Your cover letter is often the first impression you make on a potential employer, especially when applying for an internship. It not only supplements your resume but also gives employers a glimpse of your personality, enthusiasm, and communication skills.
While writing a great cover letter can significantly boost your chances of landing an internship, making simple mistakes can have the opposite effect.
In this blog, we'll go over the most common errors people make when crafting cover letters and provide tips on how to ensure yours stands out for all the right reasons.
1. Generic Greetings and Openings
One of the most common mistakes is using generic greetings like "To Whom It May Concern" or starting with "Dear Hiring Manager." It gives the impression that you haven’t done your homework about the company or the position. Instead, make an effort to address your cover letter to a specific person, such as the hiring manager or team lead.
You can often find this information on the company website, LinkedIn, or by calling the company directly. Using a personalized greeting immediately shows your attention to detail and enthusiasm for the role.
Pro tip: If you cannot find a specific name, opt for a professional greeting like "Dear [Department] Hiring Team." It still shows a higher level of care compared to the generic alternatives.
2. Not Tailoring the Cover Letter to the Role
Another common mistake is using the same cover letter for multiple internship applications. Recruiters can easily tell when a letter is generic, which suggests a lack of genuine interest in the company.
A cookie-cutter cover letter that doesn’t mention the specific role or how your skills align with the company’s values will likely get overlooked.
Pro tip: Customize each cover letter to reflect the job description, the company culture, and the specific skills they’re seeking. Highlight relevant experience, even if it's from academic projects or volunteer work, to show you’ve thoughtfully considered how you can contribute.
3. Focusing Too Much on Yourself
It's important to strike a balance between showcasing your skills and explaining how you can benefit the company. One mistake applicants often make is focusing entirely on what the internship can do for them instead of what they can bring to the table.
While it’s natural to mention how the position aligns with your career goals, your cover letter should primarily focus on how you’ll contribute to the organization’s success.
Pro tip: Show that you understand the company’s needs by discussing how your skills and experiences can help them achieve their objectives. Use specific examples to illustrate your potential contributions.
4. Repeating Your Resume
Your cover letter is not meant to be a summary of your resume. Many candidates fall into the trap of listing their past jobs, education, and skills in the same format as their resume, which defeats the purpose. The cover letter should supplement your resume by adding context to your experiences and showing your personality.
Pro tip: Use your cover letter to explain why yourresumehighlights are relevant to the internship you're applying for. You can also share personal anecdotes or experiences that don’t fit into theresumeformat but are still valuable.
5. Ignoring the Company’s Culture
Each company has its own culture, and failing to reflect that in your cover letter can make you seem out of place. For example, a tech startup might appreciate a more casual, creative approach, whereas a law firm will expect a highly formal tone. Ignoring these cultural nuances is a big mistake.
Pro tip: Research the company’s website and social media platforms to get a sense of its culture. Then, tailor your tone and language to align with that culture while maintaining professionalism.
6. Lack of Enthusiasm
Hiring managers want to see that you're genuinely excited about the opportunity. If your cover letter reads like a bland, form response, it can reflect poorly on your motivation. Enthusiasm is contagious, and showing that you’re eager to work with them can set you apart from other candidates.
Pro tip: Express your excitement for the role in your opening paragraph and reinforce it throughout the letter by highlighting why this specific internship is an ideal fit for your interests and skills.
7. Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
This one seems obvious, yet it’s surprisingly common. Spelling and grammar errors in a cover letter can make you appear careless. In an era where spell-check tools are readily available, there’s no excuse for submitting a cover letter riddled with typos. A cover letter full of mistakes sends a signal that you may not take the position seriously.
Pro tip: Proofread your cover letter multiple times before submitting it. You can also use tools like Grammarly for an extra layer of error-checking, or better yet, ask a friend or family member to review it for you. Taking time to polish your cover letter shows that you’re detail-oriented and professional.
8. Overly Formal or Complex Language
While professionalism is key, being overly formal can make your cover letter difficult to read and feel inauthentic. Using complex words or jargon that don’t add value can also come across as trying too hard to impress.
Pro tip: Use simple, clear language to communicate your thoughts effectively. A natural tone makes your letter more relatable and shows that you’re confident in your communication skills.
9. Forgetting to Include a Call to Action
A common mistake at the end of a cover letter is failing to invite the employer to take action. The purpose of the cover letter is to set the stage for an interview or further discussion. Leaving out a call to action can make your application seem incomplete.
Pro tip: End your letter with a polite yet confident statement, such as “I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to [Company Name].” It shows initiative and enthusiasm without being pushy.
10. Neglecting to Proofread and Edit
Proofreading is the most critical step before submitting your cover letter, but it’s also the most neglected. After spending hours perfecting the content, small mistakes can slip through, which might cost you the opportunity.
Pro tip: After finishing your draft, step away from it for a day or two. This gives you a fresh perspective when you come back to proofread. Edit your cover letter for clarity, coherence, and conciseness. Double-check the company name, job title, and any other specifics to avoid embarrassing errors.
Wrapping Up
A well-crafted cover letter can set you apart from other candidates and help you secure the internship you’ve been eyeing. Avoid these common mistakes mentioned above, tailor your letter to the role, and always proofread before sending.
And as you begin your internship journey, a trusted platform like Zolve can help you manage your finances seamlessly, giving you one less thing to worry about while focusing on your career.
1. What are the 5 common cover letter mistakes?
Using generic greetings, not tailoring to the role, repeating your resume, focusing too much on yourself, and ignoring spelling/grammar errors.
2 .What should be avoided in a cover letter?
Avoid generic templates, overly formal language, repeating your résumé, and leaving out relevant skills that match the job description.
3. What should I exclude in a cover letter?
Exclude personal information like age, photos, irrelevant work experience, and salary expectations unless explicitly asked.
4. Do and don'ts for cover letter?
Do: Personalize the letter, keep it concise, and proofread
Don't: Use generic language, be overly formal, or include irrelevant details.
5. How do you introduce yourself in a cover letter?
Start by briefly stating who you are and your interest in the specific role. Then, explain how your background and skills align with the company’s needs.
Disclaimer: The products, services, and offerings mentioned in this blog are subject to change and may vary over time. We recommend visiting our official website for the most up-to-date information on Zolve's offerings.