<h1>Many job seekers in Malaysia focus only on their resume and skip the cover letter—but that’s a big mistake.</h1><h2>A cover letter introduces you to the employer, explains why you're the right candidate, and gives a personal touch to your job application. In fact, a strong cover letter can boost your chances of getting an interview, even if your resume isn’t perfect.</h2>However, if your cover letter is full of mistakes, it could hurt your chances of landing the job. Let’s go through 7 common cover letter mistakes and how to fix them.<hr><h2>1. Using a Generic, Copy-Paste Cover Letter<img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/image_2025_02_25_121526612_785504989e.png"></h2>Many job seekers send the same cover letter for every job application. The problem? Employers can tell when you didn’t put in the effort.✅ How to Fix It: ✔ Customize each cover letter to match the job and company. ✔ Mention the company name, job title, and why you're interested in the role. ✔ Show that you've researched the company’s mission, culture, or projects.🔗 Related Read: <a href="https://my.hiredly.com/advice/job-application-checklist-malaysia?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=7_cover_letter_mistakes_that_could_cost_you_the_job" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Job Application Checklist: 7 Things to Do Before Hitting Submit</a><hr><h2>2. Making It Too Long (Or Too Short!)</h2>Hiring managers are busy—they don’t have time to read a <a href="https://novoresume.com/career-blog/how-long-should-a-cover-letter-be" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">long essay </a>about your career history. But if your cover letter is too short, it won’t make an impact.✅ How to Fix It: ✔ Keep your cover letter concise—250 to 400 words (or about half a page to one full page). ✔ Structure it into 3-4 paragraphs:<ul><li>Opening: Introduce yourself and the job you’re applying for.</li><li>Middle: Highlight your most relevant skills and achievements.</li><li>Closing: Show enthusiasm and include a call to action.</li></ul><hr><h2>3. Focusing Too Much on Yourself (Instead of the Employer)<img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/image_2025_02_25_121622440_e36ac24e4a.png"></h2>Many job seekers make the mistake of writing only about <a href="https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/new-research-proves-that-you-should-really-only-focus-on-your-own-work-and-not-what-others-are-doing.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">what they want</a>, instead of how they can help the employer.✅ How to Fix It: ✔ Shift the focus to what you can offer the company. ✔ Show how your skills align with the company’s needs and goals. ✔ Use specific examples of how you can contribute to their team.<hr><h2>4. Not Highlighting Your Achievements</h2>Your cover letter is not a copy of your resume—it should expand on your most relevant achievements.✅ How to Fix It: ✔ Use specific results and numbers to showcase your accomplishments. ✔ Instead of listing duties, highlight how you made an impact in past roles.🔗 Related Read: Learn more about the best ways to stand out in job applications in <a href="https://my.hiredly.com/advice/how-to-introduce-yourself-to-employers?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=7_cover_letter_mistakes_that_could_cost_you_the_job" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Ways to Impress Malaysian Employers.</a><hr><h2>5. Using the Wrong Tone or Format<img src="https://assets.hiredly.com/cms/image_2025_02_25_121700055_3f7bce2618.png"></h2>A cover letter should be <a href="https://www.blackswanltd.com/newsletter/4-ways-tone-can-negatively-impact-negotiations" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">formal but engaging</a>. Some job seekers sound too robotic, while others sound too casual.✅ How to Fix It: ✔ Write in a professional but friendly tone (not too stiff, not too informal). ✔ Use simple and clear language—avoid jargon or overly complicated words. ✔ Format it properly:<ul><li>Use professional fonts like Arial or Calibri (size 11-12).</li><li>Single spacing with proper paragraph breaks.</li><li>Save as PDF before submitting.</li></ul><hr><h2>6. Not Including a Call to Action</h2>If you don’t end your cover letter with a strong closing statement, you’re missing an opportunity to encourage the employer to take action.✅ How to Fix It: ✔ End with enthusiasm and a clear next step. ✔ Mention that you’d love to discuss your application in an interview. ✔ Thank the employer for their time.🔗 Related Read: Want to improve your job search success? Read <a href="https://my.hiredly.com/advice/why-your-job-search-is-failing-and-how-to-fix-it-fast?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=7_cover_letter_mistakes_that_could_cost_you_the_job" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Job Search Mistakes That Could Be Costing You Opportunities.</a><hr><h2>7. Forgetting to Proofread</h2>Grammar mistakes, typos, or spelling errors can make a bad first impression and cost you the job.✅ How to Fix It: ✔ Always double-check your writing before submitting. ✔ Use tools like Grammarly or ask a friend to proofread. ✔ Ensure you have the correct company name, job title, and hiring manager’s name.<hr><h3>A well-crafted cover letter can be the key to landing your dream job in Malaysia, but only if you avoid these common mistakes. Keep it concise, personalize it for each job, and focus on how you can add value to the employer. By highlighting your achievements, using the right tone, and ending with a strong call to action, you’ll increase your chances of getting noticed. Not sure which job suits you best? Take the Hiredly <a href="https://hiredly.typeform.com/to/K4idZTDK?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=7_cover_letter_mistakes_that_could_cost_you_the_job" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Work Personality Test</a> to discover your ideal career match! Start your job search today with the latest job vacancies on <a href="https://my.hiredly.com/jobs?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=7_cover_letter_mistakes_that_could_cost_you_the_job" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Hiredly </a>and join the <a href="https://hub.hiredly.com/young-leaders-community?utm_medium=article&amp;utm_source=career_advice&amp;utm_campaign=7_cover_letter_mistakes_that_could_cost_you_the_job" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Young Talent Community</a> to connect with like-minded job seekers and career mentors. Your next career move starts now!</h3>

A strong cover letter can make or break your job application. Avoid these 7 common mistakes and improve your chances of landing a job in Malaysia.

7 Cover Letter Mistakes That Could Cost You the Job