Your cover letter is your first impression. It’s the moment when you get to introduce yourself, show your personality, and convince a hiring manager that you’re worth more than a five-second scan.
Danish employers don’t just want to know what you’ve done—they want to understand who you are, what drives you, and whether you’ll thrive in their flat, trust-based environment. A bland, template-driven cover letter won’t get you there.
The good news? Avoiding the most common pitfalls is easier than you think. Here are five frequent cover letter mistakes that could be holding you back—and exactly how to fix them to create an application that actually gets noticed.
- Mistake 1: Using Overly Formal Greetings
- Mistake 2: Opening with “I’m writing to express my interest.”
- Mistake 3: Saying “I’m excited to apply for this opportunity.”
- Mistake 4: Not Showing Your Value
- Mistake 5: Relying Too Much on ChatGPT
Mistake 1: Using Overly Formal Greetings: “Dear Sir,” “Dear Madam,” “Dear X,”
This level of formality feels outdated and impersonal in Denmark. Danish workplaces are generally informal and have a flat hierarchy.
What to do instead: Be direct. Use a clear subject line or opening title that states exactly what this is about.
For Example: “Application for Marketing Manager Position at [Company Name]”
The Danish way is straightforward. Show them you understand that from the very first line. If you want to understand more about how hierarchies, communication, and decision-making work in Danish companies, check out our article Navigating Flat Structures in Danish Companies: A Guide for International Employees.
Mistake 2: Opening with “I’m writing to express my interest.”
Okay. And? So are the other two hundred applicants. This sentence is empty. It adds nothing. It doesn’t evoke any feelings in the recruiter. It doesn’t grab attention. It doesn’t show personality. It’s the cover letter equivalent of saying “hello” in a crowded room and expecting everyone to stop and listen. This is a classic example of the cover letter mistakes that make recruiters lose interest immediately.
What to do instead: Be explicit. State your purpose or your motivation in a way that makes them want to keep reading.
For Example: “When I saw the Marketing Manager position at [Company Name], I knew immediately that this is where I want to bring my eight years of experience in sustainable branding.”
This works because it’s personal, specific, and forward-looking. It hints at your experience without listing it, and it shows genuine enthusiasm rather than generic politeness.
Mistake 3: Saying “I’m excited to apply for this opportunity.”
Being excited is great. But telling someone you’re excited without showing why is like saying “I love you” on a first date—it feels premature and a little hollow. This is another of those subtle cover letter mistakes that weaken your application.
What to do instead: Show what’s behind your excitement. What drives you? What about this specific role or company makes you genuinely enthusiastic?
For Example: “What drives me is creating campaigns that actually change behavior. When I saw that [Company Name] is launching a new sustainability initiative, I knew I had to apply. I’ve spent the last five years doing exactly this, and I’m looking forward to bringing that experience to your team.”
Or this: “I’m not just looking for any job. I’m looking for a place where I can use my skills in project management to support meaningful change. Your work in renewable energy genuinely inspires me, and I know I can contribute.”
This approach shows self-awareness, genuine motivation, and a clear understanding of what you want and what you offer. That’s far more compelling than generic excitement.
Mistake 4: Not Showing Your Value
Many candidates fall into the trap of describing what they were supposed to do, rather than what they actually accomplished. Their cover letters read like a dull job description:
“I was responsible for managing social media accounts. I worked with cross-functional teams. I handled customer inquiries.”
This approach tells the recruiter what your role entailed, but it completely fails to answer the questions that actually matter: Were you good at it? Did you make a difference? If you’re making these cover letter mistakes, you’re selling yourself short.
What to do instead: Show results. Use numbers. Demonstrate impact. Transform your responsibilities into stories of contribution.
For Example: “In my previous role, I grew Instagram engagement by 40% in six months by developing a content strategy that resonated with our target audience. I didn’t just manage social media—I transformed it into a growth channel.”
Notice the difference? The first version describes tasks. The second version demonstrates value. It gives the recruiter something to remember, something to discuss in an interview, something that sets you apart from every other candidate.
Danish employers, in particular, value tangible contributions. Their workplace culture is results-oriented and pragmatic. They want to know exactly what you can do for them—not in vague terms, but with clarity and evidence. For a deeper understanding of these cultural nuances, explore our article on Danish Work Culture.
Mistake 5: Relying Too Much on ChatGPT
ChatGPT is amazing for brainstorming, structuring ideas, and overcoming writer’s block. But if your cover letter sounds like it was written by a robot, recruiters will notice. And in Denmark, where authenticity is highly valued, that’s a dealbreaker. In fact, over-relying on AI is becoming one of the most common cover letter mistakes in today’s job market.
What to do instead: Use AI as a starting point, not a finish line. Let it help you organize your thoughts, but then infuse the text with your own voice, experiences, and personality.
For Example:
- Ask ChatGPT for structure ideas or to help you phrase something better
- But then rewrite everything in your own words
- Read it aloud. Does it sound like you? If not, keep editing
- Add specific details about the company and role that AI couldn’t know
- Include personal stories or motivations that only you can share
Remember: Your cover letter is the only place where your voice can come through before an interview. Don’t hand that over to a machine.
Conclusion
Your cover letter is not a formality. It’s your chance to introduce yourself before the interview. It’s where you show who you are, what drives you, and why you’re the right person for this specific role at this specific company. By steering clear of the most common cover letter mistakes, you’re already ahead of most applicants.
For more detailed insights and tips on how you can elevate your CV or make your application stand out, check our book on How to Write a CV in Denmark.
Avoid these five mistakes, and you’ll already be ahead of most applicants. Add genuine enthusiasm, clear value, and authentic personality, and you’ll have a cover letter that actually gets read—and remembered.
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