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Why Include a Cover Letter
Email cover letter length, cover letter word count, use a concise subject line, how to format a cover letter.
Cover letters are an important part of the job application process . You should almost always send a cover letter with a job application unless the hiring manager specifically asks you not to.
However, one thing that is less clear is how long your cover letter should be. If it is too short, employers might think you do not care much about the job. If it is too long, employers might not take the time to read your letter and may not consider you for an interview.
Read below for more advice on how long your cover letter should be, as well as additional advice on writing a strong cover letter.
Should you include a cover letter with your resume? Some employers require cover letters , and you can find out if they do by reading the job posting. If a cover letter is required, the job advertisement will mention it.
Jobvite's Recruiter Nation Survey reports that only 27% of recruiters said that cover letters are important in their hiring decisions, up from 8% in 2017. A CareerBuilder survey reports that 40% of human resources managers responded that a cover letter would help an applicant get noticed.
Cover letter requirements vary between employers, industries, and the jobs the organization is filling. They also vary depending on whether you're sending an email cover letter, sending a printed letter attachment, or uploading your document.
Even when a cover letter isn't required, it can boost your chances of getting hired if you include one when you apply for a job.
Therefore, only leave out a cover letter when the employer specifically asks you not to send one.
How Long Should Your Cover Letter Be?
Should you keep your cover letter short, or should it be a full page or even longer? Your cover letter should be no longer than one page. If you're sending an email letter, it can be even shorter.
In fact, as far as how long your cover letter should be, shorter is better. The exception would be when an employer requests a letter that's a specific length or number of words.
- Your cover letter should be a maximum of one page, and shorter than that for an email cover letter.
- Some employers want even less. A Saddleback College survey reported that almost 70% of employers wanted a cover letter of a half page or shorter, 20% had no preference, and 12% expected a full page letter.
Your letter should concisely highlight your most relevant qualifications for the job and what you have to offer the employer.
When sending an email cover letter , it's even more important to be concise. The first paragraph is what readers pay attention to when reading an email. The rest of the message is typically skimmed. Two paragraphs—one that serves as an introduction, and one that explains your qualification for the job—and then a closing is sufficient.
There is no specific word count you should aim for when writing a cover letter (unless the employer gives you a specific word count). Instead of focusing on the number of words, focus on making your cover letter one page or less, with a readable font and font size, and enough white space between paragraphs and in the margins.
Your goal is to highlight your most relevant qualifications for the job , not to repeat everything that's on your resume.
However, if you use a 12-point font, a full page letter, not including the heading or signature, would be approximately 250 to 400 words.
You might want to hand a printed out version of your cover letter to a friend or family member and ask them if the letter seems too wordy, or too difficult to read.
You can also make your email cover letter stand out with a clear, concise email subject line . Typically, you want to include the title of the position that you are applying for and your name. For example: Editorial Assistant-John Smith (try to keep it less than 30 characters).
This is about as much as people can see on their mobile devices, which is often how people check their email.
Just as important as the length of your cover letter is the format . You will want to choose a font that is simple and legible (such as Arial, Calibri, Verdana, or Times New Roman) in a readable font size (typically 12 point).
Your letter should include the following:
- Heading (hard copy letter)
- Introductory Paragraph
- Your Qualifications (one to three paragraphs or a list of bullet points)
- Signature (include your contact information in your signature when sending an email letter)
Your margins should be 1-inch all around, with the text aligned to the left.
You also want to leave space between paragraphs in your cover letter , as well as between your salutation and the text (and between your text and the signature), so that your letter is easy to read.
A good rule of thumb is that you always want a good amount of white space on the paper . This will prevent your letter from looking too cluttered and difficult to read.
Jobvite. " Recruiter Nation Survey ," page 19. Accessed Jan. 3, 2022.
CareerBuilder. " How to Create a Cover Letter That Gets Attention ." Accessed Jan. 3, 2022.
CareerOneStop. " Write Effective Cover Letters ." Accessed Jan. 3, 2022.
Saddleback College. " Your Resume is Your 1st Interview ." Accessed Jan. 3, 2022.
How Long Should a Cover Letter Be in 2024?
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Finally, an organization posted your dream job. You crafted a flawless resume and now you’re ready to apply. You land on the cover letter section of the application and see that it is optional. Is it truly optional?
Will not submitting make me less likely to land the job? Where do I even start and how long should the cover letter be?
These are some things that might run through your head. But don’t panic, we are here to help. No matter what your career level is, your cover letter can set you apart from the other applicants. But how much do you have to write?
This can be a complicated question. Too much text? The hiring manager might glance over it. Too short? The recruiter may think that you didn’t put much thought or effort into writing the cover letter .
Cover letters should range from a half-page to one full page. Your cover letter should never exceed one page in length.
