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
