A cover letter is an essential part of your job application. It’s a chance to highlight how your skills and experience make you the perfect candidate for the position. But what makes a good cover letter? Should it be long or short?
In this guide, we’ll answer all of these questions and more! Let’s get started.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| The ideal length for a cover letter is between 250 and 400 words. |
| A well-written cover letter should include a brief introduction, relevant qualifications and experience, and a strong conclusion. |
| A cover letter should be concise and focused on the most important information. |
| Tailoring your cover letter to the specific job you’re applying for can help it stand out. |
| It’s generally not a good idea to include your salary requirements in your cover letter. |
What Is The Best Length For A Cover Letter?
It’s true that there is no set length for the cover letter, but it’s important to keep in mind how much information you want to convey. The goal of a cover letter is to make sure your resume gets read and considered.
If a hiring manager has hundreds of applications on their desk, they need something quick and clear that will help them decide whether or not they should spend more time looking at each one. If a cover letter starts by saying “I am applying for this position…” it can be taken as an indication of how long it will take until they get to what matters: your resume!
Starting a cover letter can be intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Check out our guide on how to start writing a cover letter to learn helpful tips and tricks to make the process easier.
What’s The Best Way To Start A Cover Letter?
The first part of your cover letter should be a salutation that matches the one in the job posting, similar to how you would greet someone you know well. This lets the employer know that you are familiar with their company and its culture, which can help boost your chances of getting an interview.
After this general greeting, explain why you are qualified for the position based on what is listed in their ads and what they said in their job postings.
Use action words like “achieved” or “managed” instead of dull ones like “was responsible for” when describing tasks or responsibilities at previous jobs; this gives employers a clearer picture of how well-suited you are for their needs.
Tell them what specific skillset makes them stand out from other applicants who might also be applying for this position for example: “I am confident I can add more value than other candidates because my experience working with high-volume data sets has made me an expert on SQL programming languages such as MySQL.”
Now, it’s time to tell them why YOU want THIS JOB! Don’t just say “This role sounds interesting;” instead explain how it fits into YOUR career goals/dreams (this will come across as more genuine).
You also have to show why YOU are special; go beyond just listing off previous work experiences by highlighting something unique about yourself but don’t overdo it! The point here is not only to show off your skillset but ALSO highlight WHY exactly those particular qualities make YOU uniquely qualified.”
How Do I Write A Cover Letter That Works?
The most important thing to do when writing a cover letter is to use a clear and concise format. You want to make sure that your potential employer can quickly understand who you are, why you’re interested in the position, and what makes you qualified for it.
It should also be short enough that they don’t have to spend more than a minute or two reading it.
In terms of formatting, using a consistent font (like Times New Roman) will help them see the whole letter as one body of text instead of multiple bits with different fonts everywhere.
And don’t worry about not being able to get creative with your font choice you’re applying for jobs here, so anything else would probably just look weird anyway!
A well-crafted cover letter can make all the difference in your job search. Our comprehensive guide on all you need to know about cover letter writing covers everything from formatting to content, so you can craft the perfect letter for any job application.
How Long Should My Cover Letter Be In The Us?
1-2 pages are the recommended length for a cover letter in the US.
Keep it concise, but include all relevant information.
A good rule of thumb is to have one page for each position you’re applying for. If you’re applying for multiple positions, write a separate document for each one and direct it toward the company’s needs and culture by tailoring your resume to fit those needs.
Cover letters should be included with all applications and CVs (resumes). They should also be sent along with emails when inquiring about jobs or internships.
Is It Important To Write A Cover Letter For A Job Application?
Yes, it is important to write a cover letter for a job application. A cover letter is a way to introduce yourself to the employer and explain why you are a good fit for the job. It also shows that you took the time to research the company and its needs.
Applicants need to tailor their letter specifically for each position they are applying for because it helps show them as an individual who will be able to solve problems in different ways than others might have done before them.
How Long Does A Hiring Manager Spend Looking At A Resume?
When it comes to resume scanning, hiring managers spend the most time on your first page. After all, this is where you’re expected to include your most relevant information, so your resume needs to stand out from the crowd as soon as possible.
Hiring managers tend to spend an average of six seconds on each resume they review and that includes those who scroll through them slowly!
