Can Cover Letter Be Two Pages? (Career Advice)

A cover letter is an essential part of your job application, but it can be tricky to get right. It’s a short document that gives the hiring manager an insight into who you are and why you’d be a good fit for the role. 

You should tailor your cover letter to each position, but there are some basic guidelines you’ll want to follow. 

Here’s everything you need to know about writing a great cover letter including how long it should be:

Write the perfect cover letter for your job application
Takeaways
A well-written cover letter is important and necessary for most job applications.
Keep your cover letter concise and to the point, without being too short or too long.
Use bullet points and subheadings effectively to make your cover letter more readable.
Customize your cover letter for each job application to show your interest and qualifications.
Resources such as blog posts and articles can provide additional guidance and insights on how to write a strong cover letter.

1. How Many Pages Should A Cover Letter Be?

It’s important to remember that a cover letter should be as long as it needs to be. If you need two pages, use two pages! If you only need one page, then don’t feel compelled to add filler just because people tell you that your letter should be longer than one page.

The point is: there are no rules! In fact, the reason people tell you a certain number of pages is that most people don’t want to read anything more than a few paragraphs (and even less when they’re on their phones). 

So they’ll just skim through the rest of your content and get bored if it’s too long. To keep them engaged and interested in what you’re saying throughout your cover letter, try using bullet points instead of paragraphs whenever possible. 

This will also help keep everything concise and easy to follow so readers can find exactly what they need when they search for information within each section of your document.

A well-written cover letter can make all the difference in your job application. According to UnleashCash, it is important to understand the importance of cover letters and why they are necessary to help you stand out from other applicants.

2. What Is The Ideal Number Of Pages A Cover Letter Should Be?

The ideal length for a cover letter is one to two pages. Any more than that, and you risk distracting from your strengths as a candidate by writing too much.

You need to include several important points in the body of your cover letter:

  • A summary of who you are and what you’ve done (if this information is new to the recruiter)
  • Why you’re interested in working for their company (and why they should be interested in hiring you)
  • The dates during which relevant work experience took place (this can help with verifying your work history)

A lot of organizations have been known to give preference to candidates who write short but powerful cover letters rather than those who write long ones. If there’s anything else that needs explaining, it’s fine to include an addendum or appendix at the end of your cover letter; just make sure it’s written professionally and conveys something relevant about yourself.

Before sending out a job application, make sure to include a cover letter, as it is often a requirement for most job postings. UnleashCash provides tips on writing a cover letter that can help you effectively showcase your skills and experience to potential employers.

3. What’s The Best Length Of A Cover Letter?

What’s the best length of a cover letter?

The ideal cover letter should be no longer than two or three paragraphs and will fit on one-page maximum (preferably less). 

When writing your cover letter, keep in mind that this is not an opportunity to repeat everything you’ve said in your resume but rather an opportunity to elaborate on why you’re interested in working at the company and how you can contribute to their success. 

If nothing else, demonstrating your interest in the role will help convince hiring managers of your genuine passion for it.

You should also use this section as an opportunity to introduce yourself by briefly describing who you are, what makes you unique, and what’s led up until this point whether it was a job search or some other experience that has influenced where things stand now. 

It’s fine if these introductions seem basic: after all, most hiring managers at least want to know who they’re interviewing before spending time with them!

4. How Long Should A Resume Be?

How long should a resume be? This is the question that most people ask themselves when they are writing their resumes. It can be difficult to decide how much information to include in your resume and what’s relevant to include. 

The length of your resume depends on the type of job position you are applying for, but it is always best to keep it as short as possible while still providing all the information that an employer may need. 

A good rule of thumb is one page for every 10 years of work experience. If you have less than 10 years of experience, then two pages would be fine. If you have more than 20 years of experience, then three pages should be allowed if needed (but only if necessary).

As much as possible, keep your cover letter concise and straight to the point. UnleashCash provides a guide on the appropriate length of a cover letter to help you ensure that your cover letter is not too short or too long for potential employers to read.

5. Should A Resume Include A Separate Section For Employment Gaps?

A resume is an overview of your career to date, so there’s no need to explain gaps. If you have a gap in employment, be sure to explain it in the job description. For example, “Gap of six months while I was on maternity leave”.

7. When Is It Ok To Contact An Employer Directly Via E-Mail?

The obvious case is if you have a question about a job posting. If you don’t see your answer to an entry-level position on their website, or in the job application process, then by all means send them an e-mail.

