Plan: what is a cover letter How to write a cover letter

Your writing tone

A classic cover letter writing mistake is to write long sentences with overly formal wording. Unless the job calls for it, aim for clear and easy-to-understand writing to make your text as readable as possible.

To instantly improve your writing tone, try:

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  Using contractions, like “don’t” instead of “do not”
  
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  Avoiding clichéd words and phrases, like “dynamic,” “thinking outside the box,” and “synergy”
  
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  Choosing simpler forms of words, like “helpful” instead of “advantageous”
  

Here’s a comparison between a personable writing style and an overly formal one: