cover letters take too long

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? (Examples)

By Biron Clark

Published: November 10, 2023

Cover Letters

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you’re wondering how long a cover letter should be, this article has everything you need to know (including exactly how many words to make your cover letter).

I’m going to share why most job seekers are making their cover letters far too long, and why you will likely get more job interviews by writing less in your cover letter.

Let’s get started…

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

Cover letters should be one page long and total 75 to 250 words. This recommendation applies to both printed and email cover letters. It’s okay if your cover letter doesn’t take up an entire page, but it should never exceed one full page.

Job seekers needing to explain gaps in employment , a recent change in career path, etc., may want to utilize more words in their cover letter than someone with a more standard background.

A job seeker who is staying within their current industry and career path (e.g. moving from Software Engineer to Senior Software Engineer) and not needing to explain a lengthy work gap should aim to be on the lower end of the recommended cover letter word count mentioned above — somewhere between 70 and 150 words.

As an example, my favorite cover letter template from Harvard Business Review has only 76 words:

As you customize this cover letter, the word count will likely rise a bit, but it’ll remain much shorter than what most job seekers send. And that’s a good thing!

This type of letter is going to be very different than what most job seekers are sending and what you’ve seen recommended online, and that’s often a plus.

Coming up soon, I’ll explain why a shorter cover letter may improve your odds of hearing back on a job application.

How Many Paragraphs Should a Cover Letter Include?

The typical cover letter should contain three to six paragraphs. Each paragraph should be relatively short, containing two to four sentences. This is especially important in the first paragraph of your cover letter, where you want to entice the reader and encourage them to keep reading by providing a short, punchy opening.

In general, when writing to grab someone’s attention, focus heavily on making the first paragraph compelling, because this is your first impression or “elevator pitch,” for why they should keep reading.

Now that you know how long a cover letter should be, let’s look at some specific benefits of using this length, which is shorter than some people recommend.

Reasons to Consider a Shorter Cover Letter

Now that you know how many words a cover letter should be, let’s talk about why I recommend this as the ideal length, even though some career experts recommend your cover letter be longer.

There are four things that happen when you keep your cover letter relatively short…

1. You Stand Out by Being Different

Here’s an example of a typical full-page cover letter that many job seekers are sending:

If you’ve sent something like that in the past, it’s NOT your fault…

Almost every website with cover letter templates recommends this format, and it’s what you’re constantly told to send.

But that’s the beauty of limiting your cover letter to my ideal cover letter length of 75 to 250 words. It’s different than what everyone else is doing!

From the first glance, you’re showing the hiring manager that your cover letter is unique and worth reading closely . You show that you’re not going to bore them half to sleep with yet another generic letter containing info from a template or info that’s already on your resume.

Whereas, if you send a full-page cover letter like the image/example above, the hiring manager is thinking, “Okay, here’s another huge page of info to read through that’s probably based on a template.”

This happens to them over and over, all day.

That brings me to my next benefit…

2. You Get Your Cover Letter Read (Not Skimmed!)

Most job seekers send cover letters that so long-winded that nobody wants to read them. The hiring manager may read to the second or third paragraph, but they’re unlikely to through to the end.

Beyond that, job hunters send cover letters that repeat information from their resume, which doesn’t provide any value to the hiring manager or recruiter .

But because your cover letter is short, and ideally has small paragraphs, it’s inviting to read. Hiring managers open your email or letter and think, “Great, I can read this no problem.”

So they read your cover letter from start to finish without skipping a word!

This is why you should always send the hiring manager a short cover letter where each line has a purpose and message and does something to sell them on why you deserve the interview.

You don’t have to take my word for it, though. Test it! Send half of your cover letters in the standard, full-page style seen above, but with the other half, test what I’m suggesting here. Greatly reduce the word count, get right to the point, only offer info that’s not on your resume.

We’ve now looked at two reasons why the full-page cover letter is not the ideal length/approach. But I’ve got two more reasons for you…

3. You Draw Attention to Your Strongest Points/Skills

If you’re naming 20 different skills and qualifications in your cover letter, it’s hard for a recruiter or hiring manager to pick out the most important pieces.

Whereas, if you just name your three or four strongest arguments for why you’d be a great fit for their job description, those points will stand out (and get read, as mentioned above).

Sometimes less is more, and with cover letters, it’s often the case!

So this is another factor to consider when deciding how long your cover letter should be.

4. You Get Your “Call to Action” Read So You Win More Interviews

Finally, you should end each cover letter with a “Call to Action,” which I’ll explain in the next section.

This is where you ask for the interview, which is something many job seekers don’t do properly (or don’t do at all) in their cover letter.

And by keeping your letter brief, this closing paragraph comes relatively quickly… sometimes as the third or fourth paragraph… so it’s much more likely to get the reader’s full attention which means you’ll get more interviews.

Recommended Cover Letter Font Size

The best font size for your cover letter is 12 points, whether you’re sending a printed or an email cover letter. Avoid fancy fonts and choose a simple, easy-to-read font like Calibri or Arial. Include plenty of white space and small, punchy paragraphs. It’s better to have multiple, concise paragraphs in your cover letter than one or two very long paragraphs. This helps with readability.

How to End Your Cover Letter: Ask for the Interview

This is one other mistake a lot of job seekers make with their cover letters, along with repeating info on the resume and just being far too long-winded. They don’t ask for the interview in their closing paragraph!

The whole point of the cover letter is to win you job interviews . So after you’ve got the specific word count you want, make sure to finish up by actually asking the hiring manager to call you and set up a time to discuss in more detail!

Here’s an example of how you could conclude an email cover letter:

I’d love to discuss the position over the phone and provide a bit more context for how I can help you in this role. Are you available for a phone call later this week or early next week? My phone number is 555-218-4987.

Or, simply use the cover letter conclusion from the first example in this article, from Harvard Business Review:

I have attached my resume for your review and would welcome the chance to speak with you sometime.

However, I prefer a slightly stronger conclusion to a cover letter that really prompts the hiring manager to reply to a direct question. That should get you more responses from your cover letter, no matter your cover letter length!

Conclusion: How Many Words Should a Cover Letter Be?

To reiterate how long a cover letter should be, I recommend sticking to 250 words or less and never exceeding one page.

It’s beneficial to keep your letter short and concise for both a printed cover letter and a cover letter sent by email.

The shorter format allows you to focus on your strongest points and grab the hiring manager’s attention without overwhelming them with too much text or info. This will help you get more interviews and separate you from other job seekers who send long, generic, cut-and-paste cover letters with their applications.

However, as mentioned earlier, the length of your cover letter will vary depending on the industry (in a very formal, traditional industry, you may want to go for a slightly longer word count).

If you have an unusual scenario to explain, then your ideal cover letter length may be longer, too.

So don’t take the advice above as a hard-and-fast rule, but just a general guideline on how long a typical cover letter should be to win more job interviews.

As a final step, make sure to proofread everything! Sending a cover letter with a typo or mistake can cost you the job interview even if you have great qualifications and writing style.

