two page cover letter reddit

Can a Cover Letter Be Longer Than a Page? [3 Examples]

Imagine you're applying for your dream job, and the application requests a cover letter. You have a wealth of experience and skills to share, but you've heard that cover letters should only be one page. Should you stick to this rule, or can a cover letter be longer than one page? Understanding when and how to write a longer cover letter can help job seekers make a stronger impression on potential employers.

In this article, we will explore the debate surrounding cover letter length, the importance of considering industry norms and specific job requirements, and the consequences of an overly long or poorly written cover letter. We will also delve into tips, tricks, and best practices for writing a compelling longer cover letter that will help you stand out in a competitive job market. Let's begin!

Why One Page is the Standard

One-page cover letters are preferred because they are concise, focused, and respect the hiring manager's time. Research indicates that hiring managers have limited time and attention spans, making it crucial for candidates to get to the point quickly and effectively. According to a Forbes article , clear and concise communication is essential for success in any professional environment.

By keeping a cover letter to one page, candidates can ensure that their key points stand out and that they demonstrate respect for the reader's time. A longer cover letter runs the risk of losing the reader's interest and diluting the impact of the candidate's most important qualifications.

When a Longer Cover Letter may be Acceptable

There are certain situations where a longer cover letter might be warranted, depending on the job requirements and the candidate's qualifications. Some possible scenarios include:

• Highly specialized or technical roles : Candidates applying for positions that require specific expertise may need more space to explain their qualifications and experiences.
• Extensive relevant experience : If a candidate has a long and impressive history of relevant accomplishments, they may need more than one page to adequately showcase their achievements.
• Multiple accomplishments to showcase : Similar to those with extensive experience, candidates with numerous accomplishments that are directly related to the job may require additional space to demonstrate their value.
• Addressing specific job requirements in detail : If the job description asks for detailed explanations of certain qualifications or experiences, a longer cover letter may be necessary to address these requirements thoroughly.
• Tailoring the cover letter to the employer's preferences : In some cases, the employer may request a more comprehensive cover letter, making it appropriate to exceed the one-page standard.

How to Decide if a Longer Cover Letter is Warranted

Before deciding to write a longer cover letter, job seekers should carefully assess their qualifications and the job requirements. This process may include:

• Analyzing the job description : Determine which qualifications and experiences are most important to the employer and consider how your background aligns with these requirements.
• Identifying key qualifications and accomplishments : Make a list of your most significant achievements and qualifications that are relevant to the job, and decide which ones are essential to include in your cover letter.
• Weighing the relevance of each point : Consider how important each qualification or accomplishment is to the job at hand, and whether it is worth extending your cover letter to include it.
• Considering the employer's preferences : If the employer has provided specific instructions or preferences regarding cover letter length, be sure to take these into account when deciding whether to go beyond one page.
• Balancing the need for detail with the risk of losing the reader's interest : Ultimately, you will need to weigh the benefits of providing additional detail against the potential drawbacks of a longer cover letter, such as losing the reader's interest or appearing unfocused.

Real-Life Examples of Successful Longer Cover Letters

Some job seekers have successfully used longer cover letters to stand out and secure interviews, but their success often depends on the quality of the content. Here are three real-life examples:

• Example 1: A candidate for a highly specialized role : This candidate was applying for a position that required in-depth knowledge of a specific technology. In their two-page cover letter, they provided a detailed explanation of their experience with this technology, including the projects they had worked on and the results they achieved. This level of detail demonstrated their expertise and helped them stand out from other applicants.

"In my previous role as a Senior Software Engineer at XYZ Company, I led the development of a cutting-edge machine learning algorithm that improved the efficiency of our data processing pipeline by 35%. This project required a deep understanding of the underlying technology, as well as the ability to coordinate with cross-functional teams and manage tight deadlines. My success in this project showcases my ability to excel in the specialized role for which I am applying, and I am confident that my unique skill set will make me a valuable asset to your organization."

• Example 2: A candidate with extensive experience and accomplishments : This candidate had a long and impressive career in their industry, with many relevant accomplishments that made them a strong fit for the position. In their two-page cover letter, they highlighted their most significant achievements, along with the skills and expertise they had developed over the years.

"Over the past 15 years, I have held various leadership roles within the marketing industry, consistently driving growth and innovation for the organizations I have served. I spearheaded a successful rebranding campaign for a major consumer goods company, which resulted in a 20% increase in sales and a 15% increase in brand recognition. Additionally, I played a pivotal role in the development and execution of a multi-channel marketing strategy that led to a 25% increase in customer engagement for a leading eCommerce retailer. These accomplishments, along with my extensive experience in the field, make me a strong candidate for the Director of Marketing position at your organization."

• Example 3: A candidate who addressed specific job requirements in detail : The job description for this position required candidates to explain in detail how they met certain qualifications. The candidate used their two-page cover letter to address these requirements, providing specific examples and explanations to demonstrate their fit for the role.

