How Long Should a Cover Letter Be in 2017: A Comprehensive Guide

In the dynamic landscape of job applications, crafting an effective cover letter is crucial. One
common dilemma job seekers face is determining the ideal length for their cover letters. As of 2017,
striking the right balance between conciseness and detail is key to capturing the attention of
prospective employers.

The Standard Length:

The general consensus among career experts in 2017 is that a cover letter should typically range from
250 to 400 words. This length allows applicants to convey their qualifications and interest without
overwhelming hiring managers with excessive information.

Conciseness is Key:
In a competitive job market, brevity is essential. A concise cover letter not only respects the reader's
time but also showcases the applicant's ability to communicate effectively. Aim for a letter that is
clear, focused, and to the point.

Structure Matters:
Dividing your cover letter into three main sections—introduction, body, and conclusion—provides a
structured format. In the introduction, briefly mention the position you're applying for and express
your enthusiasm. The body should highlight key experiences and skills relevant to the job. Conclude
with a strong closing statement that invites further consideration.

Tailoring for Each Application:

While adhering to the standard length, customization for each job application is essential.
Highlighting specific qualifications that align with the job requirements demonstrates genuine interest
and increases the chances of standing out among other applicants.

The Role of Technology:

In 2017, many companies were adopting Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to streamline the hiring
process. To ensure your cover letter passes through these systems successfully, keep it free of complex
formatting and focus on relevant keywords.

Exception to the Rule:

Certain industries or positions may require more detailed cover letters. For roles in academia,
research, or senior-level positions, extending the length to one page may be acceptable. Always
check job listings or company guidelines for any specific instructions regarding cover letter length.