More cover letter resources:

• Do you need to send a cover letter?
• How to write a cover letter with no experience
• 3 steps to writing a cover letter that stands out

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

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• Cover Letter

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? Ideal Length in 2024

Our customers have been hired by:

Before we get to discussing the ideal cover letter length, remember: it's not the only thing that matters. You must know how to put the space you have to good use. 

Let's find out how long should a cover letter be and what should be included to amaze your future employer.

This guide will show you:

• An example of a cover letter with the right word count.
• The answer for “ Can a cover letter be 2 pages?”  
• How long is a cover letter and how to keep its length under control.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from  20+ professional cover letter templates  that match your resume. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

Create your cover letter now

Sample cover letter for a resume— See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here .

If you have already found the answer to your question, you may want to explore other subjects related to cover letter writing:

• What Does a Good Cover Letter Look Like
• What Your Cover Letter Should Say
• Cover Letter Structure

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be: Example

Margaret O'Connor

Business Analyst

456 Pine Street

Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83402

123-456-7890

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/margaret.oconnor

Idaho Falls, April 19, 2022

Jackson Lopez

Hiring Manager

1234 Blvd Road

Boise, Idaho, 83702

Dear Mr. Lopez,

I am thrilled to apply for the business analyst position at Zen Labs. With my three years of experience in the field at Blink, I have honed my strategic planning, data analysis, and process improvement abilities, making me an ideal candidate for this role.

One noteworthy accomplishment at Blink was streamlining the company's data analysis processes, resulting in a 30% increase in operational efficiency. My analytical abilities and passion for problem-solving will allow me to contribute to the continued success of Zen Labs.

I am drawn to Zen Labs because of your commitment to innovation and reputation for nurturing talent. My experience in project management and proficiency in utilizing data analysis tools will aid in designing efficient strategies that align with the company's objectives. My skills will bring the value and growth Zen Labs seeks in a business analyst.

I would be thrilled to have an in-person meeting to discuss further how my experience and expertise can best serve Zen Labs. Please reach out at your earliest convenience to arrange a time.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to contributing to Zen Labs.

Best Regards,

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

A good cover letter contains 3 to 4 concise paragraphs and no more than 400 words in total. For entry-level candidates, 200 words is the sweet spot. Ideally, your cover letter contents should take up slightly more than half a page .

Here are the numbers to benchmark your cover letter against:

Why so short? , you might ask. Think about the main purpose of a cover letter: your cover letter introduces you to the recruiter and it’s supposed to get them interested in you as a candidate. As such, it has to be brief and to-the-point—it must strike the right balance between the length and the message. 

Recruiters receive dozens of job applications for each position. If instead of the information they’re looking for, they come across a story of your life, they’ll skip it without batting an eyelash.

And here's an example of a one-page cover letter with the right page, paragraph, and word count:

One Page Cover Letter—Example With the Ideal Number of Words

Sample cover letter made with our builder: See more cover letter templates and create your cover letter here .

The example above shows a cover letter outline . Its length is perfect for a PDF file that you can send as an email attachment.

But you may want to write your cover letter in the body of the email you’ll be sending to the hiring manager.

If that’s the case, just skip the cover letter heading and start with Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name] . Plus, make it as compact as possible—get rid of all the fluff and do your best to reduce the message to the absolute minimum. Take a look at how it's done in the example below where the main body is only 120 words:

Short Email Cover Letter—Example

I'm very excited about the software engineer position at Igatronix, Inc. I'm confident I can help you become the #1 SaaS video editing platform on the web. For one, I led the team that won the Bossie for an online video editing application.

To me, the Bossie wasn't just an award, but a culmination of:

• Eight years as the CEO of a profitable video production firm.
• Growing revenue for a SaaS business 22% through superior development.
• Advanced product testing, pulling in client teams to boost customer ratings 32%.

I've been a huge fan of Igatronix products for several years. It's your commitment to letting employees guide the life cycle that delivers your success. You value self-motivated, highly creative software engineers, and my record speaks for itself.

Can we set up a time...

The trick is to use experience bullet points to your advantage. They not only make your strongest selling points prominent but also help you save a lot of space.

And, just like with a paper cover letter, make sure you sell:

• Why this role.
• Why this company.

If you don’t know how to write a good cover letter email, this article will guide you by the hand: How to Write an Email Cover Letter

For more information on how to write a short and sweet cover letter, check out this guide: Short Cover Letter Examples [5+ Samples for Job Application

Pro Tip: A resume and cover letter make a fabulous duo but keep your cover unique and only complementary to your resume. Your recruiter should not experience déjà vu.

When making a resume in our builder, drag & drop bullet points, skills, and auto-fill the boring stuff. Spell check? Check . Start building a  professional resume template here for free .

When you’re done, our online resume builder will score your resume and our resume checker will tell you exactly how to make it better.

How Long is a Cover Letter and How to Make the Most of Its Length

Here’s a typical scenario: You typed up your entire cover letter and… realized it’s more of a novelette than a letter. Don’t worry, though, we’re here to help.

Let's start with frequently asked questions about the cover letter length.

Can a cover letter be 2 pages?

A cover letter should never be 2 pages. A 2-page cover letter violates the cover letter definition. Namely, a cover letter is a brief description of why you fit the job. In rare cases, a  resume can be two pages if you've got enough experience .

Is my cover letter too long?

A cover letter is too long if it's a full page or longer. Three-page or two-page cover letters are a waste of paper. A cover letter should be about three paragraphs of facts explaining why you're perfect for the position.

Should a cover letter be one page?

Another question is: does a cover letter have to be one page? Actually, a cover letter should always be less than one page. Short cover letters get more eye-time with managers. A cover letter that's less than a page sends an instant signal to the manager that your letter won't run over to page 2.

How many words should a cover letter be?

How long are cover letters? Cover letter word count should be between 200 and 400 words (300 is the sweet spot.) Why? Because that's the right length to fill up slightly more than half a page with 12-point font. But that's not how you'll get the interview.

How long should an electronic cover letter be?

An electronic cover letter should be the length of cover letters on paper. Namely, three paragraphs, 250-300 words, and less than a full page. The difference is, write a great subject line and leave the address section off the top.

Should a cover letter be double spaced?

A cover letter should not be double spaced. Always single space a cover letter. That includes the address. The only place to double space a cover letter is in between the paragraphs. That is: insert a blank line after each paragraph ends.

What about academic cover letter length?

A cover letter for an academic position should be no longer than two pages, but long enough to show off your accomplishments. Research, teaching, departmental service, and relevant accolades. The typical academic cover letter is usually one and a half to two pages long (or about five to eight paragraphs.)

Why does the right length of cover letter matter?

The right cover letter length matters because it sends a signal you're worth looking into. But how you make a cover letter the right length decides how many interviews you get.

So the real question is,  how do you make your cover letter the right length ?

Tips for finding the ideal cover letter length

• Focus on the value you bring.

Identify what’s relevant and ignore all the rest. How? Treat the job offer as a guide and only touch upon the things it mentions. Say what you can do to help the company in the areas specified by the recruiter in the ad.

