Bad Cover Letter Examples

You know what’s funny? Cover letters are supposed to help you stand out, but so many of them do the opposite. They end up being generic, boring, or even downright embarrassing. I’ve seen some bad ones over the years, like, really bad. And honestly, it’s not because people don’t care, it’s usually because they don’t know what recruiters are looking for. So let’s talk about what NOT to do.

Starting with the worst of the worst

Okay, we’ve all seen it. The cover letter that starts with something like, "Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to express my interest in the position of [insert job title here]. " I mean, sure, you are expressing your interest, but could you be any more robotic? If I had a dollar for every letter that started this way, I’d probably retire by now. It’s just. . . bland. It doesn’t show personality, enthusiasm, or any attempt to connect with the person reading it. You’ve got one shot to grab their attention, and this ain’t it.

Another classic mistake? Making it all about you. "This role will help me grow my skills and advance my career. " That’s nice, but what does the employer get out of hiring you? Speaking only about what YOU want makes it sound like you’re not really invested in their company, just in yourself. Trust me, recruiters notice this kind of thing.

The tone that makes recruiters cringe

Here’s one I still can’t believe people use: over-the-top flattery. "Your company is the best in the industry, and it would be a dream to work for such a prestigious leader. " Okay, reel it in. A little genuine admiration is fine, but this sounds like you’re writing a fan letter, not a job application. It’s awkward, and it doesn’t tell them anything about why you’re actually a good fit for the job.

Then there’s the opposite, being too casual. "Hey, hope you’re doing well! Just wanted to throw my hat in the ring for this role. " Are you applying for a professional job or texting your friend? A conversational tone can work, but you still need to keep it professional enough to show that you’re serious about the role.

The Part Nobody Tells You About

One of the biggest issues with bad cover letters isn’t the content, it’s the formatting. A big block of text with no breaks? Forget it, nobody’s reading that. You need to make it easy on the eyes. Short paragraphs, maybe a bulleted list (sparingly), and proper spacing. If it looks like work to read, they won’t bother.

While we’re on formatting, let’s talk typos. I don’t care how perfect your skills are, if your cover letter has spelling errors or grammar mistakes, it’s game over. Double-check, triple-check, whatever it takes. Ask someone else to look at it if you have to. You can’t rely on spellcheck alone because some mistakes just won’t get flagged.

How to actually fix this stuff

Alright, enough doom and gloom. Here’s the deal: a good cover letter doesn’t need to be fancy. It just needs to be real. Show why you’re excited about the role and why they should be excited about you. Mention something specific about the company or job that caught your eye, and tie it back to your skills or experience.

And for the love of all things holy, stop copying templates you find online without making them your own. Recruiters have seen those templates a million times. Even worse, sometimes people forget to edit them properly and end up submitting letters with “[Insert Company Name Here]” still sitting there. If you must use a template, fine, but make sure it doesn’t look like you copy-pasted your way through the whole thing.

Writing a good cover letter takes some effort, but it’s worth it. A great one can make all the difference in getting noticed. So ditch the generic fluff, proofread like your life depends on it, and give them a reason to remember you. You’ve got this.