The 5 Worst UX Cover Letter Mistakes You Can Make

When it comes to applying for a UX position, your cover letter is just as important as your resume. In fact, many employers will use your cover letter as a way to weed out candidates who are not a good fit for the job.

That's why it's so important to avoid making any of the worst UX cover letter mistakes. These five mistakes are sure to turn off any employer, and could even cost you the job.

1. Don't underestimate the power of first impressions.

Your cover letter is the first thing an employer will see, so you want to make sure it's strong and engaging. Avoid any mistakes that will make a bad first impression, such as typos or grammar errors.

2. Don't just regurgitate your resume.

Your cover letter is an opportunity to expand on your experience and skills. Don't just repeat what's already on your resume. Instead, use this opportunity to tell a story about your experience and skills that will capture the employer's attention.

3. Don't make it all about you.

Your cover letter should be about how you can benefit the employer, not just about what you're looking for. Talk about how your skills and experience can help the company achieve its goals.

4. Don't be boring.

Your cover letter is your chance to stand out from the rest of the applicants. So don't be afraid to show some personality. Just make sureyou keep it professional.

5. Don't forget to proofread.

After you've written your cover letter, take the time to proofread it carefully. This is your chance to make a good final impression, so you want to be sure there are no errors.

Not tailoring your cover letter to the specific job you’re applying for

One of the worst things you can do when applying for a job in UX is to not tailor your cover letter to the specific job you're applying for. A generic cover letter that you've used for other jobs is a surefire way to show that you're not really interested in the job you're applying for. Take the time to customize your cover letter for each job you apply for, and you'll make a much better impression.

Not emphasizing your relevant experience

If you have relevant experience in the field of UX, be sure to emphasize that in your cover letter. Don't just mention it in passing – make it clear that you have the skills and experience that the employer is looking for. If you don't have much relevant experience, focus on other aspects of your qualifications that make you a good fit for the job.

Not showing your personality

Your cover letter is also an opportunity to show a little bit of your personality. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine through – it can help you stand out from the crowd. Just be sure to strike the right balance – you don't want to come across as overly casual or unprofessional.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your cover letter makes the best possible impression on potential employers.

Not doing your research

Scattered white paper Photo by Brandi Redd

When you're applying for a job in UX design, it's important to do your research and understand the company you're applying to. This includes reading their website, understanding their mission and goals, and getting a general sense of their culture. If you don't take the time to do this research, it will be very difficult to write a cover letter that is tailored to the company, and your application is likely to be rejected.

When you're writing a cover letter for a UX design job, make sure you focus on your skills and experience in the field. In your letter, be sure to highlight how your work has helped improve the user experience for previous clients or employers. A well-written cover letter will show that you're not only qualified for the job, but that you're also passionate about UX design and excited to work for the company.

Failing to proofread

When applying for a job in user experience, one of the most important things to potential employers is the quality of your writing. This is why it's crucial to proofread your cover letter before sending it off. Even if you're an excellent writer, small errors can make you look unprofessional and jeopardize your chances of being offered the job.

Another mistake you can make when writing a UX cover letter is failing to tailor it to the specific job you're applying for. Your cover letter should be relevant to the position you're interested in and highlight your most relevant skills and experience. A generic letter that could be sent to any employer is not likely to impress.

When it comes to your cover letter, less is often more. Employers don't want to read a novel, so keep your letter concise and to the point. Highlight your most relevant qualifications and leave out any irrelevant information.

By following these tips, you can avoid common mistakes and write a cover letter that will help you get the job you want.

Not including a call to action

If you're looking to score a job in the UX field, then you need to make sure your cover letter is up to snuff. And that means including a strong call to action.

Simply put, a call to action is a request for your reader to do something, whether it's contacting you for more information or scheduling an interview. Including a CTA in your cover letter makes it more likely that your cover letter will be read and that you'll eventually land the job.