• Don’t write a biography.

Cover letters introduce you to the recruiter. So make sure it’s an introduction, not the story of your entire life. If you have no idea how to go about this, read our guide on how to write a cover letter .

• Get a second opinion.

Have someone read your cover letter and ask them for a critique. The thing is that it’s very hard to see redundancies and inconsistencies in your own piece of writing. Give it to someone who’ll look at it with fresh eyes.

• Observe the limits.

If the right cover letter length is about 400 words, do your best to stay below this limit. Also, double-check if the employer hasn’t specified their own limits anywhere. If they did, stick to these.

• Don’t reveal everything.

Imposing a limit on the length of your cover letter will make you less likely to give everything away too soon. In other words, do show your best side on the cover letter, but keep some aces up your sleeve for the interview.

• Get the formatting right.

White space is your friend, so don't fill up the entire page with densely packed paragraphs. Set one-inch margins all around, left-align the contents, choose an elegant cover letter font , and don't go below 11pt in terms of the font size. But don't overdo it. Adding double spaces between lines of text is not such a great idea—stick to single line spacing or 1.15 at the maximum. 

Still not sure how to format your cover letter to optimize its length? Head straight to our guide on Proper Cover Letter Format

Plus, a great cover letter that matches your resume will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here.  Here's what it may look like:

See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key Takeaway

So again, how long does a cover letter have to be? The ideal cover letter length is:

• Word count: not more than 400 words
• Format: 3 to 4 concise paragraphs
• Page Length: Slightly longer than half a page

But it's the things that make it the right length that land the interview. Fluff should never add to cover letter length. The ideal length of a cover letter should be decided by how long it takes to prove three things: Why this job, why this company, and why you.

Want to know more about how long should a cover letter be? What frustrates you about the cover letter length? Give us a shout out in the comments! We love to help!

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This article has been reviewed by our editorial team to make sure it follows Zety's editorial guidelines . We’re committed to sharing our expertise and giving you trustworthy career advice tailored to your needs. High-quality content is what brings over 40 million readers to our site every year. But we don't stop there. Our team conducts original research to understand the job market better, and we pride ourselves on being quoted by top universities and prime media outlets from around the world.

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How Long Should a Cover Letter Be and What Should Be Included?

If you’re applying for a new job, you want to make sure your cover letter length is appropriate and contains the right cover letter sections. Learn more about cover letter word count and organization as well as tips on crafting an effective cover letter.

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. The cover letter, which you submit alongside your resume, highlights your experience and helps explain how your skills and personality will complement the company.

In addition to asking how long a cover letter should be, you might also wonder what to write. To help, we’ll provide tips on the length, offer an outline to follow, and highlight writing suggestions that can impress and inspire the hiring managers to invite you for an interview. 

Cover letter length and outline 

A cover letter should take up at least half or a whole page, but not longer. Shorter is better. 

The length is also dependent on how you plan to send the cover letter, either in the body of an email or as a separate attachment. If you send your letter in an email, it should lean more towards a half-page. If it’s an attachment, you can go a bit longer, but not longer than a page. 

Although all options are acceptable, crafting your cover letter in an email gets instant visibility as opposed to an attachment that the recipient must open after reading your email. Check for delivery directions in the job description. If there aren’t any directions, an email will be the best option for you.  

What should be included in your cover letter? Here’s an outline of the cover letter sections and the information each paragraph should include: 

Contact information and greeting

At the top of your cover letter, include your contact information, which should include your:

City and state

Phone number 

Email address

After providing these details, add the date and contact information of the recipient, although you do not need this information if you're writing your cover letter in the body of an email. 

Next, write a greeting to the hiring manager. Ideally, you’ll know the name of the hiring manager and will address the letter to that person. However, if you don’t know their name, you can simply address it to the Hiring Manager.

Paragraph 1: Introduction

The first paragraph serves as an introduction. Start by introducing yourself and stating the position you’re interested in within the company. Add a fact or two about the company as you explain how you’ll complement the business.

When you research the company, examine the company's mission statement, values, and products. Review the company’s social profiles, search for news articles about the company, and run a search on the company’s owners and head executives. Use these pieces of information to write your introduction. 

Paragraph 2: Relevant experience

The next paragraph should offer your specific qualifications that align with the job description. You should mention your most recent job, its daily responsibilities, and how it helps the current job opening if it applies. 

Briefly highlight your skills. If you can, offer statistics that support your achievements by including a statement like, “The content marketing strategies I implemented led to a 300 percent increase in visitors, a 15 percent increase in inbound leads, and a 2 percent increase in conversions." 

If your previous job was in a different field or if you’re new to the job market, use this cover letter section to explain why you’re a good fit for the position. 

Paragraph 3: Company details or more qualifications

The third paragraph can take two different forms. You can talk about the company and why you want to join such a business, or you can point out additional qualifications that make you a standout candidate. 

Speak about the company. By researching the company’s website, social presence, news, and employee LinkedIn profiles, you can synthesize a few details about the company that you appreciate. With this data, determine why it’s the role and work environment for you and include your explanation in the letter itself.

If you’re light on company-specific details, mention more of your alluring qualifications, skills, or personality traits. However, be sure it’s fresh information and not repetitive of anything mentioned in the previous paragraph. 

Paragraph 4: Closing

In the last paragraph, you should express your appreciation to the reader and offer to discuss the position more in-depth during an interview. 

Every cover letter, no matter what position you apply for, includes a call to action at the end, such as asking for a meeting or an interview. 

Add your contact information including your cell phone number, address, and professional sites like your LinkedIn profile or portfolio, all below your signature. 

What if a job description says a cover letter isn’t required?

Experts say you should always send a cover letter as it gives you a chance to introduce yourself, showcase your skills, and stand out. You might come across a job description that indicates a cover letter isn’t required and be inclined to skip it. Send one anyway. A cover letter will allow you to highlight your relevant skills, experience, and interest in the company, presenting yourself as the ideal match for the job.  

Tips for writing an effective cover letter

You want your cover letter to stand out from the other candidates who are also applying for the job. Your words should express your qualifications and show your potential for growth at the company. Follow these tips to elevate your cover letter: 

Check the job description for requirements.

Before writing your cover letter, check for requirements in the job description. 

In some cases, the job description may include instructions for your cover letter. It might have requirements such as: maintaining a specific length, naming the recipient, and the information they want to know about you. 

Know the name of the recipient.

Include the name of the hiring manager as opposed to a more general greeting like “To whom it may concern” or “Dear Hiring Manager.” Check the job description or company website for this information, or call the company to get the name of the hiring manager assigned to you. If you exhaust these options and can’t find the answer, use the general greeting.

Tailor the letter.

You’ll notice in the outline that company-specific and job posting-specific details should be included in the cover letter. As a result, every cover letter should be uniquely written for each of the jobs you're applying for and not repurposed.  

Formatting is important too.

While it’s easy to focus on word selection or questions like, “How long should a cover letter be?” formatting is a priority as well. Keep the margins standard, pick a legible and common font like Arial or Times New Roman, and font size of 11 or 12. 

