A cover letter is a document that you send along with your resume when applying for a job. A good cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants, but this doesn’t mean it has to be long-winded or filled with fluff. The ideal length for a cover letter is just one page and sometimes shorter than that!
The purpose of your cover letter is simply to introduce yourself and explain why you’re qualified for the position. So don’t waste space reiterating what’s already in your resume make each word count by showing hiring managers why they should hire you instead of someone else.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A cover letter is still an important part of the job application process |
| A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out among other applicants |
| A good cover letter should be customized for each job application |
| Keep your cover letter concise and easy to read |
| Use your cover letter to highlight your qualifications and enthusiasm for the job |
Should A Cover Letter Be Short?
The length of your cover letter should depend on how long you need to sell yourself. It’s important not to go overboard here, as it can make for a disorganized and overwhelming document.
On the other hand, if you don’t give enough information about yourself, hiring managers may wonder why they should consider you for the position at all.
There are no hard and fast rules about how long a cover letter should be to catch an employer’s attention and interest them in reading further.
The best length is likely one that works in conjunction with the amount of time it takes you to write it not too short or too long, but just right.
Cover letters may be seen as an optional addition to job applications, but they can actually make or break your chances of landing an interview. As our article on the importance of cover letters explains, a well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out among a sea of applicants.
How Short Should Your Cover Letter Be?
How short should your cover letter be? This is a question many job seekers ask themselves when they’re applying for new positions. Some people think the shorter their cover letters are, the better. But is this true?
First of all, we need to understand what makes up a “short” cover letter. When you read through them, it’s easy to see why so many people try to cut down on how much they write: they don’t want to waste time or space and who could blame them?
After all, there are plenty of other things you can be doing instead of writing cover letters (like looking at cute animal pics). But while a short cover letter may sound like an appealing idea, in theory, some downsides might surprise you!
Should I Send A Short Cover Letter Or A Lengthy One?
Yes, a short cover letter is better. A long cover letter is distracting, so you’re more likely to get read if it is short and to the point.
For example, let’s say you wrote this for your resume:
I graduated from high school in 2026 and went on to college at Princeton University, where I received a bachelor of arts degree in politics and economics. In 2021 I began my career as an assistant manager at Mcdonald’s.
After two years with them, I moved on to become a head manager at Burger King until 2024 when I accepted the position of chief executive officer at KFC…
Are cover letters necessary in today’s job market? The answer is a resounding yes. Our article on the necessity of cover letters outlines the reasons why cover letters are still an important part of the job application process.
Should You Use Paragraphs In Your Cover Letter?
You should use paragraphs in your cover letter. It’s a simple way to break up the information you’re writing about and make it easier for the reader to follow.
You may think that using bullet points would be more efficient, but the truth is that people tend to skim over bullet points without reading them thoroughly especially when there are lots of them on the page. Paragraphs give people time to digest each point before moving on to another one, which makes them much more powerful than bullets alone!
What Is The Best Format For My Cover Letter?
The best format for your cover letter will depend on the type of job you are applying for. If you are applying for a job that requires a lot of writing, or one that requires a very specific format and style, it would be best to use an existing template.
We recommend using templates with clear instructions when it comes to formatting so that you can easily edit them and make sure they fit in with the rest of your application materials.
Some companies have their templates which they provide online or through email upon request.
These templates often have helpful information about what type of content should go into each section (e.g., “Include these details about yourself”) so they don’t require as much preparation time on your end before sending out applications; however not all companies provide this kind of support!
When looking at different templates available online and there are lots! you might want to consider whether or not they allow for easy printing/sharing options like attaching files directly into emails rather than having them attached separately through Dropbox or Google Drive etcetera
Do I Need To List Anything Else In My Cover Letter Besides My Experience And Education?
You can include a list of publications, awards, projects, and hobbies. You can also include a reference section if you have worked with someone willing to write you a recommendation letter on your behalf.
You should not include any personal information that does not relate directly to the job description or position for which you are applying. This includes information about family members as well as religious affiliations or political beliefs (unless they are directly related).
What Do Hiring Managers Look For In Cover Letters?
Hiring managers are busy people. They don’t want to spend more time reading a cover letter than they need to. Your goal should be to get your point across with as few words as possible, while still being professional and showing that you can write well.
Use the right tone
It’s important to speak directly to the hiring manager with a clear and concise voice in your letter.
You want the reader of the letter whether it’s an HR person or someone from another department to understand who you are and why you would be a good fit for their company without having any idea who wrote it
What their qualifications might be beyond what was offered on LinkedIn or some other platform where people post resumes all day long just hoping something will stick!