If you have a longer cover letter and two pages total, that means hiring managers will spend roughly 12 seconds reading about you and your experience before deciding whether or not they want to learn more about what makes you unique among other applicants.
If you have four or five pages? They’ll probably glance at them for less than 10 seconds combined!
So what does this mean in real-world terms? Your goal should be clear: get their attention with a compelling introduction and make sure that they don’t lose interest until they’ve reached the end of each page (while still leaving room for some white space).
When applying for a job, your cover letter can be just as important as your resume. Check out our article on the importance of cover letters when applying for a job to learn why this document is so critical in making a great first impression.
Does Your Resume Have A Chance Of Getting Noticed?
If a company’s hiring manager is going to choose between two resumes, the one that best matches their needs will get the job.
If you have a good resume, it will get noticed. If your resume has relevant experience and skills for the position in question, it will be read. And if your resume highlights the skills needed for this specific job opening (ahem: those listed in the job description), then it has an even better chance of getting passed on to the hiring manager.
What Do Employers Look For In A Good Resume?
If you’re applying for a job, you’re going to need a resume. A potential employer will look at your resume to decide if they want to interview you and possibly hire you. To make sure that your resume gets read and that it shows the potential employer what makes you perfect for the job, here are some tips
A great resume looks professional. It should not have spelling mistakes or grammatical errors; it should be easy to read with plenty of white space around each section so that readers can easily find needed information; and its formatting should follow standard norms (i.e., no crazy colors).
A great cover letter is concise and clear about why this particular employer offers an opportunity for growth within their organization as well as personal growth opportunities outside of work hours such as community service projects or other activities not related directly back to career advancement goals
But still important nonetheless because those experiences teach us about ourselves through how we interact with others who may have different beliefs than ours own (like those who might vote differently than us).
Writing a cover letter can be time-consuming, but it’s worth the effort. Our guide on how long it takes to do a cover letter will give you a better idea of how much time to set aside and what to expect during the process.
What Are The Key Elements Of An Effective Resume?
Address your cover letter to a specific individual. You can find out who the hiring manager is by using LinkedIn or other social media sites, or by calling or visiting their offices.
The cover letter should be one page long, but you may want to make it two pages if you have extra information that would be helpful for the hiring manager’s review of your application materials (for example, if you have an extensive work history).
It’s important not just to send along your resume with a cover letter; they should look similar in style and format so they will flow together seamlessly when they are read by someone else (or even yourself!).
A cover letter should be long enough to convey your qualifications and interest in the job, but not too long that it becomes tedious to read. Check out our article on how long cover letters should be to learn more about the ideal length and structure of this important job application document.
Conclusion
The bottom line is that a cover letter should be short and sweet. If you’re applying for a job online, don’t expect to hear back from the company unless they need someone to fill an open position.
If there is no opening available at this time but your qualifications are what they are looking for then they may contact you later on down the line once something becomes available again.
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to help you improve your cover letter writing:
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?: This article provides tips on crafting a cover letter that is both concise and effective.
What’s the Ideal Cover Letter Length?: Indeed’s guide on cover letter length offers insight on how to make a strong first impression with a succinct cover letter.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?: This article from Zety provides useful advice on how to structure your cover letter for maximum impact.
FAQs
What is the ideal length for a cover letter?
The ideal length for a cover letter is generally between 250 and 400 words. This length provides enough space to showcase your qualifications and interest in the job, while also being concise and to-the-point.
Can a cover letter be too long?
Yes, a cover letter can be too long. If a cover letter is too lengthy, it may become tedious for the hiring manager to read, and could actually hurt your chances of getting the job. It’s best to keep your cover letter concise and focused on the most important information.
What should I include in my cover letter?
Your cover letter should include a brief introduction, a description of your relevant qualifications and experience, and a conclusion that emphasizes your interest in the job and your willingness to follow up.
How can I make my cover letter stand out?
To make your cover letter stand out, focus on tailoring it to the specific job you’re applying for. Use the job description to highlight the qualifications and experiences that make you the ideal candidate for the position.
Should I include my salary requirements in my cover letter?
It’s generally not a good idea to include your salary requirements in your cover letter. This information is better suited for the job application itself, or for discussions during the interview process.
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.