Use bullet points for organization. In your second or third paragraph, when you mention your qualifications, list each of your qualities as a bullet point. 

Bullet points make your copy “skimmable,” so if a hiring manager is short on time, they might skip the paragraphs and simply read the bullets. 

Complement your resume, don’t repeat it.

Your resume offers a snapshot of your job experience, education, and skill set. Avoid repeating information from your resume in your cover letter. It should complement your resume instead of being a copy of it. Rather than duplicating the bullet points listed on your resume under your most recent job, for example, craft sentences that build on those bullets for your cover letter. 

Be concise.

A cover letter is a short document, so every word must count. Make your sentences concise and clear. When you’re finished writing, go back through your cover letter and remove any “fillers,” or phrases that don’t add value to your letter. 

Have a clear call to action.

Include a call to action at the end of your cover letter, such as a suggestion to schedule an interview to further discuss your qualifications. It’s one of the last things mentioned in your letter to encourage the hiring manager to take quick action. 

Getting started

Craft your next cover letter by taking Writing Winning Resumes and Cover Letters from the University of Maryland. To further enhance your job hunt, consider courses like Successful Interviewing or Career Planning: A Path to Employment .

Keep reading

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How long should an optimized cover letter be.

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A cover letter has potential to be too long at times.

Research suggests that 83% of hiring managers state that cover letters are important in their hiring decisions. One of the main reasons is that it helps make a distinction between candidates with similar qualifications. A cover letter is an important part of the job application process. It provides an opportunity for applicants to highlight their skills, qualifications, and enthusiasm for the job. However, determining the length of a cover letter can be challenging. In this article, you’ll learn about the appropriate length for a cover letter, and some tips on the most effective way to write one.

Is a Two-Page Cover Letter Too Long?

A two page cover letter is way too long. In the fast paced technological era we are currently living in, hiring managers do not have time to read monologues. They typically skim through cover letters to quickly gather the relevant information. A long document increases the chances of important information being overlooked, or that the hiring manager will lose interest before arriving at the key points.

Additionally, a well-written cover letter demonstrates the candidate's ability to communicate efficiently and effectively. A two page cover letter may give the impression of a lack of conciseness, and an inability to prioritize information; all of which can be a red flag about the applicant's skills in general.

However, in some instances (typically with shortlisted candidates), hiring managers may require potential employees to write a longer cover letter to gain deeper insight into their experience.

Is a 300-Word Cover Letter Too Much?

A 300-word cover letter is the right length for a cover letter. It allows candidates to provide a concise explanation of their relevant experience, skills, what they can offer the company, and why they’re applying for the job. Within three hundred words, applicants can capture the reader's attention and increase the likelihood of the hiring manager reading the entire document. It’s tempting to want to provide detailed information to make a good impression. However, as mentioned, this can have the opposite effect. Three hundred words forces the writer to prioritize their most relevant skills, qualifications, and experience.

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Best covid-19 travel insurance plans, is 200 words too short for a cover letter.

Although a 200-word cover letter does seem short, it can be ideal for some job applications. For example, for entry-level positions with a simple job description, and the candidate doesn’t have much experience. With short cover letters, the challenge lies in ensuring that the limited word count is used to present the most relevant information in a way that will highlight the applicant's qualifications, skills, and experiences most effectively.

Tips For Writing a Good Cover Letter

There is no right or wrong way to write a cover letter; however, there is certain information that you will need to include. Here are some tips on how to write a good cover letter:

● Respect Guidelines: Depending on the job, you may be asked to write a specific cover letter. This could be in relation to length, or the information to put in the letter. Read the job post carefully so you’ll know if there are any guidelines to follow.

● Introduction: Start with a professional salutation such as, ‘Dear [name of hiring manager],’ or ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ and give a brief explanation about who you are and how you found the job.

● Highlight Skills: Mention your current job title, relevant skills, qualifications, and experience. Showcase why you’re best suited for the job by focusing on the skills, qualifications, and experience that are most relevant to the position.

● Extra Information: Explain why you’re genuinely interested in the job. If you have been out of work for a while, you can explain why and mention the skills you gained while you were unemployed.

● Ending: Thank the hiring manager for reading through your application and let them know the best way to contact you. End the letter with, ‘Yours sincerely,’ if you addressed the reader by name, or simply thank them. Finally, read over the letter to ensure there are no spelling or grammar errors.

Regardless of the length of the cover letter, your main aim should be to ensure that it’s impactful and highlights your skills, qualifications, and experience in a way that presents you in the best way possible.

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How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? (+Formatting Tips)

October 16, 2019

by Alexa Drake

So you’re applying for a job, huh?

You may have a few things on your mind. Maybe you’re wondering where to begin, how to write a cover letter , or how you can stand out from the sea of resumes and cover letters that will land on a hiring manager’s desk. If your cover letter is too long, they won’t bother reading it, but if it’s too short, they’ll think you don’t care enough about the job. See how this can get tricky?

How long should a cover letter be? 

There’s a very fine line between too long and too short and in reality, employers only spend a couple of seconds reading each cover letter. But that doesn’t mean you can phone it in when writing one. Cover letters play a crucial role in the job application process. You should almost always be sending a cover letter along with your resume unless the listing states otherwise.

So, how long should a cover letter be? 

Ideal cover letter length 

A cover letter should be less than one full page but longer than half a page. A rough word count estimation is about 250-400 or three paragraphs, respectively.  

Your cover letter should be short and concise, only containing the information relevant to the job listing. Include a summary of responsibilities from your last position and a brief mention of skills you possess that will help you succeed in the new role. Your cover letter isn’t a letter, it’s a short introduction. It’s your way to hook the hiring manager and get them interested in you. In essence, it’s a marketing piece you’re using to sell yourself as a professional.

Now that we have the length of the cover letter down, we should talk about why they’re important in the first place.

Why include a cover letter?

A Jobvite study reports that 26% of recruiters consider cover letters important in their hiring decisions while a Robert Half study states that 90% of executives consider them important to be able to evaluate candidates properly. 

In any case, you should be giving as much attention to your cover letter as you do your resume. Most of the time, hiring managers make the decision if they’re going to look at your resume or not based on the look and contents of your cover letter, so take some time and format it well.

Proper cover letter structure

Your cover letter should roughly stick to the following format and include these sections:

Cover letter formatting

Formatting is everything. It’s the first thing anyone will see when they look at your resume or cover letter. You’ll want to select a simple font that is legible and easy to read such as Helvetica, Arial, Calibri, Times New Roman, or Roboto. Make sure no one will have to squint their eyes to read it and make it 12 point font.

A few extra tips! When it comes to margins, they should be 1-inch all around with all of your text left-aligned. You’ll also want to leave an empty space between your greeting and the first paragraph, between each paragraph, and between the last paragraph and the sign-off so that your letter is easy to read.

Just make sure the cover letter isn’t cluttered and has adequate white space for the sake of the reader’s eyes. 

Cover letter tips

We’ve compiled a short list of tips to keep in mind as you write your cover letter. 

