You've just graduated architecture school and it's time to start pursuing your first job. Like most, you've probably spent a lot of time on your portfolio, and perhaps even your resume, but what about the cover letter? Are you confident you're composing this crucial component of your application package in a way that captures the attention of your prospective employer? And more importantly, you'll want to be sure you aren't doing the opposite, that you aren't destroying your chances of moving forward in the hiring process by making avoidable errors. 

Of the countless young professionals I've been able to help in their job search, many make these four rookie mistakes when it comes to writing their cover letters. Let's go through them so that you can be sure you stay clear of them as you embark on the next chapter in your career. And be sure to check out Archinect's Tips on writing an effective cover letter for critical insights on composing a professional level submission.

Rookie Mistake #1 — Too much brown-nosing and flattery

The firms you are applying to already think that they are great. They don't need you to tell them. I often come across statements like, "I think [insert firm] is the greatest firm in the world, it would be a dream come true to work here!" And the funny thing is that this is usually said about most of the firms the candidate is applying for, not just the one of them. I understand the logic from someone just entering the workforce. In school you want people to tell you how great your work is, but the professional world is different, and the fact that you are a candidate for an entry-level position creates a different dynamic, one that you don't have with your colleagues in studio.

Instead of flattering, try to focus on a specific aspect of the firm's ethos or mission that you relate to. You could say something like, "The firm's focus on community projects really resonated with me." This will show the firm that you understand their work and that you are being intentional about the next steps in your career.

Rookie Mistake #2 — Sending generic submissions

The worst thing that you can do is send out a hundred emails with the same cover letter. When someone sends me their application package I can tell after the first couple of sentences if it is a template letter or not. Hiring managers can tell too, and they won't appreciate it. When I'm working with someone, I ask them what firms they are applying to. Let's say they're applying to five. Then I want to see five different cover letters. 

Sending a generic cover letter to multiple firms says a couple of things to an employer about your work ethic: That you are lazy, unthoughtful, and naive. It might sound harsh, and most graduates aren't any of these things, but that's the message the generic letter sends. 

Rookie Mistake #3 — Too much informal language

Believe it or not, I've seen cover letters that have things like "lol" or "haha" in them. Apart from that, many new graduates seem to think that they need to get an employer to like them by using terms like "Hey!" in the beginning of a submission, suggesting this complete stranger is a long-time friend. From my observation, it seems to be a generational thing. Maybe it's a social media thing, I'm not sure. But, your focus should be redirected. You're not trying to make a new friend. Instead, you are aiming to communicate that you can fulfill the current needs of the employer. A firm is looking for someone with professional character, who has integrity, is dependable, and who has the skills required to do the job.

You can show your personality in other ways, but informality ultimately sends a message of immaturity. Here's an alternative: follow our pro-tips to write a good cover letter and once your foot is in the door, the interview will give you an opportunity to share more of your personality.

Rookie Mistake #4 — Using the assumptive close

The assumptive close is a sales tactic used to close a deal. It's when a salesperson assumes the buyer has already agreed to buy the thing being sold. You've probably been at the receiving end of this at a car dealer before. After the salesperson has made their pitch, they'll say something like, "so how would you like to pay for that? Cash or card?" It's annoying isn't it? It's also annoying for firms when they see it at the end of your cover letter. This is how it usually looks in a cover letter from a new graduate:

"I am looking forward to our future working together!" or sometimes "I know I will be a perfect fit for your team! I am excited to get started!"

I've had many young professionals tell me that people have told them that this makes them sound "confident" and "sure of themselves," but it's really bad advice. It makes you sound arrogant and out of touch. A top level candidate is someone who is inquiring about a position, not begging for one. So instead of using the assumptive close, you could say something like: "If my skills and aptitude seem to line up with what the firm is looking for at this time I would love to connect for an interview so that we can learn more about each other." See the difference?

Here, you aren't desperate, but rather, you're looking for the right fit for both yourself and the firm. It's a more professional angle. It's also safe to say that you hope to hear from them soon. It's more appropriate than the previous assumptive language.

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If you stay clear of these four rookie mistakes and follow our insights from Tips on writing an effective cover letter, you'll be on your way to having an impactful and memorable cover letter during your job search. Follow the Archinect Tips tag to stay up to date with our latest employment guides. And don't forget to regularly check the Archinect Job board for new job opportunities as you continue on your journey.