As a professional resume writer, I’ve seen a lot of cover letters. I also get asked a lot of questions about them. Recently, someone asked me if it’s okay to make their cover letter two pages long. My answer was no! But then they asked how long should their cover letter be.
This question is much easier to answer. Before we get into that though let’s talk about what makes an excellent cover letter so good.
| Key Takeaways |
|---|
| – While a one-page cover letter is ideal, it’s acceptable to use two pages in some cases. |
| – The length of your cover letter should be determined by the amount of relevant information you need to include. |
| – You should prioritize quality over quantity in your cover letter, focusing on highlighting your relevant skills and experience. |
| – A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out from other candidates and increase your chances of getting hired. |
| – It’s important to tailor your cover letter to the job you’re applying for and to use language that aligns with the employer’s values and mission. |
Can A Cover Letter Be Longer Than One Page
While it’s hard to answer the question of whether or not you can write a longer cover letter, it’s important to remember that your goal is to make sure your letter is concise and to the point.
When you’re writing a cover letter for an academic teaching position or any job that requires plenty of writing and research, your essay must be focused on the topic at hand. You don’t want to send in something rambling and long because it might come across as unprofessional or disorganized.
When writing a cover letter for an academic position (Teaching Assistant), try not to exceed 2 pages in length by any means; this will allow you enough space for all necessary information but still keep things succinct. If possible, try sticking to one page as much as possible this will help ensure clarity in communication between you and potential employers.
A well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in landing your dream job. Take a look at our article on why cover letters are important to learn how a good cover letter can set you apart from the competition.
Is It Okay To Make A Cover Letter Tw Pages?
To make a cover letter 1 to 3 pages long, you’ll need to make sure all the relevant information is included. This means you should not only include details about yourself and your qualifications but also explain why you are a good fit for this position.
If you want your cover letter to be longer than one page, try breaking up sections or paragraphs into multiple sections and paragraphs so that it’s easier for the reader to follow. This can also help if there are parts of your cover letter that are particularly important for the job at hand (for example, if there are specific skills or experience required by the job listing).
What If Long Should My Cover Letter Be?
The length of your cover letter depends on the position you are applying for and the number of pages in your resume.
It is acceptable to write a longer cover letter if you have additional information that is relevant to the position. However, it’s important to keep in mind that hiring managers will likely not read past one page.
If you want to include something truly important, consider including it at the beginning of your document or on a separate sheet with instructions for where it should be placed.
What Can I Write In A Resume?
A resume is a brief overview of your skills, experience, and education. In addition to your contact information, you should also include:
- A list of relevant certifications, if applicable
- A list of major achievements (for example, winning a company award) or awards you’ve received (such as being named “Employee of the Month”)
Cover letters are still an important part of the job application process. Check out our article on the relevance of cover letters to learn why you should still include one with your job application.
How Do You Make A Resume Stand Out?
When you’re looking to make your resume stand out, try these tips:
Use a powerful opening sentence. Start with a strong first paragraph that uses keywords from the job description and numbers or statistics to show where your experience matches up with what the employer is looking for.
Include a list of references. Consider adding a page at the end of your resume that includes contact information for three professional references who can speak about your work performance.
This can be helpful when an employer is deciding whether or not to bring you in for an interview, especially if they have few ways to verify whether or not what you say on paper is true!
Use a professional format and font style (like Times New Roman), as well as email addresses instead of phone numbers whenever possible so that readers feel more confident about reaching out if necessary.
When Should You Not Send A Cover Letter?
While there are times when it’s appropriate to send a cover letter, there are also plenty of jobs where you won’t need one. If the job listing specifically says that they don’t accept cover letters (or if the company has told you this in an interview), then don’t waste your time writing one.
If you’re applying for a job online and uploading your resume and cover letter as attachments, make sure that your email signature makes it clear that you’ve attached these files. A good email signature might look like this:
- Name & Title
- Company Name (or First Initial) Last Name
- Email address
What Is The Best Font For A Resume?
A resume should be written in a clear and easy-to-read font. Most people are comfortable with the Times New Roman family of fonts. Font size should be between 10 and 12 points, depending on how much content there is to fit into the document (the smaller your font size is, the more pages you can fit into a standard 8 1/2 x 11-inch page).