Tip #1: Keep it short and sweet

Although the best place to show off your personality, experiences, and skill sets, it’s not a place to be long winded. As we went over earlier, hiring managers sit and sift through dozens or even hundreds of applications a day. If they see your cover letter alone is two pages, they’ll throw it in the “No” pile almost immediately.

Don’t waste their time. Highlight the skills and qualifications that make you the perfect fit for the job, express your passion for the industry, and keep it at that. 

Tip #2: Focus on the right stuff

If you’re applying for jobs as soon as you graduate, steer clear of including things like GPA and professor recommendations, unless the listing requests it. To make better use of your time, flesh out the projects you directly worked on, your responsibilities, and the achievements you have that make you a great candidate.

If you’re already in the workforce, select the accomplishments and experiences you’ve had that make sense for the application. For example, say you’re applying for an HR manager role. You may choose to talk about your previous role where you managed an office of 20 people and speak on how you did it.

Tip #3: Highlight only relevant information

Keep on topic and know your audience. If you’re applying for a business development representative position, you’re not going to mention your time as a bartender. List only relevant work experience when customizing your cover letter for each job listing. 

Think of how you can highlight yourself as someone who can solve the company’s current struggles or challenges. The better you explain why you’re the applicant that will make a positive change, the better the hiring manager will see the value you can bring to the team.

All the bases are covered

Although there’s a large focus on how long a cover letter can be, don’t forget to focus on how concise one should be.

The key takeaways of this article are:

• Keep the cover letter less than a full page, longer than half a page.
• Formatting is everything and three paragraphs (250-400 words) should be enough room to express why you’re a strong candidate.
• Relevant information only!

Write for the hiring manager, be passionate, and showcase your best self.

Want to learn more? Get yourself job-ready and learn how to write a resume the right way.

Alexa is a former content associate at G2. Born and raised in Chicago, she went to Columbia College Chicago and entered the world of all things event marketing and social media. In her free time, she likes being outside with her dog, creating playlists, and dabbling in Illustrator. (she/her/hers)

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How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

How long should a cover letter be? A cover letter should be no longer than one page and no less than half a page. It should be divided into four paragraphs. This length shows hiring managers why you’re right for the job while respecting their time.

Most applications for tech jobs (and any other job) will request that you write a cover letter as part of the application process. The purpose of this letter is to share information about your background and what makes you suitable for the position.

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If you’re a job seeker, you may be asking yourself the question: how long should a cover letter be? If it’s too short, you might look like someone who is not passionate about the job. On the other hand, if it’s too long, an employer may gloss over important details.

We’re going to discuss how long a cover letter should be, and explore a few factors you should consider when writing one as you apply for a job.

Why Do I Need a Cover Letter?

While cover letters are often optional, many employers require that you submit a cover letter for the job. But even if submitting a cover letter is not a requirement, it is still a useful document to attach to your job application.

Cover letters, unlike letters of interest , allow you to explore why you would be a good fit for a job in more depth. And they give you the ability to share more information about yourself alongside your resume and application. 

The ideal cover letter length is between half a page and one page. But this depends on the content you want to include. Your cover letter should include no more than four paragraphs of writing aside from the address and contact information. But it could be even shorter if you are writing an email.

To ensure you use the right cover letter format , here’s a list of six factors that you should consider when writing your letter:

1. Focus on your relevant skills

It can be tempting to talk about all the experiences you have had and how they shaped you as a worker. You could talk about all the semesters you spent abroad or the internships you took in college.

But a cover letter should be short. You should focus only on your relevant skills and background. So, if you have some experience that relates directly to a position, then you should mention it.

However, you should make sure that you don’t add in too much filler content. This kind of content does not make it clear to the employer why you are the right candidate for a position.

2. Use no more than four paragraphs

As we discussed earlier, your cover letter should be between half a page and one full page long. This will only give you room for about four paragraphs. So, when you are writing your cover letter, you should aim to write three or four paragraphs which are easy to read.

For instance, your first paragraph can be an introduction to your background and a description of the position for which you are applying. Your next two paragraphs could focus on experiences that qualify you for a position. Then, your final paragraph could act as a closing statement for your letter.

3. Do not use a word count

One way that people measure the length of content is by using word counts. Indeed, “half a page” is not a very clear measure of how long a cover letter should be.

However, if you’re asking yourself “How many words should a cover letter be?” you can stop right there. Unless there is a word count imposed by the employer, you don’t need to worry about using a specific word count. Your cover letter may end up between 300 and 400 words. That’s about how much you can fit on a properly-styled page of paper. But you can use fewer words if you want.

4. Leave some information to be revealed later

The cover letter is designed to help you pitch yourself to an employer. It is not a resume, which lists all of your accomplishments. Nor is it a job application. You have control over exactly how you structure your letter and what you include.

In your cover letter, you should try to leave some information that you can mention later. You should mention your highlight accomplishments that are relevant to the job. Even if you have a lot of impressive accomplishments, you don’t have to fit them all into your cover letter.

If you advance to a job interview , you’ll delve into your experience in more depth. The cover letter is your chance to give an employer a taste of your expertise and skills. It’s not the full story of your work history.

5. Ask for a review

If your cover letter is still long and you’re not sure what to remove, then you may want to ask someone for a second opinion.

They’ll be able to give you specific and actionable feedback on how you can improve. They may even notice things you would have missed. It’s often difficult to find problems in your own writing.

6. Use clear and concise sentences

One way to ensure your cover letter remains brief is to use short sentences that communicate only the information that you need to share.

For instance, if you are describing your college internship, simply mention the name of the organization and one thing you learned. This information could be broken down into two or three different sentences. This might be its own paragraph.

Toward the end of each paragraph, you should write a concluding sentence that links the main point you are making back to you. This will ensure you retain the attention of your reader.

How to Format a Cover Letter

While the length of your cover letter is important, so is making sure that you include all the necessary information.

Here are the main points that you should include in your letter:

• Heading 
• Contact information (phone number, email address, mailing address)
• Introductory paragraph
• Main body (your qualifications, skills, educational history)
• Closing paragraph

Also, your cover letter should use a simple and readable font and font size. You may want to use Times New Roman with a font size of 12, which is easy to read.

Your cover letter should also be surrounded by a one-inch margin. Don’t change the margins to fit in more text. This makes your cover letter cluttered and hard to read. There should also be space between paragraphs. White space on your cover letter is not a bad thing. The less text on the page, the easier it will be to read your letter.

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Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

Cover letters are an important part of the job application process, and a strong candidate has a strong cover letter.

When you are writing your cover letter, focus on the skills and experiences that are relevant to the position for which you are applying. Use short sentences and ignore the voice telling you to include a list of every impressive accomplishment.

By following the guidance in this article, you should have no trouble writing a cover letter that is neither too short nor too long. Writing a good and clear cover letter can make the difference between getting an interview and being rejected.

About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication .

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How Long Should a Cover Letter Be in 2024?

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 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 . 

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. 

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. 

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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How Long Should A Cover Letter Be?

