Don’t you hate it when you have to write a cover letter and there are no concrete rules? A lot of people assume that the length, format, and content of their cover letter should be the same as those for resumes.
But what if your cover letter is only 5 lines long? Is that too short? What if your resume is 1 page long but your cover letter is 10 pages long?
What should you include in these letters, how do they look and why do they matter to potential employers at all? In this article, we’ll explain all these questions so that you can write an effective one quickly and easily!
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A cover letter should typically be one page in length. |
| It’s important to customize your cover letter to the specific job you are applying for. |
| Your cover letter should include an introduction, a description of your relevant skills and experience, and a closing statement. |
| While using a template can be helpful for formatting purposes, it’s important to tailor your cover letter to the specific job. |
| It’s possible to submit a cover letter that is shorter than one page, but make sure to effectively communicate your qualifications and interest in the position. |
Does Your Cover Letter Need To Be A Page Long?
When it comes to cover letters, don’t feel the need to be wordy. Anything more than one page is probably too much.
Here’s why: Resumes have become so important that employers are sometimes surprised if they don’t get one along with a cover letter. However, a resume is meant for potential employers it should include all of your professional experience and accomplishments up until now.
The cover letter is there instead as an introduction to your personality and potential fit with the company; it’s not the place where you can brag about yourself or show off your vast knowledge base and skillset (those will come later).
While it is generally recommended to keep your cover letter to one page, there are some situations where a two-page cover letter may be appropriate. Learn more about when it’s acceptable to have a longer cover letter in our article on can your cover letter be two pages.
Should I Use A Resume Summary Or An Objective?
When you’re first approaching a new job, or even applying for a promotion at your current company, it’s best to use an objective. You might be wondering why this is the case. After all, many people will tell you that a resume summary is a way to go when you want to show off your skills and experience.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are far fewer applicants who know what they’re doing when they start their careers so if your experience isn’t as deep as someone else’s, then putting together a resume summary may not make sense for you.
Instead, focusing on explaining how much potential you have and where your interests lie (in other words: an objective) will be better received by employers who aren’t familiar with what makes up high-quality resumes yet.
What Is A Cover Letter Salutation?
If you’re emailing your cover letter, it’s a good idea to address the recipient by name. If you don’t know their first name and there’s no contact information on their website or any of their social media profiles, use “Dear Sir or Madam.”
This is a formal salutation that is appropriate for any situation where you aren’t sure whether someone is male or female (for instance, if they are an unknown person at a large company).
If you are sending your cover letter by post mail, then a formal salutation such as “Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms” will suffice.
If you come across a job posting that you are interested in, but your qualifications do not exactly match the requirements listed, don’t let that discourage you from applying. Check out our guide on what to do if your cover letter does not meet the requirements to learn how to address this issue in your cover letter.
How Do You Introduce Yourself In A Cover Letter?
Once you’ve established that you want to work for them and they want to hire you and all that, it’s time to ask for an interview. This is a good opportunity to remind the hiring manager why they should choose you over all the other applicants.
Give your contact information so they can reach out if they have questions or would like to set up an interview.
State your qualifications: describe any skills or previous experience that may be relevant (but don’t make this sound like a resume).
Mention any extra perks: are there benefits? Is there flexible scheduling? Do they offer paid time off or training opportunities? This can be especially important if the job posting doesn’t include much information about salary or benefits.
What Should You Not Do In A Cover Letter?
Don’t use the same cover letter for all jobs. This will show you as lazy, unmotivated, and weak.
Don’t tell stories in your cover letter. They don’t belong there. If the hiring manager wants to hear a story, they’ll ask you during an interview!
Don’t apologize for not having a cover letter because “I didn’t think it was necessary”. Cover letters are very much required, especially if you want to be considered seriously by an employer who cares about their brand and reputation as an employer of choice (i.e., most employers).
How Does A Good Cover Letter Look?
A good cover letter is short and to the point. It should not be longer than one page, if necessary. It should also be written in the second person: “you” instead of “I” or “we.”
A well-written cover letter should read more like a conversation than an essay, so it shouldn’t feel stiff or formal. You can communicate this by writing in a conversational tone, which means using contractions like “you” and “you’d.”
