong fit. Paragraph 2: your two most relevant achievements, tied to the role. Paragraph 3: what you'll do first if hired + a specific next step.

FAQ

Do cover letters still matter?

For roles under Senior Manager, yes — 74% of hiring managers still read them. Above that level, an intro email replaces the letter.

Can I use AI to write my cover letter?

As a first draft, sure. But the version you send has to sound like you and include specifics AI can't invent — company research, role-specific examples, why you.