Closing Thoughts:
While there is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of cover letter length in 2017, following
these guidelines can help you strike the right balance. Remember that the goal is to make a strong
and memorable impression, showcasing your qualifications and enthusiasm for the position.
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Let’s look at a standard cover letter template Your contact details (full name, address, email and
phone number) Reader’s details (Company name, reader’s full name, address, email and phone
number) Formal greeting (3-5 words). On the other hand, writing a long, overcomplicated letter with
many fancy-sounding words might have a reverse effect than expected, especially when it feels
forced. Use a suitable tone Maintain a professional and courteous language throughout your cover
letter. This was disappointing, as I took great pleasure in eating away at your market share (the net
gain for my previous employer was 6%), but after an acrimonious exit and on finishing my gardening
leave, I am keen to stay in garden furniture and feel that my three years of direct experience will
prove useful. If they see your cover letter alone is two pages, they’ll throw it in the “No” pile almost
immediately. Mention the position you’re applying for and how you learned about the opening. How
many words should a cover letter be Determining the ideal word count for your cover letter is super
important in maintaining a recruiter's interest while providing enough information to make a
compelling case for your candidacy. Performance and personalization Performance and
Personalization cookies allow us to provide you an individualized experience while using our Site.
While you might be tempted to submit your application without one, that would be a big mistake.
Having been a rep for two gardening manufacturers previously, I understand the investment that this
requires. Contact us. Sitemap Home Blog Grammar FAQ Latest Post How to Write Essay Titles and
Headers ? Read more. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss how my extensive
experiences align with XYZ Enterprises’ vision and goals in more detail. Your cover letter isn’t a
letter, it’s a short introduction. It was a perfect introduction to selling a high-value seasonal product
and many conferences and events later, I had perfected my sales pitch. 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. First paragraph is a quick introduction (50-60 words). Seamlessly bridge from past to
future accomplishments, giving a sense of. Jagoda Obszarska SEO Content Writer, Translator
Linkedin Email Jagoda Obszarska is a certified copywriter, Polish language translator and career
advice expert. You should almost always be sending a cover letter along with your resume unless the
listing states otherwise. 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. Following
specific requirements from job postings is essential. If word bloat is the real problem, then further
edits are the only slimming solution. If you know the hiring professional name, you sign your letter
off with: Yours sincerely, Your name And if you don’t and you used more generic greeting, like Dear
Hiring Team, you will finish your letter off with: Yours faithfully, Your name However, this range is
not set in stone, and there are exceptions depending on the specific circumstances. The date: Always
include the date on your cover letter that way, you and the hiring manager can keep track of when
you applied. Born and raised in Niagara Falls, Ontario, Debbie moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba as a
young adult, settling into that vibrant prairie hub for a life and career chapter spanning four decades.
And so you should. But the “why you need me” hook is what they will find irresistible. With my
recent degree in Marketing and Communication from Queen Mary’s University, I am eager to bring
my knowledge and expertise in market research and social media marketing to contribute to your
team’s continued success. As such, it's essential to keep your cover letter concise. Personalise your
content To ensure your cover letter is within the recommended word count, focus on tailoring your
content to the job description. Job applicants often wonder if there’s any point writing a cover letter
with no guarantee it will be read or influence hiring decisions.
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. Why? At Wasai we are committed to building awesome digital
products for all. First paragraph: Include how you heard about the position, mentioning the job title
and why you’re interested. Examples of Cover Letters with the Perfect Length To help you visualise
what an ideal cover letter length looks like, let’s examine cover letter examples that strike the right
balance between conciseness and effectiveness: Example 1: Entry-Level Position A cover letter for
an entry position should be rather short and on point. We've got 100 helpful prompts to help you get
kickstarted on your next writing assignment. Our sales representative sample letter leads with this
masterful introduction. Follow these guidelines for an exceptional admissions essay. Every aspect of
the document’s layout, design and formatting should help make it. 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.
They automatically make your writing tighter and more results-driven. Thank recruiters for their time
and interest in your application, adding a reminder of why you are an ideal job fit. Studies have
shown they can give you a 40% job-winning edge over other qualified applicants who do not submit
one. Your Story: Your unique career journey and accomplishments should also guide the length of
your cover letter. 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. 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. You
may choose to talk about your previous role where you managed an office of 20 people and speak on
how you did it. Throughout my career, I have consistently demonstrated an unparalleled ability to
create and execute strategic plans that yield exceptional results. The call to action in this sample
cover letter closing is unusual but potentially effective. It will also completely cover everything you
need to say. Breaking it into separate parts can make the writing process seem less daunting. Follow
these pointers for keeping your writing organized and effective. Born and raised in Chicago, she
went to Columbia College Chicago and entered the world of all things event marketing and social
media. Highlight experiences and skills that directly relate to the position, and omit irrelevant details.
Create a perfect cover letter and start your career Crafting the ideal cover letter length involves a
delicate balance between conveying essential information and maintaining the reader’s interest. Your