So if you're applying for a UX job, make sure your cover letter includes a strong call to action. It could be the difference between getting your foot in the door and getting passed over.

Making it too long

Photo by Ben Kolde

One of the most common mistakes people make when writing a cover letter is making it too long. The reality is that hiring managers are busy and they don’t have time to read a novel. They want to see a concise letter that gets to the point. So, make sure you are editing your letter and keeping it to a maximum of one page.

Another mistake people make is being too general in their cover letter. They might mention they are a great communicator or a team player, but they don’t give any specific examples. Hiring managers want to see that you have the skills and experience to do the job, so be sure to be specific about what you can offer.

Another mistake that will definitely turn off a hiring manager is typos and grammatical errors in your cover letter. This shows that you are not paying attention to detail and that you don’t have a strong command of the English language. Be sure to proofread your letter carefully before you send it off.

By avoiding these mistakes, you’ll be sure to write a cover letter that will grab the attention of hiring managers and help you get the job you want.

Not making it visually appealing

One of the worst things you can do when writing a cover letter for a UX position is to make it visually unappealing. A cover letter is your opportunity to make a good first impression, and if it looks sloppy or unprofessional, it will reflect poorly on you as a candidate.

Make sure your cover letter is well-designed and easy to read. Use clear headings and section breaks to make it easy to scan, and use a professional font. Avoid using clip art or other graphics that will make your letter look amateurish.

Most importantly, take the time to proofread your cover letter carefully. Typos and grammar mistakes will make you look careless and will only serve to detract from your qualifications.

By following these simple tips, you can ensure that your cover letter makes a great first impression and helps you stand out from the competition.

Not using keywords

When it comes to your UX cover letter, one of the worst things you can do is not use keywords. This is because employers are looking for specific keywords when they are reviewing cover letters. By not using keywords, you are essentially making it harder for employers to find you.

Some of the most important keywords to use in your UX cover letter include: user experience, design, research, usability, wireframes, prototypes, and user testing.

Make sure to use these keywords throughout your cover letter, including in the opening and closing paragraphs. In addition, try to use them in a way that sounds natural and not forced.

For example, you might want to open your cover letter with a sentence like: "As a user experience designer with over five years of experience, I have the skills and experience needed to excel in this role."

By using keywords throughout your cover letter, you'll increase your chances of being found by employers and getting your foot in the door for an interview.

Not conveying why you’re the best fit

Google Analytics overview report Photo by Myriam Jessier

When you're applying for a UX position, your cover letter is your chance to sell yourself and your skillset to the company. So, it's important to make sure that you're conveying why you're the best fit for the role. One of the worst mistakes you can make is failing to do just that.

Instead of simply listing your qualifications, take the time to explain how your skills and experience make you the ideal candidate for the job. Use specific examples to illustrate your points. Don’t be afraid to toot your own horn a little bit – this is your chance to shine!

By demonstrating why you’re the best fit for the role, you’ll increase your chances of getting your foot in the door and landing the job.

When it comes to applying for a UX position, your cover letter is key. This is your chance to really sell yourself and your skillset to the company, so you need to make sure that you're conveying why you're the best fit for the role. One of the worst things you can do is fail to do just that.

Instead of simply listing your qualifications, take the time to explain how your skills and experience make you the ideal candidate for the job. Use specific examples to illustrate your points. And don’t be afraid to brag a little bit – this is your chance to really show off what you can do!

By demonstrating

Not telling a story

The surefire way to turn off a potential employer is to try and cram everything about yourself into one cover letter. A better approach is to take a narrative approach and tell a story about a time you went above and beyond or had to surmount a difficult challenge. This will give the reader a much better sense of who you are as a person and what kind of worker you are.

Not using simple language

When applying for a position in UX design, it is important to make sure that your cover letter is free of any language errors. Using simple, clear language shows that you have a good command of the English language and ensures that your message comes across clearly.

