7 Cover Letter “Red Flags” That Make HR Scroll Past You

Q: Are typos really a 'red flag'?

Yes. In professional settings, typos suggest a lack of attention to detail that could translate to client-facing errors.

Q: Is a cover letter too long if it's 400 words?

Yes. Aim for 250-300 words. Speed and conciseness are valued in the recruitment process.

Q: Should I mention my salary expectations in the letter?

Only if explicitly asked. Mentioning salary too early can filter you out before you showcase your full value.

Q: Is it a mistake to use 'I' too much?

Yes. Balance 'I' with context. Focus on achievements within companies to show you are a team player.

You have the perfect resume, the right experience, and the right degree. Yet, your application is met with silence. The culprit? It’s likely one of several common cover letter mistakes. In the high-stakes recruitment world of Singapore and the SEA region, these cover letter red flags signal that you aren't ready for a global role.

The Top 7 Red Flags

Generic Content: Sending the same letter to 50 companies.
Typos in the Company Name: The fastest way to get rejected.
No Measurable Impact: "I am good at stuff" vs "I did [X] which resulted in [Y]."
Poor Grammar: Suggests a lack of professionalism. Try in Email Improver to fix this instantly.
Lengthy Prose: If it's over 300 words, they won't read it.
Focusing on "Me" instead of "Them": HR cares about what you can do for them, not your personal growth.
Outdated Formatting: Using old-fashioned "SG-style" honorifics that sound robotic to global recruiters.

SG/SEA Tone vs. Global Tone

SEA Mistake: "I am applying for this job because I want to learn and grow your business."
Global Fix: "I am eager to apply my expertise to help [Company] achieve [Specific Goal]."

Before vs After: Red Flag Fixes

Pair 1: Addressing the Company

Before: To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to apply for the job at your esteemed organization.
After: Dear [Hiring Manager], I’ve been following [Company]’s recent expansion in Vietnam and believe my regional market insights can drive your local growth.

Pair 2: Listing Skills

Before: I have good communication skills and I can work under pressure.
After: I successfully managed high-pressure regional product launches, ensuring 100% on-time delivery across 5 countries.

Copy-Paste Templates

Template 1: The "No-Mistake" Intro

Dear [Name], I am writing to express my interest in [Role]. Having followed [Company]'s work in [Industry], I am confident my background in [Skill] is a strong match.

Template 2: The Metric-Heavy Paragraph

In my previous role, I [Achievement]. This resulted in [Percentage/Number] growth/saving.

Template 3: The Culture Hook

I share [Company]’s value of [Value]. This is why I [Action at previous job].

Template 4: The Referral (Direct)

[Name] suggested I reach out given my success in [Field].

Template 5: The Short Tech Pitch

Hi [Name], I noticed you’re building [Feature]. I spent 3 years doing exactly that at [Former Firm].

Actionable Checklist

Company name is 100% correct.
No grammar errors (Check with Email Improver).
No "To Whom It May Concern."
At least 3 specific metrics included.
Linked your personal portfolio/LinkedIn.

FAQ Section

1. Are typos really a "red flag"? Yes. For roles in communications, sales, or management, a typo in a cover letter suggests you will make typos in client-facing work.

2. Is a cover letter too long if it's 400 words? Yes. Aim for 250-300 words. Recruiters look for "speed to value"—how quickly can you tell them you are worth hiring?

3. Should I mention my salary expectations in the letter? Only if the job description explicitly asks. Otherwise, save it for the interview to avoid being filtered out too early. Check our pricing for consulting on these sections.

4. Is it a mistake to use "I" too much? Yes. Try to start sentences with active verbs or phrases like "At [Company X], I..." to keep the focus on professional context.