If you’ve ever been told cover letters are pointless, outdated, or a waste of time, here’s the truth: most people aren’t failing because they used a cover letter — they’re failing because they broke the core dos and don’ts of cover letters without realizing it.

A strong cover letter doesn’t repeat your resume.
It doesn’t beg.
And it definitely doesn’t sound like it was written for 47 other jobs.

When done correctly, a cover letter reduces hiring risk, answers unspoken questions, and makes it easier for a recruiter or hiring manager to say “yes” to interviewing you.

Below, I’m breaking down the real dos and don’ts of cover letters — the ones that actually impact interview decisions.

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Why the Dos and Don’ts of Cover Letters Matter

Hiring teams don’t read cover letters for fun.

They read them to:

• resolve doubts created by a résumé
• assess judgment and communication
• decide whether a candidate understands the role beyond keywords

When a cover letter ignores the core dos and don’ts of cover letters, it quietly increases risk — and risk is the fastest way to get filtered out.

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DO: Write the Cover Letter for the Employer, Not Yourself

One of the most important dos of cover letters is shifting your focus from what you want to what the employer needs.

A strong cover letter answers:

• What problem does this role solve?
• How has this candidate solved similar problems?
• Why this company — not just any company?

Instead of:

“I’m excited about this opportunity because I’m looking for growth…”

Try:

“This role’s focus on X aligns directly with my experience doing Y, where I delivered Z outcome.”

This signals relevance immediately.

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DON’T: Rehash Your Resume Word-for-Word

This is one of the most common don’ts of cover letters — and one of the fastest ways to lose credibility.

Hiring managers already have your résumé.
Copying it tells them:

• you don’t understand the purpose of the cover letter
• you didn’t tailor your application
• you’re hoping repetition will do the work for you

Instead, your cover letter should:

• explain why certain experience matters
• reposition non-obvious career moves
• connect dots the résumé doesn’t have space to explain

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DO: Personalize the Letter to a Real Human

Among the most overlooked dos of cover letters is addressing the letter to an actual person whenever possible.

Cover letters addressed to:

• “To Whom It May Concern”
• “Hiring Team”
• “Dear Sir or Madam”

signal distance, not professionalism.

When you address a real person — even if imperfectly — you:

• increase the likelihood the letter gets read
• demonstrate effort and intent
• humanize your application

If no name is available, “Dear Hiring Manager:” is acceptable — but it should be the fallback, not the default.

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DON’T: Overuse “I,” “Me,” and “My”

This is a subtle but critical don’t of cover letters.

Excessive use of personal pronouns shifts the letter from value-focused to self-focused. After drafting, scan your letter and ask:

Is this about me — or about what I can do for them?

You don’t need to eliminate “I” entirely.
You need to balance it with outcomes, results, and impact.

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DO: Use Accomplishments, Not Responsibilities

A major do of cover letters is anchoring your claims in outcomes.

Compare:

❌ “I was responsible for managing client relationships.”
✅ “I led client initiatives that increased retention by 18% over two quarters.”

Accomplishments reduce risk.
Responsibilities increase skepticism. If you need a quick refresh on standard business letter format, Purdue OWL has a reliable overview.

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DON’T: Use Clichés or Fluffy Language

Among the most damaging don’ts of cover letters are vague, overused phrases like:

• “hardworking”
• “team player”
• “detail-oriented”
• “fast learner”

These tell the reader nothing.

Instead, show those traits through actions and results. Specifics create trust. Generalities create doubt.

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DO: End with a Confident Call to Action

One of the most underutilized dos of cover letters is ending assertively.

Avoid passive closings like:

“I look forward to hearing from you.”

Instead, reinforce interest and intent:

“I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience aligns with your team’s goals and will follow up accordingly.”

This subtly shifts momentum back to you.

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Dos and Don’ts of Cover Letters: Quick Self-Check

Before submitting, ask yourself:

• Does this letter answer employer needs — or just describe me?
• Does it clarify anything my résumé might raise questions about?
• Would this make it easier or harder to interview me?

If you’re unsure, that uncertainty often shows up on the page.

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Ready to Write a Cover Letter That Actually Helps You Get Interviews?

If your cover letters aren’t leading to interviews — or you’re not sure whether they’re helping or hurting — it’s usually not an effort problem. It’s a strategy problem.

I help clients:

• identify where their cover letters quietly increase risk
• reposition experience without oversharing
• write letters that support — not duplicate — their résumé

If you want support tightening your job search materials so they work together, you can take the next step here:

Fill out the inquiry form on my website to book a discovery call.

No pressure.
No generic templates.
Just clear feedback and a smarter way forward.