As a job seeker, you have to write cover letters all the time. And while they’re not as daunting as cover letter-writing can seem, it’s still important to know how many words should be in your cover letter and what constitutes a good length.
Here are some basic guidelines on what is the ideal length for a cover letter:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| A well-crafted cover letter can make a significant impact on your job application. |
| Highlight your skills and accomplishments in both your resume and cover letter. |
| Craft an engaging introduction to set the tone for the rest of the cover letter. |
| Avoid common mistakes, such as using generic language and not providing enough information about your qualifications. |
| Customize your cover letter for each job application and highlight relevant experience. |
| The appropriate length of a cover letter can vary, but it’s generally recommended to keep it to one page. |
How Many Words Should A Cover Letter Be?
The short answer: Not too many. You want to keep your cover letter as short as possible, while still including all the necessary information. The ideal length for your cover letter should be about one page long, or 500-600 words. This way you can get right to the point in under a minute!
Your cover letter and resume work hand in hand in landing your dream job. Make sure you’re highlighting your strengths and accomplishments on both documents. Check out our guide on how a resume and cover letter help you get the job for tips and tricks!
What Is The Ideal Cover Letter Length?
When it comes to cover letters, there are a lot of opinions on what is the ideal length. There are also some schools of thought that believe the length doesn’t matter at all. However, there seems to be agreement that shorter is better.
The majority of hiring managers and recruiters say they’d rather read a shorter letter than a longer one. The consensus seems to be that less than one page is ideal for most applications; anything more than two pages will probably just get unread or skipped over entirely by your potential employer.
If you do have more information about yourself or your skillset (or can’t fit everything into a single page), then make sure you explain why this extra content matters in your application and what makes it worth reading over again this will help make sure your hiring manager sees its value when he gets around to reading your cover letter later on down the line!
Can You Send A Cover Letter That’s Too Long?
You know that cover letters are one page, right? Well, that’s not always true.
Cover letters can be as long or as short as they need to be it all depends on the person reading it and what they expect from you.
You should always try to keep your cover letter under two pages but if you are applying for an entry-level job or a job where your experience doesn’t match up with the job description, then it is perfectly fine to write a longer letter (up to three pages).
Starting a cover letter can be daunting, but it’s important to set the tone for the rest of the document. Learn how to craft an engaging introduction with our tips on how to start writing a cover letter.
At What Point Does A Cover Letter Become Too Long?
You should never send a cover letter or resume that’s longer than a page. If you’re writing an attachment, use the word processor to make it one page, then save the document and attach it to your email.
If your cover letter is longer than one page, people will be less inclined to read it because their attention spans are not long enough. Since they have hundreds of other applicants competing for jobs, they don’t want to take time out of their days reading something so long that could be cut down with some editing skills (or at least paragraphs).
When writing your cover letter, keep in mind that companies want short responses from candidates; therefore, try not to include any unnecessary details about yourself such as hobbies or where you went on vacation last summer.
Instead, focus on why you’re the best candidate for the job – this means focusing more on selling rather than telling them what makes YOU special!
How To Keep Your Cover Letter Short & Sweet
While there are no hard-and-fast rules for the length of your cover letter, there are several things you can do to make sure that it’s not too long:
Use action verbs. Instead of writing “I was responsible for…”, write “We achieved…” or “I managed. This makes your letter sound more dynamic and energetic.
Use bullet points instead of paragraphs whenever possible (e.g., when listing your major achievements). This will help keep readers engaged by highlighting the most important parts of your message in quick succession without having to read through a lot of text.
Write in active voice rather than passive voice (e g., “I wrote an article” vs., “An article was written by me”). The latter make sentences longer because they need extra words like “by him/her” or “by them,” which makes them harder to read quickly as well as makes the writer seem less confident about what he/she has done!
If you’re unsure whether something should be in active or passive voice, ask yourself: Is there an agent acting upon another object? If so, then go with action; otherwise, try using something else entirely instead like another verb tense (eg present perfect) if applicable
Writing a cover letter is an art form. It’s important to highlight your skills and experience in a concise and engaging way. Check out our guide on how cover letters work to learn more!
When It’s Okay To Go Over A Page
It’s okay to go over the one-page mark if:
You have a lot of experience, or a very long list of accomplishments (e.g., awards and honors) to share, that would be hard to fit into your resume
You have an extensive list of references with impressive credentials
You are applying for a very competitive position that requires extensive research and/or writing skills
Crafting the perfect cover letter takes time and effort. From format to content, it’s important to make sure you’re hitting all the right notes. Take a deep dive into all things cover letters with our comprehensive guide to cover letters!
How To Write A One-Page Cover Letter (Examples Included)
The cover letter is an important part of the job application process. It’s the first thing employers see when they open your resume, and they use it to decide whether they want to read further.
You should be able, to sum up why you’re a good fit for the job in just one page and not only that, but you should make sure that what’s written on that page is concise and written. In other words: Make every word count!
Wondering how long your cover letter should be? The answer might surprise you. Check out our guide on how many pages a cover letter can be to learn more about the appropriate length for your next job application.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a cover letter should be between one and two pages. This is the most common length of a cover letter and will get you into the door for most jobs. If you find yourself writing more than two pages, it might be time to trim down your content or consider whether there is another position where your experience would better fit what they’re looking for.
Further Reading
7 Cover Letter Mistakes Entry-Level Candidates Make (and How to Fix Them Now) – This article provides insight into common mistakes made in entry-level cover letters and how to avoid them.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? – This article offers guidance on the appropriate length of a cover letter and what to include.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? Ideal Cover Letter Length – This article provides insight into the ideal length of a cover letter and tips on how to achieve it.
FAQs
What should be included in a cover letter?
A cover letter should include a brief introduction, information about your qualifications and experience, and a closing statement expressing your interest in the position.
How long should a cover letter be?
The appropriate length of a cover letter can vary depending on the industry and position, but generally, it should be no longer than one page.
What are common mistakes to avoid in a cover letter?
Common mistakes to avoid in a cover letter include addressing it to the wrong person or company, using generic language, and not providing enough information about your qualifications and experience.
Should a cover letter be customized for each job application?
Yes, it’s important to customize your cover letter for each job application to highlight your qualifications and experience relevant to the position.
Is it necessary to include a cover letter when submitting a job application?
While it may not always be required, including a cover letter can help you stand out from other applicants and provide additional information about your qualifications and experience.
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.