Why Your Cover Letter Gets Rejected (5 MISTAKES TO AVOID)

Introduction

Crafting a strong cover letter is crucial in your job application journey. In this article, I’ll revisit my past experiences with a cover letter that led to countless rejections. By analyzing the five critical mistakes I made, you can learn what to avoid to maximize your chances of landing that all-important first-round interview. Let’s dive into the mistakes and how you can improve your own cover letter.

Mistake #1: Not Addressing the Letter to an Actual Human Being

Opening a cover letter with a generic greeting like “Dear Deloitte Recruiter” immediately sets a negative tone. The lack of personalization signals to the reader that you haven’t done your homework. Ideally, you want to address your letter to the direct manager of the role, or at the very least, the most senior person on the team.

If you’re unsure of the correct name, utilize LinkedIn for research. For example, in the case of applying to Deloitte, structures like “Senior Consultant, Manager, Senior Manager, Director, Partner, Managing Partner” can help narrow down who to address. Pro tip: If you find mutual connections on LinkedIn, consider reaching out to them to further enhance your networking before applying.

Mistake #2: Grammar Mistakes and Typos

Studies show that 80% of hiring managers consider spelling and grammar errors as deal-breakers—making it the most common reason for rejection. Even if you're not targeting a massive corporation, such mistakes can indicate a lack of attention to detail, raising doubts about your suitability as a candidate.

To avoid this pitfall, use tools like ChatGPT to help identify and correct grammatical errors. Always have five people review your cover letter, and as a clever trick, add an obvious mistake at the end to test their attentiveness.

Mistake #3: Not Spending Enough Time on the Hook

The first paragraph of your cover letter—your hook—should captivate the reader. A weak or generic introduction can reduce engagement. If you can swap the target company for a competitor and the paragraph still holds true, it's time to reevaluate.

Create an engaging opening that highlights a common pain point related to the company you’re applying for. For instance, if all entry-level roles are viewed as identical, you might say something like, “Everyone tells me all entry-level positions at the Big Four are the same; however, after extensive conversations with professionals, I can see what makes EY unique.”

To derive meaningful hooks, utilize AI tools like ChatGPT to help understand daily challenges associated with the role you aspire to fill.

Mistake #4: Not Including Tangible Results

Merely stating your experience or responsibilities without quantifying your impact misses an opportunity to showcase your value. Avoid vague claims such as “I have great client relationship skills.” Instead, illustrate your abilities with specific metrics, like “My project achieved a 96% client satisfaction rating, surpassing the company average of 85%.”

Using AI applications can help you find ways to quantify your experiences, allowing you to present your skills in a compelling and measurable manner.

Mistake #5: Being Unaware of Cover Letter Hygiene

Elements like excessive personal details (such as your full street address), unnecessary acronyms, industry jargon, and overly lengthy content can hinder your cover letter's effectiveness. Avoid including information that serves no purpose for your application; your full address isn’t necessary, and neither is a long-winded explanation of acronyms that the hiring manager may not understand. Keep your cover letter concise—ideally under two pages—to showcase your ability to prioritize essential information.

Bonus Mistake: Creating Your Cover Letter from Scratch

For those still with me, I’m offering a free PDF of a good cover letter as a reference for crafting your own. Additionally, once you have your cover letter polished, enhance your chances by networking. Statistically, most cover letters are read only after a personal connection has been established.

Keyword

• Cover letter
• Hiring managers
• Personalization
• Grammar mistakes
• Engagement
• Tangible results
• Networking

FAQ

Q: Why is it important to address my cover letter to a specific person?
A: Personalized addressing shows that you've done your research and are genuinely interested in the company, making a stronger first impression.

Q: How can I effectively check my cover letter for grammar mistakes?
A: Use tools like ChatGPT or Grammarly, and ask multiple people to review it for you—especially looking for common pitfalls.

Q: What should I include in my cover letter's hook?
A: Your hook should resonate with a pain point specific to the company or position. Make it engaging and relevant to capture the reader's interest.

Q: How can I quantify my achievements in my cover letter?
A: Reflect on your past roles, identify measurable outcomes (like satisfaction scores or project impacts), and use these metrics to articulate your contributions effectively.

Q: How long should my cover letter be?
A: Ideally, keep it under two pages to ensure it's concise and focused on the most impactful experiences relevant to the job.