7 Things You Should Never Include in Your Cover Letter

Your cover letter is often the first impression you make on a potential employer. It’s your chance to showcase your skills, enthusiasm, and fit for the role beyond what your resume provides. However, including certain elements can quickly undermine your candidacy, making you appear unprofessional, unprepared, or unsuitable. This comprehensive guide outlines

, drawing from common mistakes identified by career experts and recruiters. By avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll craft a compelling document that positions you as a top contender.

Whether you’re an entry-level applicant or a seasoned professional, these errors can derail even the strongest applications. We’ll explore each mistake in depth, explain why it’s problematic, provide real-world examples, and offer actionable alternatives to strengthen your letter. Mastering this will elevate your job search strategy and increase your interview invitations.

1. Personal Information Like Age, Marital Status, or Photos

One of the most critical errors is including

personal details

such as your age, marital status, religion, ethnicity, or even a photo. In many regions, including the U.S. and Canada, anti-discrimination laws protect candidates from bias based on these factors. Hiring managers are trained to disregard such information to ensure fair hiring practices.

Why avoid it? Revealing personal details can unconsciously trigger biases. For instance, mentioning your family status might lead recruiters to question your availability for travel or overtime, even if unfounded. A photo risks judgments based on appearance rather than qualifications. According to career advice from Indeed, such inclusions distract from your professional merits and could violate equal opportunity guidelines.

Example of what not to do:

• “I’m a 45-year-old married father of two looking for stable employment.”
• Attaching a headshot or listing “Christian, non-smoker.”

Instead, focus solely on professional attributes. Replace personal anecdotes with role-specific achievements. This keeps the emphasis on your value to the employer.

2. Negative Comments About Past Employers or Experiences

Never vent frustrations about previous jobs, bosses, or colleagues in your cover letter. Phrases like “I left my last role due to a toxic environment” signal red flags to recruiters, suggesting you might bring similar attitudes to their team.

Recruiters interpret negativity as a lack of professionalism and resilience. A CBS News analysis of cover letter blunders notes that badmouthing ex-employers makes you seem high-maintenance or unable to handle conflict. Even if true, frame exits positively: “Seeking new challenges to apply my expertise in a dynamic environment.”

Common pitfalls:

• “My manager was incompetent, so I underperformed.”
• “Laid off due to company mismanagement.”

Pro tip: Use the cover letter to highlight growth. Discuss lessons learned and skills gained, turning potential weaknesses into strengths.

3. Irrelevant Hobbies or Interests

Hobbies like “watching movies” or “hiking on weekends” belong on social profiles, not cover letters, unless directly relevant to the job. Recruiters scan for job-specific qualifications; unrelated pursuits dilute your message and waste valuable space.

Why it’s a mistake: Cover letters should be concise (half a page max). Irrelevant details overwhelm readers and imply you don’t understand the role’s priorities. Resume-Now highlights how such inclusions miss opportunities to showcase achievements, like “Excel proficiency leading to 20% efficiency gains”.

Table: Relevant vs. Irrelevant Details

Irrelevant (Avoid)	Relevant (Include)
Love hiking and movies	Team-building through outdoor leadership retreats
Avid gamer	Developed gaming app prototype, honing coding skills
Collect stamps	Curated marketing campaigns for niche collectibles

Link hobbies to skills only if they demonstrate transferable abilities, such as leadership from coaching a sports team.

4. Spelling, Grammar, or Typos

Forgetting to proofread is the easiest mistake to avoid but one of the most damaging. Typos scream carelessness, especially in a document meant to demonstrate attention to detail. Lifehack.org reports that simple errors imply disinterest, prompting instant rejection.

In one Resume-Now example, spelling mistakes throughout a letter led to dismissal despite strong content. Recruiters spend seconds scanning; errors halt them cold.

How to fix it:

• Proofread multiple times.
• Use tools like Grammarly, then read aloud.
• Have a friend review.
• Check for repetitive phrases or run-ons.

Perfect polish signals professionalism.

5. Generic or Vague Language

Avoid phrases like “I’m a hard worker” or “team player” without evidence—they’re clichéd and unconvincing. Wall Street Oasis warns that such terms fail to differentiate you, as everyone claims them.

Generic letters suggest copy-pasting, ignoring the job ad. Instead, reference specifics: “Your posting seeks SEO expertise; I boosted traffic 35% at XYZ Corp.” This shows research and fit.

Overused buzzwords to ban:

• Detail-oriented
• Responsible for
• References available upon request
• Hardworking

6. No Tailoring to the Job or Company

A one-size-fits-all letter is a dealbreaker. Failing to address the role, company needs, or hiring manager makes you seem uninterested. Indeed advises studying the job description to mirror keywords and duties.

Vague statements like “good fit for any role” lack impact. Personalize: “Excited by ABC Inc.’s innovation in fintech, where my blockchain experience aligns perfectly.”

Weak starts (slow intros) lose attention immediately. Grab them with a hook: quantified achievements or unique value propositions.

7. Too Much or Too Little Information

Balance is key: overly long letters overwhelm, while short ones underwhelm. Aim for 250-400 words, 3-4 paragraphs. Excess irrelevant info buries strengths; brevity suggests underqualification.

Entry-level tip: Avoid underselling—include achievements, not humility phrases like “not the most qualified”.

Ideal structure:

• Intro: Hook + role interest.
• Body: 2-3 tailored achievements.
• Close: Call to action.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What if my hobby is relevant?

Include it only if it ties directly to skills, e.g., blogging hobby for content roles. Prove relevance with examples.

How personal is too personal?

Stick to professional history. No age, family, or photos—focus on qualifications.

Can I mention salary expectations?

No, unless requested. It shifts focus prematurely.

What about addressing no name?

Use “Dear Hiring Manager”—avoid “To Whom It May Concern”.

Should I repeat my resume?

No—elaborate and connect to the job, don’t summarize.

Final Tips for Cover Letter Success

Beyond exclusions, use confident language, quantify impacts (e.g., “increased sales 25%”), and end with enthusiasm. Test readability: concise sentences, active voice. These strategies, backed by recruiter insights, transform letters from forgettable to unforgettable.

Revise ruthlessly, tailoring each submission. Your cover letter isn’t just an intro—it’s your advocate. Avoid these 7 pitfalls to shine in competitive job markets.