- Page Count: 0.5 to 1
- Word count: 250 to 400
- Paragraph count: 3 to 6
![how long can an indeed cover letter be how long should a cover letter be](https://blog-cdn.novoresume.com/articles/how-long-should-a-cover-letter-be/how-long-should-a-cover-letter-be.png)
How to Keep Your Cover Letter to One Page
Tip #1: keep it concise.
While the cover letter is a great way to showcase your personality, it is also very important to be concise. Hiring managers are sifting through dozens, and maybe even hundreds, of applications.
They do not have time to read a full two-page article about your daily tasks. Instead, highlight any relevant experiences that show your qualifications for the specific job.
Demonstrate your passion for the industry and end the letter. The decision-maker will appreciate your brevity and may even reward you with an interview .
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Tip #2: Highlight Only Relevant Experiences
Unless the employer requests a specific word count, keep it short. Take only the amount of space required to show that you are an ideal candidate for the job.
Highlight your qualifications and any relevant stories. It’s important to be specific, and not regurgitate the content on your resume.
It is very important here to showcase how your past achievements can help the company solve their current challenges and how you will use your skills if chosen for the position.
Doing so will show the recruiter or hiring manager the value you can bring to their organization.
![how long can an indeed cover letter be matching resume and cover letter](https://blog-cdn.novoresume.com/articles/how-long-should-a-cover-letter-be/matching-resume-and-cover-letter.png)
Tip #3: Break Your Cover Letter into Sections
An effective cover letter contains three to four paragraphs. It’s important to keep the sentences short so the reader can quickly navigate your cover letter.
Paragraph #1: The Intro
The first paragraph should grab the decision-maker’s attention. This is an opportunity to show your interest in the position and knowledge of the company. Make sure you address your cover letter to the correct person or department. Always be sure to research the company and customize each cover letter to the position you are applying for.
Example: “I am excited to submit my application for the position of [insert position name] with [insert company name]. I have watched your growth for years and really appreciate the devotion to serving your customer’s needs.”
Paragraph #2: Your Qualifications
The second paragraph should highlight relevant stories or stats that impress your qualifications. For example, “In the previous company, I grew sales by 150% in my first year and 200% in my second year.” It is helpful if you can be specific in how you achieved success or benefited the company in some way. This highlights what you bring to the table and how you can make an impact on the hiring manager’s business.
Paragraph #3: Your Interest in the Company
The third paragraph, if you choose to include it, can speak to what drew you to apply to the specific company. This can sway the hiring manager's decision by showing passion and loyalty to the company.
Paragraph #4: The Closing
The final paragraph should reiterate your interest in the position. It is a great time to thank the reader for their consideration and request an in-person meeting. It’s important to have a call-to-action so the reader knows what to do next. Always include detailed contact information.
Tip #4: Experience Level
Cover letters can vary based on your experience level. If you are applying for jobs right out of college, don’t include metrics measured in school, such as GPA, unless requested. Instead, focus on your experiences, projects and achievements that make you a strong candidate.
If you are in the middle of your career, pick out relevant accomplishments and state your experience level. For example, “With 12 years of teaching experience, I am writing to express my interest in the open position in your Mathematics Department.”
If you have more experience, you likely have more relevant qualifications and stories. This may entice you to make your cover letter longer. Do not fall into the trap.
Longer does not mean better . Select a few key successes and leave others for the interview process.
![how long can an indeed cover letter be cover letter one page length](https://blog-cdn.novoresume.com/articles/how-long-should-a-cover-letter-be/cover-letter-one-page-length.png)
Tip #5: Formatting
The format is just as important as the length of your cover letter. Pay attention to the amount of white space on the page. More white space keeps the content easier to read for the recruiter or hiring manager.
You want to make sure that you use a font that is legible (as the ones handpicked by our team together with recruiters). Keep standard margins and align your text to the left.
Writing a cover letter can be intimidating. If you remember to keep your writing concise and highlight only your relevant experiences, you will be on your way to snagging an interview in no time.
Suggested Reading:
- How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024
- Resume Formats Guide: How to Pick the Best in 2024
- Cover Letter Examples
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Limit your cover letter to four paragraphs. Generally, your cover letter should be between half a page and one full page in length. Divide your cover letter into three or four short paragraphs that can be read in around 10 seconds or less. In these paragraphs, include a strong topic sentence and write just enough to prove that you're ...
Here's how: Click Add next to Supporting documents at the bottom of the application review page. Select a reference letter, transcript, or portfolio from your device after clicking Upload file. Other files can still be added even if you've added a cover letter. Click Update to save the attached file (s). This takes you back to your ...
