CV TIPS - 7 Cover Letter Phrases That Spell Disaster For Your Job Application
Posted 22nd July 2025 • Written by Caroline Castrillon on Forbes.com • • • • • •
Here are seven phrases that hiring managers flag as instant dealbreakers, plus alternatives that will make your job application stand out.
1. “To Whom It May Concern”
This outdated greeting immediately signals that you haven’t taken the time to research the company or position.
Better alternatives
“Dear Hiring Manager”: Maintains professionalism when you can’t identify a specific person.
“Dear (Department) Team”: Shows you understand where the job fits into the organizational structure.
“Dear (Name) and Team”: Acknowledges the hiring manager while recognizing collaborative decision-making.
These examples are effective, demonstrating an effort to understand the company’s structure and hiring process.
2. “I’m Applying For The Position”
This opening states the obvious. It also represents a missed opportunity to immediately capture the reader’s attention with something compelling about your background or enthusiasm for the role.
Better alternatives
Lead with a specific achievement: “My five years of experience scaling marketing operations at high-growth startups aligns perfectly with Tech Corp’s expansion into new markets.”
Reference a mutual connection: “Sarah Johnson suggested I reach out regarding the marketing director position.”
Highlight company knowledge: “Your recent acquisition of Data Corp creates exciting opportunities for the strategic partnerships I’ve been building in my current role.”
Remember hiring managers often decide within the first few sentences whether to continue reading your cover letter. Generic openings fail to create the engagement necessary to sustain their attention through the remainder of your job application.
3. “I’m A Hard Worker” Or “Team Player”
These phrases represent the most common cover letter clichés, appearing in countless job applications across all industries and experience levels.
Better alternatives
Instead of “hard worker”: “Oversaw Q4 product launch three weeks ahead of schedule while managing a 40% budget reduction.”
Instead of “team player”: “Facilitated cross-departmental collaboration that reduced overall project delivery time by 25%.”
Show your initiative: “Identified and solved a recurring client issue that had been costing the company $50,000 annually.”
Concrete examples provide hiring managers with evidence they can evaluate, while generic claims offer nothing substantive to differentiate your job application.
4. “I Would Be Perfect for This Role”
This phrase demonstrates dangerous overconfidence or a lack of self-awareness. If you claim perfection, hiring managers will search for any gaps in your job application that contradict this assertion.
Better alternatives
“My experience in X positions me well to tackle the challenges outlined in your job description.”
“My background addresses the key requirements in your job description, particularly in the areas of Y and Z.”
“The combination of my technical skills and industry knowledge would allow me to contribute immediately while continuing to grow.”
These alternatives convey confidence without arrogance, showing you understand both your strengths and the requirements of the role.
5. “I’m Passionate About Everything”
Claiming passion for every aspect of a role or industry raises credibility concerns. When candidates express equal enthusiasm for all aspects of a job, hiring managers question whether they truly understand the realities or are simply trying to appear agreeable.
Better alternatives
Be specific in what excites you: “Your company’s innovative approach to sustainable packaging aligns with my environmental science background.”
Connect passion to experience: “My enthusiasm for data analysis stems from a project where insights I discovered increased revenue by 30%.”
Reference the company values: “Your commitment to employee development resonates with my experience mentoring junior staff.”
Specific enthusiasm demonstrates thorough research and genuine interest, providing valuable talking points for potential job interviews.
6. “This Position Would Help Me Grow”
This phrase focuses on what the company can do for you rather than what you can contribute to their success. When you emphasize how the role will help your career, you signal your primary interest lies in what you'll gain rather than what you'll give.
Better alternatives
“My background in X, combined with my eagerness to develop expertise in Y, would let me contribute while building skills to support long-term objectives.”
“I’m excited to apply my current expertise and skills while expanding into areas that will benefit your upcoming product launch.”
“This role would allow me to leverage my strengths in A and B while developing skills in C that your team needs.”
This reframing demonstrates ambition while maintaining focus on organizational value rather than viewing the role as purely transactional.
7. “I Think I Would Be a Great Fit”
The phrase “I think” immediately undermines your credibility by suggesting uncertainty about your qualifications. This tentative language signals self-doubt and invites hiring managers to question your suitability for the position.
Better alternatives
“My three years of experience managing cross-functional teams and track record of delivering projects on time address key requirements of the role.”
“The combination of my technical background and client-facing experience aligns well with the dual focus in your job description of this position.”
“My expertise in (specific area) and proven ability to (specific achievement) match what you’re seeking to fulfill the responsibilities of this job.”
This approach provides specific, verifiable information that hiring managers can evaluate objectively, transforming your job application from a collection of opinions into a compelling case for your candidacy. Thoughtful and tailored language leads to more job interviews and stronger first impressions with potential employers. By eliminating these seven phrases, you’ll transform your cover letter from a generic document into a strategic communication tool that gets you closer to your ideal role.
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