One of the most common questions about cover letters is whether or not they need to be one page in length. To learn more about the ideal length of a cover letter and whether or not it should be one page, check out our article on do cover letters have to be one page.
How Long Should Your Cover Letter Be For A Resume?
It depends. What industry are you applying to, and what job are you applying for? If you work in academia, it’s unlikely that anyone is going to spend more than three minutes with the rest of your application materials, so it can be totally fine to leave out a cover letter altogether.
Likewise, if all you’re doing is applying for administrative positions at banks or fast food restaurants where customer service skills are important above all else and not much else it may make sense for your resume and cover letter to be as short as possible so that someone doesn’t get bored halfway through reading them.
However, if there’s any possibility that your job will require some writing (or speaking) skill on the part of its employees for example journalism! Marketing! Customer service management! Communications departments at big companies!
Public relations firms and agencies! Creative jobs in general! then having an engaging cover letter will help set yourself apart from other candidates who haven’t bothered putting together something memorable or professional-looking yet haven’t bothered putting together something memorable or professional-looking yet
If you’re unsure about the ideal length of your cover letter, it’s important to consider the expectations of the hiring manager or recruiter who will be reading it. To learn more about whether or not your cover letter needs to be one page, check out our expert answer on do cover letters need to be one page.
How Do You Write A Simple Cover Letter?
Include your contact information and the position you are applying for at the top of your page. You can also include this information at the end, but it’s generally easier to find if it’s right there in front of you.
Give a brief explanation of why you want the job (or internship). If you are writing an introductory letter before sending a resume and cover letter, state that you are writing to request an interview because [insert reason here]. This can be something as simple as “I am interested in learning more about…” or “I would like to apply for…”
State why you are qualified for said position/internship
When It Comes To Writing Your Cover Letter, Try To Keep Your Message Clear And Concise
When it comes to writing your cover letter, try to keep your message clear and concise. Use a simple, straightforward format that highlights the most important points. Don’t use an overly complex one.
When writing your cover letter, use bullet points to highlight your most important skills and experience. Stay consistent throughout the document by using the same tone (don’t switch from formal to casual).
Avoid fluffy language; don’t try too hard to impress the reader with fancy words or phrases that don’t add value to what you’re saying. Your goal here is simply to get them interested enough in what you’re offering so that they’ll want to meet up with you for an interview!
Also avoid long sentences-keep them under 20 words if possible-and unnecessary information (for example: “I am currently looking for employment…”). Don’t forget about buzzwords either; avoid using them unless they really describe something relevant about yourself or accurately describe how awesomely well-qualified you are for this job!
Your cover letter should be long enough to effectively communicate your qualifications and interest in the position, but not so long that it becomes overwhelming to the reader. For more information on how to determine the appropriate length for your cover letter, check out our article on how big should a cover letter be.
Conclusion
You should now have a better understanding of what makes up a good cover letter. You should also know how to format your letter so that it follows the guidelines we’ve outlined in this post. If you’re still unsure about anything, feel free to ask us any questions in the comments below!
Further reading
Here are some additional resources that can provide more information on the ideal length for a cover letter:
Do I Need a Cover Letter? – This article provides an overview of the importance of cover letters and when they should be used.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? – This article discusses the ideal length of a cover letter and provides tips on how to make your cover letter stand out.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? – This article provides an overview of the ideal length of a cover letter and how to format it properly.
FAQs
Q: How long should a cover letter be?
A: The ideal length of a cover letter is generally one page. However, there are situations where a two-page cover letter may be appropriate, such as when applying for a senior-level position.
Q: What should I include in my cover letter?
A: Your cover letter should include an introduction, a description of your relevant skills and experience, and a closing statement. It should also be customized to the specific job you are applying for.
Q: Should I use a standard template for my cover letter?
A: While using a template can be helpful for formatting purposes, it’s important to customize your cover letter to the specific job you are applying for.
Q: Can I submit a cover letter that is shorter than one page?
A: Yes, it’s possible to submit a cover letter that is shorter than one page. However, it’s important to make sure that you still effectively communicate your qualifications and interest in the position.
Q: Should I include my full work history in my cover letter?
A: No, you do not need to include your full work history in your cover letter. Instead, focus on highlighting the most relevant skills and experiences that make you a strong fit for the job you are applying for.
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.