Your cover letter can make or break your chances of getting eyes on your resume and being considered for an interview. That’s why the right length of said cover letter is so important.

Hiring managers have seen it all when it comes to cover letters and can easily size you up just by looking at yours. For instance, if the cover letter is too short, the hiring manager thinks you didn’t put much effort into writing it. To them, that means you’re not that interested in the job or you’re lazy.

But an overly-long cover letter won’t win you any points, either. It shows you’re not organized and don’t know how to be concise. Besides, a hiring manager doesn’t have time to read a long cover letter.

What Makes a Cover Letter Too Long?

A two-page cover letter is too long. That’s because it contradicts a cover letter’s purpose: to briefly explain why you would be the ideal fit for the position.

How about a cover letter that’s a full-page long? Nope. That’s still too long because your pitch for the job still isn’t brief. Plus, a cover letter that takes up an entire page tells the hiring manager that there might be a second page.

What is the Right Cover Letter Length?

To ensure your cover letter is the right length to catch that hiring manager’s eye, it needs to take around 75 percent of the entire page. The rest of the document should contain white space. This creates a nice balance that’s visually pleasant to look at.

The body of your cover letter should be 250-300 words, and consiste of of three to four paragraphs, each of which the hiring manager can read in about 10 seconds. You need to make sure these paragraphs contain strong sentences that express your interest in the position while highlighting your skills that make you an ideal fit for the job. If you're using a word processor like Google Docs or Microsoft Word you can easily get the word count using their built in tools.

What Should an Ideal Cover Letter Contain?

• Address: At the top left-hand corner of the page, you should provide your name, physical address, phone number, and email address. This gives the hiring manager all the information he or she needs to contact you for an interview. After double spacing, your cover letter should contain the name of the person you are contacting. You may need to do some digging on the company website to find the hiring manager’s name and actual position. That should be followed by the company name. Then, because you’re most likely sending by email, make sure the address portion of the letter contains the hiring manager’s email address.
• Date: After the address, double space and then type the date.
• Greeting: Double space again and then write the greeting. Make sure to address the hiring manager and never write “To whom it may concern.” This is another reason for doing that previously mentioned research. A personal greeting shows both warmth and that you’re willing to go the extra mile – both of which hiring managers are looking for.
• First paragraph: The first paragraph should explain why you are writing, as well as a strong sentence explaining why you would be a great fit for the job.
• Second paragraph: Use this paragraph to highlight your qualifications by summing up your experience while touching on skills you used that are relevant to the position you’re applying for.
• Third paragraph: If you have volunteer experience that is relevant to this position, use this paragraph to highlight it. It shows your passion for the work and your community involvement.
• Fourth paragraph: If you don’t have relevant volunteer experience, this should instead be your third paragraph. Regardless, use this closing paragraph to thank the hiring manager for considering you and to express your interest in further discussing the position.
• Signature: As with any formal letter, sign your cover letter to drive home your professionalism.

By keeping these tips in mind, you’re one step closer to creating a strong cover letter with just the right word count , and significantly improving your chances of having the hiring manager put you in the category of candidates worth giving more consideration to—a great first step.When you apply for a job, you want your resume to stand out. For it to do that, you need to first grab the hiring manager’s attention. After all, your application package is one of possibly hundreds to cross his or her desk. But that’s where your cover letter comes in.

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How long should a cover letter be?

Even before a hiring manager reads your CV, they review your cover letter to get a sneak peek into who you are and if you’re a good fit for the job.

But how long should it be?

In this article, you’ll learn how long your cover letter should be, what to include, plus three examples that’ll have recruiters excited to read your CV and learn more about you.

CV templates 

Your cover letter needs to be around 3 – 6 sentences long and allow a person to read it fully in under 30 seconds.

Why? Well, there are very short attention spans in the world of recruitment.

Hiring managers receive an average of 500 applications for every job being advertised, so they don’t have much time to read each one.

For this, reason your cover letter needs to be brief and get to the point quickly.

Essentially, you must write enough to persuade them to open your CV , but not so much that it can’t be read in a few seconds.

Example of the perfect cover letter length

Where to write your cover letter

In terms of writing your cover letter , here’s the golden rule: Always write it straight into the body of your email or message.

Well, you want to make the right initial impression on a recruiter or hiring manager, don’t you? If your cover letter is directly there in an email, it’s immediately visible to employers and recruiters as soon as they open your application.

They don’t have to click on attachments or wait ages for documents to load. This saves them time and ensures they don’t neglect your application.

So don’t forget to incorporate your cover letter in the body of your application message like this:

If you’re emailing it, always use an attention-grabbing subject line that relates your skills to the position you’re interested in.

For example, use something along the lines of “Developer with 7 Years of Web App Experience.”

You need to make that immediate connection with the person handling the application.

Should you always write a cover letter?

Whenever you apply for a job, it’s essential to include a cover letter alongside your CV .

“But, why?” we hear you cry.

Because, without a cover letter, recruiters might not even open your CV.

You can think of it as your personal sales pitch that gets your foot in the door of an organisation.

What’s more, it says you care enough about the position to put in that extra effort.

It builds a rapport and encourages recruiters and hiring managers to open your CV.

So, don’t skip it – a well-written cover letter can open doors and make a true difference in your job search .

What to include in a cover letter

Your cover letter must entice hiring managers and recruiters.

Here’s what you must include in your cover letter.

Address the hiring manager or recruiter

Kick off your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager or recruiter of the job – this helps develop a relationship right from the get-go.

But don’t sound too formal or official.

Try something like, “Hi,”, “Hi [Insert recruiter’s name], or “Hi, [Insert department/team name.”

If you don’t know their name, check the company’s website or their LinkedIn profiles – this shows you’ve done your research.

Don’t panic if you have no luck finding their name. Just start your cover letter with “Hi” – this is perfectly okay in this situation.

Include a warm greeting

When writing your cover letter, insert a friendly greeting. This shows you can communicate well and provides a personal touch.

However, avoid sounding excessively informal or super stiff. Get the balance just right and use a friendly yet professional tone.

For example, begin with a simple, “I hope you’re well.”

Specify the position you’re applying for

Now you’ve warmed up with an amicable opening, get straight to it.

Tell the recruiter or hiring manager precisely which position you’re applying for.

Several recruiters and hiring managers handle multiple vacancies, so it’s imperative to be as clear as you can.

Show your suitability for the position

The meaty part of your cover letter tells them why you’re the best candidate for the role. This is what gets the recruiter’s attention and has them delving into your CV.

Peruse the job descriptions you’re applying to and look for the most important skills and qualifications the recruiter is asking for.

Then, when you write your cover letter, make your applicable skills the main focus.

Let them know why you’re the best fit for the position and how your skills are directly relevant to the job.

When you do this, recruiters will feel more confident that you’re the right applicant for the role.

Here are some examples:

• Marketing – “My expertise in digital marketing has resulted in a 30% boost in online conversions for my previous company.”
• Manufacturing – “My work as a Production Manager at Scott’s Manufacturing saw a 33% reduction in production costs and a 40% increase in output.”
• Finance – “I achieved an average annual return of 15% on a diverse portfolio of investments. My strategic planning optimised financial resources and cut operational costs by 30%.”

