How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? (With Tips)

The ideal length for a cover letter is between a full page and a half page. Cover letters of this length are usually brief, yet contain enough information for the employer to decide about their candidacy.

There’s no standard, one-size-fits-all guideline concerning the length of cover letters. However, as with resumes, it’s advisable to keep things concise. The reason is simple: recruiters and HR managers have to sift through dozens of applications and might be tempted to skip yours if it’s too long.

Avoid extremes when writing your cover letter. For example, avoid writing quarter-page or two-page cover letters. If your cover letter is too short, the recruiter may take it as a sign of lack of diligence. When it’s too long, you may appear unable to get your thoughts across concisely.

The ideal cover letter should typically be between 250 and 400 words. This way, you can keep the letter brief and informative at the same time. However, employers have different requirements, so it’s difficult to recommend a standard word count for cover letters. Before you write your cover letter, check to see if the company in question specifies a word count for the cover letter. In such situations, endeavor to write within the required word count.

While writing your cover letter, try not to focus on maintaining a certain word count instead of including important information. Having a word count in your head while writing may stifle creativity. Instead, write freely and then edit for conciseness later. This can save you time and ensure you don’t waste time during your first draft focusing on meeting the word count.

If your cover letter has the ideal length but has incorrect formatting, it can lose its effectiveness. Therefore, pay attention to proper formatting when you write your cover letter. Here are sections to include when formatting your cover letter:

Heading

The heading should include your name, address, and contact information. You may choose to put your online profile link in your heading to streamline contact information.

Salutation

In your salutation, address the cover letter to a specific individual. Writing ‘To Whom it May Concern,’ on a cover letter is common, but try to avoid using it to give your letter a more personal touch. If you can’t find the person’s name online, ask the HR department. Not only does this show thoughtfulness, but it also adds a personal touch to your cover letter and makes it more attention grabbing.

Introduction

The introduction should be a clear statement that demonstrates the purpose of the letter to a reader. You should include the name of the position you’re applying for in the introduction so that hiring managers immediately know what skills and experiences they should look for.

You can also show off your knowledge of the company and emphasize your interest in the job with the introductory paragraph. For example, your first paragraph may go like this:

I wish to apply to the position of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Director with Jane Energy Co. I have observed your dedication to giving back to society and would love to coordinate such efforts for greater impact.

Skills and qualifications

In the second paragraph, highlight your skills and qualifications and show why the employer should hire you. Also, list past achievements to give the employer a glimpse of what you can give them.

Be careful not to go overboard when listing your skills and achievements—remember your cover letter must be concise. Ideally, outline your most important skills relevant to the position.

The same applies to achievements: list only those that relate to the job you’re applying for to increase your chances of getting the role. You can even use a single, but comprehensive, achievement to exemplify your work history. Make sure to provide context for when listing an achievement and clearly state your role in it.

Closing paragraph

The closing paragraph should re-emphasize your interest in the job and appreciate the recruiter for reading your application. Make sure to include a call-to-action (CTA) in the closing paragraph, as they can increase your chances of getting a response. This is a good place to include your contact information to make contacting you easier.

Signature

The nature of your signature and information to include in it depends on the means you want to use to send your cover letter. When sending a hard copy cover letter, your signature should contain your name and handwritten signature. If you’re sending a digital copy of the letter via e-mail, add a scanned image of your signature after the close.

If you’re emailing the cover letter, a handwritten signature is unnecessary. Just write out your full name after the close to complete the signature.

You should try to keep the contact information in your signature to the bare essentials. One template for a signature could look like this:

Best regards,

[Name]

[Email address]

[Phone number]

Alternatively, you can also choose to include your physical address under your signature:

Sincerely,

[Name]

[Street]

[City, State, Zip Code]

[Email address]

[Phone number]