How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

Cover letters should range from a half-page to one full page. Your cover letter should never exceed one page in length. 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?

Highlight Only Relevant Experiences

Highlight your qualifications and any relevant stories. It’s important to be specific, and not regurgitate the content on your resume. Furthermore, 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.

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.

Break Your Cover Letter into Sections

It’s important to keep the sentences short so the reader can quickly navigate your cover letter. Moreover, An effective cover letter contains three to four paragraphs.

Paragraph #1: Your Interest in the Company

This can sway the hiring manager's decision by showing passion and loyalty to the company. Furthermore, the third paragraph, if you choose to include it, can speak to what drew you to apply to the specific company.

Paragraph #2: 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.

Paragraph #3: The Closing

The final paragraph should reiterate your interest in the position. Furthermore, it’s important to have a call-to-action so the reader knows what to do next. Always include detailed contact information.

Paragraph #4: Your Qualifications

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. Moreover, the second paragraph should highlight relevant stories or stats that impress your qualifications.