In the age of digital applications and automated hiring processes, it’s easy to wonder if cover letters are still relevant. However, as our article on the relevance of cover letters explains, a well-written cover letter can help you stand out in a crowded field of applicants and showcase your qualifications and enthusiasm for the job.
What Should I Tailor About My Cover Letter?
Use the hiring manager’s name. Treating a hiring manager as an individual and not just another name on the list of jobs you are applying for will make them feel like they’re important to you.
Use the job title of the position you are applying for in your subject line (Hiring Manager). This is not only polite but also makes it easy for them to quickly identify what position they are being asked about.
Name drop! If someone who works at that company has referred or recommended you, by all means, include their name in your cover letter
So that it’s clear why he/she thinks highly enough of your work ethic and skillset for them to pass along their recommendation about the hiring process because I mean everyone loves knowing that other people think highly enough of something especially if we don’t know those people.
Do much with them regularly but still hear from time to time due to some random connection.”
How Can I Make It More Likely For My Cover Letter To Get Noticed By The Hiring Manager?
There are a few things you can do to increase the likelihood of your cover letter getting noticed by the hiring manager.
Use a template. Templates are great because they give you an idea of how to structure your cover letter, and they also help ensure that you include all of the key information (like your contact information and references) before sending it off.
Be concise: The first thing to do is read through the job listing again so that you know exactly what kind of candidate they’re looking for which will help determine how much detail to include in your application materials (if any). Then start from scratch on completing each section of the template, being sure not to exceed its word count limit (usually 250-300 words).
Be professional: One big mistake people make when writing their cover letters is using too casual language that doesn’t match up with their resume or LinkedIn profile but this can be easily avoided by sticking with more formal language throughout both documents.
Be clear: Make sure there aren’t any typos or grammatical errors in anything before sending them off because if there are mistakes, then no matter how well written they may otherwise be they won’t be taken seriously by anyone reading them!
Be specific: This means explaining why exactly it’s important for someone like yourself who has similar skillsets as those listed above would benefit this particular company; don’t just assume everyone knows why these things matter without having been told explicitly beforehand.”
When it comes to cover letter length, many job seekers may wonder if it’s possible to be too concise. As our article on whether a cover letter can be too short explains, while a short cover letter can be effective, it’s important to strike a balance between brevity and providing enough detail to highlight your qualifications.
Should I Use A Template When Writing My Cover Letter?
You can use a template to create your cover letter, but be warned: it’s not always the best option.
It is possible that using a template will make your letter seem less personalized. It can also lead to mistakes in spelling or grammar if you don’t proofread the document carefully before submitting it for consideration.
One alternative is to use Google Docs (or another word processing program) and then copy and paste sections of text into different parts of the document so that they fit with your personal information, rather than typing out everything from scratch every time you apply for a job.
One common question job seekers may have is whether their cover letter should be longer than one page. As our article on the ideal length of a cover letter explains, while there are no hard and fast rules, it’s generally best to keep your cover letter to one page or less, while still providing enough detail to showcase your qualifications and enthusiasm for the job.
Conclusion
The best way to know if your cover letter is short enough is by checking with a hiring manager. If they can read it in less than five minutes, then you’re good to go! You should also make sure that all the relevant information about yourself and why you want the position is included within those five minutes so that they don’t lose interest before getting through all of them.
Further Reading
Short Cover Letter Examples: This Indeed article provides examples and tips for crafting a short and effective cover letter that still highlights your qualifications and enthusiasm for the job.
How to Write a Cover Letter: 31 Tips You Need to Know: The Muse offers a comprehensive guide to crafting a cover letter that showcases your skills and experience and helps you stand out to potential employers.
Cover Letter Definition: This Investopedia article defines what a cover letter is and explains its purpose and importance in the job application process.
FAQs
What should a cover letter include?
A cover letter should include your contact information, the recipient’s contact information, an introduction that explains why you are applying for the job, a brief summary of your qualifications and experience, and a conclusion that thanks the reader and expresses your interest in the position.
How long should a cover letter be?
While there are no hard and fast rules, most cover letters should be one page or less. It’s important to strike a balance between providing enough detail to highlight your qualifications and keeping the letter concise and easy to read.
Should I customize my cover letter for each job application?
Yes, it’s important to customize your cover letter for each job application. This allows you to highlight how your skills and experience align with the specific job requirements and demonstrates your enthusiasm for the position.
What are some common mistakes to avoid in a cover letter?
Common mistakes to avoid in a cover letter include using a generic template, making spelling or grammar errors, being too formal or informal, and simply restating your resume instead of highlighting your qualifications and experience.
Do I need a cover letter if the job posting doesn’t mention one?
Even if a job posting doesn’t mention a cover letter, it’s still a good idea to include one. A well-crafted cover letter can help you stand out among other applicants and showcase your enthusiasm and qualifications for the job.
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.