Conclude and discuss availability

To finish off, go for a warm closing such as “Kind regards” or “Regards.” Then provide a professional signature with your essential contact details.

This offers recruiters a variety of methods to get in contact with you. What’s more, it looks incredibly professional and shows you understand how to communicate in the workplace .

In your professional signature, you’ll need to include:

• Your full name – Your first name and surname.
• Your phone number – State the phone number you use most, such as your mobile.
• Your professional email address – Include a professional email address like [email protected]. But don’t mention unprofessional ones like [email protected] – this doesn’t make you look very professional.

Optionally, feel free to mention:

• Your professional title – For example, Finance Manager or Content Writer.
• Your professional profile – Mention your professional social network, such as LinkedIn.

Here’s an example of a professional signature:

The worst cover letter mistakes

Some of the worst cover letter mistakes you can make include:

• Using separate document attachments – This slows down the process quite drastically. Even worse, the recruiter probably won’t even open it. Write your cover letter in the body of your email or within the job site messaging system so hiring managers can read it straight away.
• Heading with your address – This wastes loads of precious space at the top. This section is better used to engage the reader’s attention and demonstrate your enthusiasm and qualifications for the position.
• Writing an entire side of A4 – Your cover letter must be a brief intro and overview of how suitable you are for the position. Don’t write too much as you’ll probably bore the recruiter and they may skip past your application.
• Copying and pasting – While copying and pasting your cover letter into every application may sound tempting, you risk missing some of the critical requirements for each job. You likely won’t make as good an impression as you could have.
• Using “Dear Sir or Madam” – This salutation might have worked brilliantly in Edwardian times, but it’s old-fashioned and soulless these days. Just say “Hi” – this is a much friendlier and more professional way to kick off your cover letter nowadays.

Example cover letters

These three cover letter examples from a range of industries should give you some good inspiration for how long yours should be as well as help you write your own.

Customer service cover letter

In this customer service cover letter , the candidate gives a rundown of how many years they have been in the field and highlights key customer service skills, such as order taking, call handling, and complaint resolution.

This intro sets the stage for the reader, gauging their interest and making them want to delve into the CV.

Finance cover letter

If you’re in the finance sector, it’s vital to accentuate your specific areas of experience, which companies you’ve worked for, and the certain positions you’ve taken on.

Doing so gives hiring managers and recruiters a clearer idea of your capabilities.

If you’ve tailored it to the job you’re interested in, it is almost like giving them a glimpse of your CV so they’re excited to learn more.

Graduate cover letter

As a graduate , you won’t have a lot of work experience yet. So, your cover letter may need to be slightly longer. It’s a way to make up for the lack of employment history and prove your strengths.

This applicant, for example, talks in detail about their education , qualifications, and activities relating to the job they’re applying for.

Essentially, you need to convey why you’re the right pick for the position. So, don’t be afraid to let loose those details!

You can also copy-and-paste one of our proven cover letter templates .

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How Long Should a Cover Letter be in 2024? (For Any Job)

I had an interview yesterday and the first thing they said on the phone was: “Wow! I love your cover letter.” Patrick I love the variety of templates. Good job guys, keep up the good work! Dylan  My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful! George

1. The Ideal Cover Letter Length

Should  a cover letter be one page, can a cover letter be two pages, how many words should a cover letter be, 2. sample one-page cover letter, 3. how to get the format and length of a cover letter right, format your cover letter properly, write a great introduction, compose two powerful main-body paragraphs, end your cover letter with a call to action, about resumelab’s editorial approach, was it interesting here are similar articles.

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Is a Cover Letter Necessary in 2024?

Published: April 03, 2024

Writing a cover letter can be daunting.

I’ll never forget my college career coach, who made writing a cover letter look easy. Even with her tips, I’ve always found it incredibly difficult to talk about myself and hype up my accomplishments.

While it acts as a letter of introduction, I’ve wondered if a cover letter is necessary in 2024. To find out, I spoke with two recruiters and gained insights on how to write the best cover letter for any job application.

How important is a cover letter?

Is a cover letter necessary, when to skip a cover letter, when to include a cover letter, tips for writing a cover letter, what if the cover letter is optional.

Cover letters are short letters of introduction that you include with job applications.

Typically, they are your chance to go into deeper details about your accomplishments that you might not have highlighted or had room to mention on your resume.

Tiffany Hall, a professional resume writer and founder of Resume911 , says cover letters are an important part of the job application process.

Hall says, “Cover letters can be very important. It’s supposed to sell why you, of all applicants, should get the job. The issue is that applicants use them to regurgitate what’s on their resume, and that’s not what it’s for. It should speak to what isn’t easily explained with your resume.”

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For example, if your resume says you’re skilled at building web pages, your cover letter is a great place to name-drop companies that you’ve worked for to create their websites.

Matthew Muehleisen, a corporate recruiter , thinks a cover letter is also a great place to show you’ve done your homework and researched a company.

Muehleisen says, “It can be what sets you apart from other candidates and applicants and is a good opportunity to show that you’ve done research on the position and company to further showcase your interest in the role.”

Knowing the importance of a cover letter still begs the question: Is a cover letter necessary in 2024?

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While a cover letter can help demonstrate your knowledge of the company you’re applying to and highlight more of your achievements, both Hall and Muehleisen agree that a cover letter isn’t entirely necessary.

Muehleisen says, “Unless it’s a requirement of the application, I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to include a cover letter. There are some roles (usually in content creation and marketing) that will ask for a cover letter as a form of a writing sample. In these instances, make sure your letter is polished and focused.”

If Hall had her way, she would eliminate the cover letter entirely, focus more on the resume, and ask for a link to an applicant’s LinkedIn profile.

According to Hall, “Most cover letters either repeat the resume or they speak to why the applicant isn’t a good fit. Neither is the purpose of a cover letter.”

Nevertheless, 74% of hiring managers still prefer applications to include a cover letter. So, it is definitely worth considering including one — even if the application says it’s optional.

If you’re looking for a new role, writing a cover letter can be time-consuming — especially if you take the time to personalize every letter you send to a hiring manager.

Although a cover letter does serve a legitimate purpose, and 83% of hiring managers read it, there are a few situations where you shouldn’t include a cover letter. Let’s take a look at those scenarios.

If You Only Have a Template of a Cover Letter

I get it. Writing an effective cover letter takes a significant amount of time.

But consider not sending one if you only have time to plug your information into a cover letter template without personalizing it before hitting submit on an application.

Don’t get me wrong. A cover letter template is a great starting point to write your cover letter. Templates often remind you to include pertinent information like the hiring manager’s title, name, and your contact information.

However, if you don’t take the time to edit the body of the cover letter and personalize it with research and your relevant experience, you risk sending the same letter as another candidate.

And considering that 48% of hiring managers spend anywhere from 30 seconds to two full minutes reading each cover letter, the chances are high that your hiring manager can spot a form letter a mile away.

