Phrases to Avoid Using in Your Cover Letter

by sean@seancook.net | Nov 13, 2025 | cover letters, job search

Stand Out With Straightforward Language and Proof of Your Skills

When crafting a cover letter, many job seekers fall into the trap of relying on tired clichés and vague statements. While these might seem like safe bets, they can actually diminish your chances of standing out in a crowded applicant pool. Below, we’ll explore common phrases to avoid and suggest more impactful approaches, drawing on practical advice and examples.

Why Avoid Common Cover Letter Clichés?

Employers sift through countless cover letters, many of which sound nearly identical. Phrases like “I think outside the box,” “I go the extra mile,” or “I’m an independent self-starter” are so overused that they risk wasting precious space and making you blend in with all the other candidates.

It astounds me how many job seekers begin their Professional Summary by stating something like “Highly skilled and motivated self-starter with a demonstrated history of working in [x field].” In addition to sounding incredibly generic, it makes three unverified claims: the person is “highly skilled,” “motivated,” and “a self-starter.” As the reader, I don’t want claims; I want proof. “Any of these cover letter clichés, and others like them, risk wasting space and making you sound like all the other candidates out there,” notes Amy Bergen, a career columnist at Idealist. Instead of making claims, lean on statements that stand on their own, that you can back up repeatedly with relevant evidence throughout your resume.

Present Your Evidence

Back up your arguments with hard data. Some examples of evidence that stand on their own include:

• Years of experience
• Industries you’ve worked in
• Companies you’ve worked for
• Types of projects you’ve worked on
• Measurable impact you’ve had on things like:
  • Revenue and sales
  • Process Impro
  • Manual work reduction
  • Company growth
  • Customer satisfaction
  • Uptime/downtime
  • Employee satisfaction
  • Conversion rate
  • Cost reduction

Phrases to Skip—and What to Write Instead

“I’m highly organized.”

Don’t just tell employers you’re organized—show them. Instead of using this phrase, briefly describe a system you implemented or a process you streamlined, quantifying your impact when possible. According to Andrei Kurtuy, Co-Founder and Career Expert at Novo Resume, “Strong, case-specific language will make your resume stand out and clearly communicate your value to potential employers.”

“I have excellent communication skills.”

This phrase is so general that it doesn’t tell the reader anything memorable. Rather than stating this, provide a concrete example: did you lead team meetings, deliver presentations, or launch a new product? Share those details. Additionally, use the Editor in Microsoft Word or a tool like Grammarly to identify misspelled words and grammatical errors. It’s no use claiming you have “excellent communication skills” if your copy says otherwise. After correcting any errors, read through the document and consider asking a friend to read through it. Sometimes you may spell a word correctly but realize you used a similar but altogether wrong word that the checker missed because it was a correctly spelled word, just the wrong one. Reading through the document a few times or getting a second set of eyes on it reduces the possibility that errors create confusion for the reader or create an impression that your communication skills need improvement.

“I thrive in a fast-paced environment.”

While adaptability is essential, this phrase is generic. Instead, cite a specific project or achievement that required you to adapt quickly, emphasizing measurable outcomes.

For example:

• “Streamlined project workflows by prioritizing deliverables based on urgency and business impact, reducing project completion times by 20%.”

“I’m a quick learner.”

Employers want evidence, not empty claims. Illustrate your ability to learn fast by mentioning how you mastered a new software or process in record time and the results it produced.

For example:

• “Mastered the company’s proprietary data tracking system within one week, leading to department-wide adoption of a new training method, leading to a 20% increase in team productivity.”

Use Numbers and Metrics

Quantify your achievements whenever possible. Saying “Supervised the marketing team” describes a job duty. “Supervised a four-person marketing team, comprised of a copywriter, editor, photographer, and designer,” illustrates the scope of your supervisory responsibilities. With a few extra details, you’ve provided a more concrete example of your leadership acumen. Those extra details may help you stand out from your competition.

Make Yourself Memorable

The ultimate goal is to ensure the reader remembers you. When a hiring manager has hundreds of resumes to review, things start to blend together. Tell your story by including examples of your unique achievements. When you say something different, your materials stand out.