What NOT to Put on Your Cover Letter

Today's blog post is offered by a graduate intern for the Office of Career Services.

I recently read the article: “The Ten Worst Things to Put in Your Cover Letter” and immediately wanted to share this information with you. In a more abbreviated version, here are some great points to keep in mind.

The top five worst things to put in a cover letter:

1. Next to Nothing

While writing something that is too long is a common cover letter mistake, what can be even more damaging is a cover letter that is too short. A good cover letter should be somewhere between 200 to 250 words and should answer the question of why a recruiter should look at your resume.

2. Personal Stories

While employers are sometimes interested in personal stories, especially if they give some idea about work ethic, it is best to save these stories for the interview. If you are asked in an interview about your hobbies and adventures, be prepared with a strong answer; however, in the cover letter, it is more important to focus on directly relevant and/or work-related experiences.

3. Someone Else's Words

Recruiters examine many cover letters and it is important to tailor your letter to the unique position and company in which you are applying. Do not just copy a template word-for word! Although one should use these templates as a reference, “It's best to use something catchy and more specific.” 15 or 20 minutes of Internet research can go a long way!

4. Jokes

Breaking the ice with humor is not necessarily a bad idea, but jokes in cover letters are usually a turn-off for busy employers, who report that it can negate one’s credibility. It might be better to save them for the interview, if they are to be used at all.

5. Wrong Company Name/Wrong Cover Letter

The biggest mistake many recruiters see on a regular basis is to either misspell the name of the company or get the name wrong. Double check for this issue and make sure your cover letter is directly relevant to the position in which you are applying! You do not want to sound too general or ambiguous in your request to prove your genuine interest in a position.

For more about these mistakes, and others to be conscious of, please visit. 

Do you find these topics interesting? Have you ever thought about writing a blog? If so, join our team! Please send any interests, inquiries, or articles to Cassie Sklarz at sklarz@fordham.edu. We'd love to hear from you!