The most important part of selecting a resume font is to choose one that’s easy to read when printed out on white paper or black and white laser paper.
When applying for jobs you may find yourself having your resume scanned into an applicant tracking system or database, which will convert it into an editable format like Microsoft Word documents so it can be stored electronically by employers.
You don’t want your formatting choices to make it hard for someone reading through hundreds of resumes at their desk day after day!
Can I Lie About Being Fired On My Resume?
While it is true that you can be fired for lying on your resume, the most important thing to remember is this: sometimes it’s better to just tell the truth.
The reason for this lies in the fact that even if you were terminated from a company, there are many other reasons why an employer might not want to hire someone who has been fired.
A lot of people assume that being fired means they’re not good at their job, but this isn’t always true. In some cases, employers see themselves as responsible for their employee’s failure: they may have given them a bad review or passed them over for promotion because they did not like them personally (or maybe they just didn’t get along).
It’s also possible that the termination was due to budget cuts in which case there’s nothing wrong with applying again once things have stabilized!
And finally
While it’s important to showcase your skills and qualifications in a cover letter, it’s also possible to go overboard. Read our article on can a cover letter be too long? to learn how to strike the right balance.
Should I Put My Gpa On My Resume?
Your GPA is a good choice for inclusion on your resume, but only if it is high enough. If it’s lower than 3.7, you should not include it.
It’s also important to note that if you are applying to a program with an average GPA of less than 3.7 and would like your GPA included in the application process (such as when applying to medical school), then by all means include your GPA when applying!
When it comes to cover letters, there’s often confusion around how long they should be. Our article on can a cover letter be two pages? offers some guidance to help you decide whether to stick to one page or expand to two.
An Excellent Cover Letter Should Be Succinct
An excellent cover letter should be succinct. It should not exceed one page in length and must be written with care, but it can also be short and to the point. To keep your cover letter to one page, you’ll need to cut down on unnecessary details that don’t add anything significant to your application.
The same applies if you’re applying through an online job portal; you may need to remove unimportant personal information from your resume for it to fit into such an online form as well.
You can use this guide for tips on how long a cover letter should be:
Your resume will dictate the amount of space available for your cover letter; there are no hard-and-fast rules regarding length here either (but remember that less is almost always more).
If possible, refrain from including any unnecessary information about yourself or past experiences that aren’t relevant to this particular job application (even if it’s tempting).
If necessary, remove all references made in previous positions (or even professional associations) which might imply something negative about yourself like being fired!
While it’s important to include relevant information in your cover letter, it’s also possible to be too concise. Check out our article on can a cover letter be too short? to learn how to find the right balance between brevity and substance.
Conclusion
I hope this post has been helpful and that you’re on your way to writing a cover letter that screams “I am the perfect candidate for this job!” Good luck and happy job hunting!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources on writing effective cover letters:
Cover Letter Dos and Don’ts: This article provides tips and advice for writing successful cover letters, including what to include and what to avoid.
Can a Cover Letter Be Two Pages?: If you’re wondering whether your cover letter can span multiple pages, this article provides some helpful insights and guidance.
How to Cut Your Cover Letter Down to One Page (Because Any Longer and No One’s Reading): If you’re struggling to condense your cover letter into one page, this article offers some practical tips for trimming it down without sacrificing impact.
FAQs
What should I include in a cover letter?
Your cover letter should include an introduction, a brief summary of your qualifications and experience, and a closing statement. You should also tailor your cover letter to the job you’re applying for and highlight how your skills and experience match the requirements of the position.
How long should a cover letter be?
Ideally, your cover letter should be no longer than one page. However, if you have extensive experience or are applying for a senior-level position, it may be appropriate to use two pages.
Can a cover letter be too short?
Yes, a cover letter can be too short. While you want to be concise and to the point, you also need to provide enough information to convince the employer that you’re the right person for the job.
How can I make my cover letter stand out?
To make your cover letter stand out, you should focus on highlighting your unique qualifications and experience, and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the position. You should also tailor your cover letter to the job you’re applying for and use language that aligns with the employer’s values and mission.
Do I need to write a cover letter for every job I apply for?
Ideally, you should write a unique cover letter for each job you apply for. This allows you to tailor your letter to the specific requirements of the position and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job. However, if you’re applying for similar positions within the same field, you may be able to use a template and make minor modifications for each application.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.