Don’t send it if you don’t have the time to personalize a cover letter.

If Your Cover Letter Is Full of Critique

A cover letter is meant to explain why you’re the best candidate for the open position. However, a cover letter is not a place for you to share your ideas of how the company can improve.

Sure, every company likely has areas of improvement, and the job you’re applying for might be the role that gets a say in that, but a list of improvements might read as a critique.

You don’t want to potentially offend a hiring manager before you even get an interview. A bad cover letter can hurt a strong candidate, according to 33% of hiring managers .

Before you submit your cover letter, read through it several times to make sure it’s not a critique. If it does sound like a critique, throw it out.

If It’s Not Required

There are other instances where you shouldn’t send a cover letter. For example, if the application’s instructions specifically state that you do not need to submit a cover letter for consideration for the job.

In fact, sending a cover letter anyway can signal to the hiring manager that you don’t follow instructions. Not following instructions is also a great way to land your application in the trash bin.

The bottom line is this: If the application specifically states not to send a cover letter, don’t send it.

Of hiring managers, 74% prefer to see job applications with a cover letter apart from the resume. Knowing this, if you have the time to include a cover letter with your job application, don’t skip it.

Here are three instances when you should send a cover letter with your application.

Send a cover letter if you’re very interested in the role.

Think of your cover letter as your time to shine. Use it as a place to highlight your experiences and the qualifications that make you a great fit for the position.

Hall says, “If you can speak to why you’re a good candidate without copying your resume in paragraph form, include a cover letter.”

In other words, don’t use bullet points in your cover letter to describe your previous employment history.

Instead, talk about what you learned on the job and how your skills will help you excel in the role you’re applying for.

Send a cover letter when there’s a gap in your resume or you’re transitioning industries.

If you’re looking to transition to another industry, you should definitely include a cover letter with your application.

Speaking from personal experience, if I had only submitted a resume to my school district when I applied to be a Spanish teacher, the hiring manager would have just seen my experience in Public Health and would not have known about my skills and success in tutoring students in Spanish.

Muehleisen puts it this way, “If you’re looking to transition to a new industry or if there is a position and company you’re really excited about pursuing as an opportunity, these are the best instances to include a cover letter so that you can possibly give yourself an advantage.”

A cover letter can also help explain any gaps in your resume — especially if the gap in your employment history is beneficial to the role you’re applying for.

For example, maybe you volunteered in South America, and the role you’re applying for is for a position in Global Operations.

It never hurts to include positive, pertinent information in your cover letter.

Send a cover letter when it’s required.

The most obvious time to include a cover letter with your application is when it is required. Just like not including a cover letter when it’s not required, it shows you can follow directions.

Include a cover letter when the application asks you to submit one, which shows you can follow directions.

Plus, if the application asks for a cover letter, you can bet the hiring manager will look for it. If no cover letter is included, well, you’re sabotaging your chances of getting an interview.

Only 13% of hiring managers will consider giving a candidate an interview if they don’t attach a required cover letter to an application.

Writing a cover letter is not as painful as it sounds. There are great templates you can use as a starting point for your cover letter.

The trick with a template, though, is to make sure you always personalize the letter to your own experiences and qualifications.

Here are five expert tips to write a winning cover letter.

1. Tailor your cover letter to the job description.

When writing a cover letter, especially if you use a cover letter template, you should tailor the letter to match the job description and meet the requirements of the application.

For example, if the application asks you to attach a short cover letter, keep it brief. Your best bet is one to two short paragraphs detailing why you’re a great fit for the position.

You’ll also want to reference keywords from the job description in your cover letter. Many recruiters use applicant tracking systems that scan application packets for the best fit.

Often, hiring managers review the applications that match the keywords first.

Now, that doesn’t mean to stuff your cover letter with keywords. Instead, use them in a natural way as you discuss your qualifications.

2. Be personable with your greeting.

You might have seen the advice telling you to use “To Whom It May Concern” instead of the hiring manager’s name. This is good advice, but only if you do not know the hiring manager.

Before resorting to a generic greeting to start your cover letter, take the time to look on the company’s website and LinkedIn to find out who makes hiring decisions.

If you have contacts in your network who are familiar with the company, ask them. Taking the time to research the hiring manager and the company shows you care about the details — a quality many hiring managers look for in a candidate!

If you’re still unsure after researching the company, consider using “Dear Sir or Madam” as your greeting.

3. Be yourself.

While a cover letter is a formal introduction of yourself to a potential employer, it doesn’t need to be lacking in personality. Hall suggests sprinkling your personality in your cover letter to spark connections with the hiring manager.

Hall says, “Be your best professional self. I’m a foodie and will include references to food on my LinkedIn, and I’ve done it in a cover letter. I’ve had managers reference them, and we had a chuckle. I am also very clear about aligning myself with companies whose mission and goals I respect and can contribute to. I make sure to speak to that in the cover letter.”

Take Hall’s advice. Showcasing your vibrant personality in your cover letter can help break the ice in your interview!

4. Proofread your cover letter.

Once you’ve written your cover letter and before you hit “send,” double-check that it is free from spelling and grammar errors and that the company you referenced is the company you are applying to.

Muehleisen says skipping proofreading your cover letter is a big mistake — and it could cost you the job!

Muehleisen says, “Make sure that you are proofreading prior to sending. If the cover letter feels like it is a simple cut/paste or if the job title and company name are incorrect, it may do more harm than good. So, be sure that what you’re sending is pertinent.”

5. Be cautious of AI.

AI tools, like ChatGPT or Claude, are great for helping draft content. You might be tempted to ask generative AI to write your cover letter for you. However, both Hall and Muehleisen say to proceed with caution when it comes to AI.

Hall says, “AI is coming along in amazing ways, so it may come as a surprise that my best tip didn’t include AI. I tell my clients when they’re stuck to look to their peers. You can search people by job title on LinkedIn. See how they describe themselves and pull from there. Or, hire a resume writer or career strategist to help you.”

Muehleisen agrees with her. He says, “I would hesitate to use a tool or service for a cover letter as the point should be to show your authenticity. If you are going to use AI for assistance, make sure to put your own words in as well.”

However, when you write your cover letter, whether using a template or generative AI, personalizing it is key to standing out from the competition.

If the job description says a cover letter is optional, should you send one, or can you get by without it?

That can be tricky, considering 72% of recruiters still expect a cover, even if it’s optional.

According to Muehleisen, sending a cover letter is not a bad idea. He says, “I’ve never heard of a cover letter hurting an applicant’s chances; just make sure the one you’re including is specific to the job description and posting.”

Check out these cover letter examples for more inspiration.

Experiment With Your Cover Letters

Writing a cover letter is a breeze once you get the hang of it. With today’s challenging job market, sending a cover letter with your application can make a difference in whether you get called for an interview.

I can’t make promises that your cover letter will dazzle hiring managers each time, but for the right position for you, it will.

Remember Hall and Muehleisen’s advice when you craft your cover letter. Personalization is key to success!

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