Another good time to contact them is if you have a question about the company itself. Do they have an internship program like yours? Are there other things that make this company unique? Are there any open jobs for which you might be qualified? 

Asking these types of questions can help both parties determine whether or not there’s any reason for further communication (involving papers and interviews).

When it comes down to it, contacting someone directly via e-mail should only be done when necessary; these are professionals who expect professionalism from applicants in return!

8. What Should I Include In My Cover Letter?

Here are the things you should include in your cover letter:

Summary of your resume. This is a brief overview of what you’ve done, how much experience it entails, and why it makes you qualified for the job. It’s meant to give the reader an idea of what kind of person they’re dealing with right off the bat.

List of your qualifications and skills. Why do they want to hire you? What makes you better than other candidates? Why would they benefit from hiring someone like yourself? 

These are just some of the questions that need answers in this section but don’t worry if these aren’t answered directly because there’s still plenty more space available for them later on in this paragraph!

Listing references (optional). References will be listed as part of this section if applicable otherwise refer back up above where we talked about which sections should appear at all times during writing time! 

We recommend including them here because then readers can easily find out who gave positive feedback about working with previous employers/colleagues who’ve come across their paths before now (if any). 

They may also want additional contact information such as phone numbers or emails so they can reach out after reading through everything thoroughly enough times throughout their schedule at home 

This way nothing gets lost along the way due simply because everyone forgot how important communication was between coworkers when working together towards common goals together.”

9. Should I Use Bullet Points Or Numbered Lists When Listing My Skills And Qualifications?

Bullet points are great for listing skills and qualifications. They have a very clear, visual impact, which can help to sell your points in the context of an interview.

Numbered lists are also common in cover letters; they’re often used for work experience and education history. Numbered lists make it easier to organize your information into specific categories, so it’s important to use them where they can be helpful.

Bullet points are a great way to break up the text in your cover letter and make it easier for employers to read through your qualifications. UnleashCash shares tips on how to effectively use bullet points in your cover letter to help you highlight your skills and experience.

10. Should My Cover Letter Have An Objective Section, Or Is That Unprofessional?

No, it’s fine to include an objective statement at the top of your cover letter. It’s a great way to share what you want with potential employers right up front. 

It shows that you are focused and know exactly what you want out of this job which will make them more likely to want to hire you! You can also use the skills section below your name and contact information to demonstrate how well-suited for the position you are.

Using subheadings in your cover letter can help you organize your thoughts and make it easier for employers to follow along with your qualifications. UnleashCash shares insights on the use of subheadings in a cover letter to help you make a strong impression on potential employers.

Conclusion

If you are looking for a job, it is important to know how long your cover letter should be. A cover letter can be one page or two pages long, but you must follow the guidelines set by the company or organization. It is also important to include all of the information needed so that they can easily identify what qualifies you for this position.

Further Reading

Here are some additional resources to help you improve your cover letter writing skills:

Can a Cover Letter Be Two Pages?: Learn more about the pros and cons of using a two-page cover letter and whether it’s appropriate for your job application.

Cover Letter Dos and Don’ts: Discover essential tips on how to make your cover letter stand out and avoid common mistakes that can hurt your chances of getting hired.

How to Write a Cover Letter: Get step-by-step guidance on how to write a compelling cover letter that effectively showcases your skills and experience to potential employers.

FAQs

What should be included in a cover letter?

A cover letter should include your contact information, a professional greeting, an introduction that explains why you’re interested in the job, a body that highlights your qualifications and experience, and a conclusion that thanks the employer for considering your application.

How long should a cover letter be?

A cover letter should generally be no more than one page long, but some industries or job postings may allow for a slightly longer cover letter, up to two pages. It’s important to read the job posting carefully to understand any specific requirements or guidelines.

Should I use bullet points in my cover letter?

Bullet points can be effective in breaking up long paragraphs and highlighting your key qualifications and achievements. However, it’s important to use bullet points sparingly and only when it makes sense to do so.

Can I reuse a cover letter for multiple job applications?

While you can use a general template for your cover letter, it’s important to tailor each cover letter to the specific job and company you’re applying to. This shows that you’ve done your research and are genuinely interested in the position.

How important is a cover letter in a job application?

A cover letter can be a critical component of a job application, as it allows you to showcase your personality, enthusiasm, and qualifications in a way that a resume alone cannot. However, not all employers require a cover letter, so it’s important to read the job posting carefully to understand any specific requirements or guidelines.