Cover Letter Clichés to Avoid

The best way to up your job application game is to recognize and root out cover letter clichés, including words and phrases you’ve probably heard a million times. Instead, use your limited cover letter space to tell a story that tells a story no other applicant can tell.

Retire clichéd buzzwords

Employers are more interested in specific accomplishments than general traits

• If you do have accomplishments, credentials, or experiences that set you apart from the average candidate, tell these stories and let them speak for themselves
• Unique words like “uniquely qualified” and “expert” are common
• Be detail oriented, but describe a task that required you to interpret data

Cover letter clichés

Think outside the box

• Go the extra mile
• Highly organized
• Excellent communication skills
• Thrives in a fast-paced environment
• Quick learner
• Familiarity could mean weeks or months of classroom and working experience
• Be upfront about how much expertise you have

Go from general to specific

Employers are sifting through piles of repetitive cover letters; you want to be the one who says something different

• Numbers and metrics are an easy way to get specific, whenever you can provide them
• Your goal is for the reader to remember you

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