cover letter isn’t a letter, it’s a short introduction. Put another way: cover letters are a classic case of
“less is more.” And getting to “less” typically takes more time and effort. He has been advising job
seekers since 2012 to think differently in their job search and land high-paying, competitive
positions. Revise accordingly. Shorter word counts virtually guarantee a higher recruiter’s score.
Example: Sales Representative Cover Letter Closing. Now, let's move on to explore what factors can
impact the length of a cover letter.
Science has proven that positive responses are triggered by people hearing or reading their own
name. Each paragraph should be relatively short, containing two to four sentences. Cover letter
length can be puzzling, leaving many entry-level job seekers in the UK wondering how to strike the
right balance. Fourth paragraph: If you don’t have relevant volunteer experience, this should instead
be your third paragraph. Follow these pointers for keeping your writing organized and effective.
Second paragraph, or the selling pitch (150-300 words). Blog Writing a Standout College
Admissions Essay by Casey Brown Your personal statement is arguably the most important part of
your college application. He has been advising job seekers since 2012 to think differently in their job
search and land high-paying, competitive positions. Performance and personalization Performance
and Personalization cookies allow us to provide you an individualized experience while using our
Site. Browse the top tools and try one out for yourself. Example: Sales Representative Cover Letter
Closing. This achievement not only solidified our position in existing markets but also opened doors
to new and emerging ones. Highlight experiences and skills that directly relate to the position, and
omit irrelevant details. On the other hand, writing a long, overcomplicated letter with many fancy-
sounding words might have a reverse effect than expected, especially when it feels forced. Cover
letters are like a written handshake in an era when job-seekers no longer walk into offices with no
appointment asking to see the hiring manager. Senior-level positions or roles with extensive
qualifications may require longer cover letters (around 350-400 words). Count words and characters,
correct spelling and grammar, and check keyword density. This will give you just enough space to
introduce yourself, explain your backgrounds and demonstrate why you are the perfect candidate for
the position. Choose quality over quantity Remember that quality should always take precedence
over quantity. Seamlessly bridge from past to future accomplishments, giving a sense of. A rough
word count estimation is about 250-400 or three paragraphs, respectively. Having been a rep for two
gardening manufacturers previously, I understand the investment that this requires. It should also
motivate readers to dig deeper for more details in your resume. Blog How to Write Essay Titles and
Headers by Casey Brown Don’t overlook the title and section headers when putting together your
next writing assignment. Resume formats Functional resume Summary, objective Employment
history Skills Education Hobbies References Languages Proofreading International resumes Read
full guide Get started now Make your job-winning resume easy and fast with our top resume builder.
Born and raised in Chicago, she went to Columbia College Chicago and entered the world of all
things event marketing and social media. Our sales representative sample letter leads with this
masterful introduction. 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. 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. Include plenty of white space
and small, punchy paragraphs.
Blog Writing a Standout College Admissions Essay by Casey Brown Your personal statement is
arguably the most important part of your college application. It's better to have a well-crafted,
slightly longer cover letter that effectively communicates your qualifications and enthusiasm than a
shorter one that feels rushed or lacking in substance. You have everything to gain — and nothing to
lose — by regarding cover letters as essential, not just a smart idea. Count words and characters,
correct spelling and grammar, and check keyword density. Avoid going off-topic or including
personal anecdotes that do not directly contribute to your suitability for the job. Make sure no one
will have to squint their eyes to read it and make it 12 point font. Aim to convey your qualifications
and enthusiasm in a clear and succinct manner. Write your Cover Letter Cover letter length
takeaways The length of a cover letter varies based on factors such as experience, job complexity,
and company culture. Highlight experiences and skills that directly relate to the position, and omit
irrelevant details. After double spacing, your cover letter should contain the name of the person you
are contacting. Breaking it into separate parts can make the writing process seem less daunting.
Resume formats Functional resume Summary, objective Employment history Skills Education
Hobbies References Languages Proofreading International resumes Read full guide Get started now
Make your job-winning resume easy and fast with our top resume builder. Every time you review
each cover letter redraft, a crisper, cleaner and more efficiently polished new version should emerge.
Conversely, entry-level positions may require a short cover letter that will be more straightforward. It
can start earning you points as the best job candidate before anyone even looks at your resume.
Cover letters play a crucial role in the job application process. Are you available for a phone call later
this week or early next week. As a resume companion document, your cover letter serves these key
purposes. Cover letter greeting Start your cover letter off on a professional, yet approachable, note in
the greeting. Then, when you think it’s perfect, ask someone else to give it a look. This
recommendation applies to both printed and email cover letters. You should almost always be
sending a cover letter along with your resume unless the listing states otherwise. Contact us. Sitemap
Home Blog Grammar FAQ Latest Post How to Write Essay Titles and Headers ? Read more.
Understanding how long your cover letter should be can elevate a job application. Your cover letter
isn’t a letter, it’s a short introduction. Ending: Choose a sign-off (Sincerely, Always, Best, Looking
forward to your reply, etc.) Your name. But if your cover letter is well within the 400-word count
limit, and seems to fit fine on a single page, it might still benefit from eye-pleasing improvements.
Senior-level positions or roles with extensive qualifications may require longer cover letters (around
350-400 words). It shows your passion for the work and your community involvement. Revise
accordingly. Shorter word counts virtually guarantee a higher recruiter’s score.