In the world of UX design, first impressions matter. A well-written, error-free cover letter conveys professionalism and attention to detail – two qualities that are essential in any good UX designer. So before you hit send on your next application, take a moment to proofread your cover letter and make sure it’s free of any typos or grammatical errors.

It’s also important to use language that is easy to understand. UX design is all about making complex systems easy to use, so using simple language in your cover letter shows that you understand the importance of clarity and conciseness.

So before you submit your next UX job application, take a few minutes to proofread your cover letter and make sure it’s free of any language errors. By doing so, you’ll make a great first impression and show that you’re a detail-oriented, professional UX designer.

Not using active voice

Photo by Carter Yocham

A mixture of both active and passive voice is often used in scientific writing, with

passive voice being used more often. This is because scientific writing is usually based on research, and the focus is usually on the research itself rather than who conducted it.

Not using persuasive words

I would like to go to the movies.

I am wondering if you would like to go to the movies with me.

Not using a friendly tone

When you're applying for a job in UX, it's important to remember that your cover letter is your chance to make a good first impression. If you come across as arrogant or uninterested, you're not likely to get the job. Here are five of the worst UX cover letter mistakes you can make:

1. Not using a friendly tone.

Your cover letter is your chance to make a good first impression, so make sure you come across as friendly and interested in the position. A brusque or disinterested tone will only serve to turn off potential employers.

2. Not tailoring your letter to the specific job.

A generic cover letter is a surefire way to make your application blend in with the rest. Take the time to tailor your letter to the specific job you're applying for, and you'll be sure to stand out. Hiring managers can tell when you've taken the time to customize your letter, and it makes a difference.

3. Overlooking the company's culture.

Be sure to do your research on the company you're applying to. If you can't find anything about their culture online, take the time to reach out to someone who works there and ask about it. It's important to make sure you're a good fit for the company, and understanding their culture is a big part of that.

4. Being too humble.

It's important to sell yourself in your coverletter, and that means highlighting your accomplishments. Don't be afraid to toot your own horn a bit - after all, you want the hiring manager to see why you're the best candidate for the job.

5. Being too pushy.

While it's important to sell yourself, you don't want to come across as pushy or entitled. Be confident in your abilities, but humble enough to know that you still have room to grow.

Not making it easy to read

Programmer at work Photo by Crew

One of the worst things you can do in your UX cover letter is make it difficult to read. This can happen in a number of ways, including using a small font size, not breaking up the text into paragraphs, or using a busy background. Not only will this make your letter difficult to read, it will also make you look unprofessional.

Another big mistake you can make in your UX cover letter is not tailoring it to the specific position or company you’re applying to. Generic letters are immediately obvious to employers, and they’ll likely just toss your letter in the trash. Take the time to do some research on the company and the position, and then craft a letter that shows you’re a good fit for both.

When writing your UX cover letter, it’s important to focus on your skills and not your experiences. Employers want to know what you can do, not what you’ve done in the past. So, focus on highlighting the skills and qualifications that make you the perfect candidate for the job. If you do that, you’re sure to stand out from the competition.

Moving forward withThe 5 Worst UX Cover Letter Mistakes You Can Make

1. Applying for a job that doesn't exist: Don't apply for a job that you saw on a job board or in an email without doing your research first. Make sure the position is actually available and that you're qualified for it.

2. Not including a cover letter: In many cases, your cover letter is just as important as your resume when applying for a UX position. Don't neglect this important step!

3. Making it all about you: A cover letter is not the time to brag about yourself or list every single one of your accomplishments. The focus should be on how you can benefit the company, not the other way around.

4. Failing to edit: Always proofread and edit your cover letter before sending it off to the potential employer. Typos and grammatical errors are an instant red flag for hiring managers.

5. Sending generic letters: Take the time to personalize each cover letter to fit the specific company and position you're applying for. Generic letters are another major turn-off for employers receiving hundreds of applications.