If you're providing a hard copy of your cover letter, handwrite your signature and also include your full typed name. Download Cover Letter Outline Template. To upload the template into Google Docs, go to File > Open > and select the correct downloaded file. Related: Creating the Perfect Cover Letter (With Template and Example)
Here are six steps to help you write a strong entry-level cover letter: 1. Address your letter professionally. Because your cover letter will be part of your candidate portfolio, use a professional format to address the letter. Begin with your contact information written in the top left-hand corner.
You don't need pages and pages to do that. In a survey of 205 HR professionals, ResumeLab found that 42% of respondents preferred cover letters between half and one page and 40% preferred cover letters that were less than half a page. Only 18% said they preferred cover letters longer than one page. Muse coach Steven Davis, a technical ...
Reviewed By Conrad Benz, Hiring Manager. November 29, 2023. As featured in *. Typically, a cover letter should be 250-400 words or three to four concise paragraphs. The ideal cover letter length is a half-page to one page long. This cover letter length gives you enough space to communicate your experience and convey your interest in applying ...
A cover letter can be anything between half a page and a full-page long. Generally, you should aim for a cover letter word count of 250 to 400 words and about three to six paragraphs. A short, concise cover letter serves as a written introduction to a prospective employer and outlines why you're the best fit for the job.
1. Begin by introducing yourself. To start your cover letter, introduce yourself. This means including your full name, your specific interest in the position and the reasons you've chosen to apply. If you got a referral to the job from another party, ensure to mention this in the first paragraph. 2.
The general rule of thumb for cover letter length is 250-400 words. But don't sweat too much if your cover letter ends up being just 200 words long—this is perfectly normal, especially if you're writing an entry-level cover letter or a cover letter with no work experience at all. Rate my article: how long. 5 ( 6 votes)
Email Cover Letter Length. Cover Letter Word Count. Use a Concise Subject Line. How to Format a Cover Letter. Photo: vgajic / Getty Images. The best length for a cover letter to send with a resume, spacing and format, when you don't need one, and tips for writing cover letters for jobs.
Cover letters should range from a half-page to one full page. Your cover letter should never exceed one page in length. Perfect Cover Letter Length Characteristics. Page Count: 0.5 to 1. Word count: 250 to 400. Paragraph count: 3 to 6.
2. Use an appropriate greeting. If you know the name of the hiring manager for this job, begin your cover letter by addressing them directly (Example: Dear Jane). When writing your CV, it's important to avoid weak and passive verbs, stay away from business jargon or clichés, and watch out for tired words and phrases.
Cover letter format example Finally, here is a cover letter format example. Tara Treadwell +44 4555 5555 55 [email protected] January 23, 2018 Dear Recruitment Manager, I'm excited to be applying for the Web Developer position at [Company Name]. I've been programming websites and using CSS to create user-friendly experiences since I was in sixth form, so it's long been a passion ...
See your Match Rate increase. Update your cover letter document, click on the Upload and rescan button, then paste in the updated text of your cover letter. Your Match Rate will update. Continue this process with your resume and cover letter until you reach a match rate of 75% or higher. Start Optimizing Your Cover Letter.
Let's review four key pieces of information you can weave into your career change cover letter. 1. Clarify your career change context. Explaining why you're interested in changing careers and how the role you're applying to fits within your larger career aspirations can preemptively contextualize your story.
The following is an example cover letter for an audit manager: Chuck Ferris. Chicago, Illinois. 304-555-0192. [email protected] March 14, 2024 Mr. Bob Richardson. ABC Company Dear Bob Richardson, I am writing to express my interest in the audit manager position listed on the ABC Company website.
Your cover letter should be around three to six paragraphs, or around 250 to 400 words. However, the length of your cover letter may vary depending on the job application and industry you're applying for. The only time you should go over the one-page cover letter length is if the job ad specifically asks for this, or if you have a lot of ...
Project administrator cover letter template. Here is a template you can use to create your own cover letter for a project administrator role: [Your name] [Your address] [City, postcode] [Your email address] [Today's date] [Recipient's name] [Recipient's company] Dear [Recipient's name], I am writing to apply for the position of project ...
To help you understand more about cover letters, here is a sample cover letter for a production position: Richard Smith Birmingham B1 1BL. 44 (0)1632 960513. [email protected]. 23 February 2024 Mr Dan Brown. Wavewords Production Company Dear Mr Brown, I am writing to apply for the advertised production operative role at Wavewords Production Company.
Product owner cover letter example To help you learn more about cover letters, here is an example of a cover letter for a product owner role: Richard Smith Birmingham, B1 1BL 44 (0)1632 960513 [email protected] 23 February 2024 Mr Dan Brown Wavewords Limited Dear Mr Brown, As an ambitious and innovative product owner with over five years of experience in leading cross-functional teams and ...