"As requested in the job description, I would like to provide detailed information on my experience with project management and team leadership. In my most recent role as a Project Manager at ABC Company, I successfully managed a team of 12 professionals to complete a complex software development project on time and within budget. I was responsible for overseeing all aspects of the project, including setting timelines, allocating resources, and ensuring effective communication among team members. Throughout the project, I consistently demonstrated my ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results under pressure. I am confident that my track record of success in this area makes me a strong candidate for the position at your organization."

The importance of high-quality content in longer cover letters cannot be overstated. In each of these examples, the candidates provided relevant, detailed information that showcased their qualifications and made them stand out from other applicants. When considering whether to write a longer cover letter, remember that the success of these examples was largely due to the quality and relevance of their content.

Following Instructions in the Job Description

It's crucial for job seekers to follow any instructions related to cover letter length provided in the job description. Adhering to employer preferences demonstrates attention to detail and a willingness to customize your application for each position. According to a ResumeEdge article , some companies use Applicant Tracking Software to exclude unsuitable cover letters and resumes before they reach hiring managers and recruiters.

Ignoring the employer's instructions can have negative consequences, such as being disqualified from the selection process or giving the impression that you're not a good fit for the company culture. By customizing your cover letter for each application and following any specific instructions provided, you show the employer that you're a serious candidate who is willing to go the extra mile to meet their expectations.

While the one-page cover letter is the standard, there are situations where a longer cover letter might be acceptable, provided that it is well-written and relevant to the job requirements. When deciding whether to write a longer cover letter, carefully assess the job requirements and your qualifications, and consider the importance of high-quality content in making your case.

In all cases, it's essential to follow any instructions provided in the job description regarding cover letter length to demonstrate your attention to detail and commitment to meeting the employer's expectations. By creating a tailored and effective cover letter that addresses the specific needs of the position, you increase your chances of standing out from the competition and securing that coveted interview.

Stack Exchange Network

Stack Exchange network consists of 183 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow , the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers.

Q&A for work

Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search.

Should a cover letter take a page or should it be short?

Right now I am writing a cover letter to apply for a job, some people tell me cover letters should be short while other people tell me a cover letter should take up a page. Anyone who works in HR knows which one is the truth? Thanks

• cover-letter

• 1 By page, you mean a full page? No. I've not set eyes on such a cover letter. If by page however, you mean a paragraph or two on a page by itself,on a single page, then yes. Your cover letter is a concise summary of the good bits of your resume, including a brief intro to yourself as a professional. All this shouldn't fill a page. Don't think anyone will read all that –  kolossus Dec 21, 2012 at 22:44
• And then, if I receive a cover letter that isn't a page long, I have a negative impression. Then again, I specifically ask for a cover letter, & expect it to perform a set of tasks: tie your experience to the position, give me a reason to read your resume, & address any questions stated in the ad. Is this an entry-level position , or one with more experience ? –  jcmeloni Dec 21, 2012 at 23:23
• No more than a page, but that doesn't mean you should ramble on to fill the whole thing. –  user8365 Dec 22, 2012 at 13:43

4 Answers 4

I don't work in HR but my opinion is that the cover letter should be to the point in terms of showing how great a fit you are for the position by citing specific examples so that you demonstrate that you believe you can do the job well. The idea is to get the interview to further discuss specifics to validate the initial match. While a cover letter may be a page on the high end if one has more than a handful of points to make, the key is to keep the fluff to a minimum in the cover letter and demonstrate how you fit this position so well.

A cover letter should show:

• that you are aware of what the position is
• that you are aware of who the company is
• that you've considered why you would be a good fit for this position and this company
• that you didn't just carbon copy a bunch of cover letters for every position you are applying to

It's the one place in most applications where you can sum yourself up and present a picture. It can highlight reasons for oddities in your resume or make specific selling points out of what may otherwise be uninsteresting resume bullet points.

There's no maximum or minimum here, but I'd be surprised if you can write a cover letter worth reading in less than 4-5 sentences, and unless you have an incredible history and you are applying for a one of a kind position, it shouldn't take up a whole page.

I usually keep a few things in mind:

I'll write and rewrite cover letters for positions 2-3 times a week when I'm in the throes of a gentle job application process, 5-10 times a week in a heavy search - so if I take more than 30 minutes writing it, I'm wasiting time better spent on other job research.

The recruiter/managers reading this cover letter will probably read 10-30 such cover letters - if they have to read a dense, long cover letter for each candidate, they will stop caring after about 5 candidates - so the cover letter has to be tightly written and to the point.

In essense - don't say a lot of nothing, but don't be so terse that you don't make a point.

Cover letters should reflect the position. If you're applying for a writing position, for instance, you would want to write a good story about yourself. If you're applying for a sales position, you want to make a solid sales pitch in your cover letter. One of the most effective cover letters I ever used (in sales), which got tons of attention started with two huge words in 72-font: "HEY YOU!" The purpose of the cover letter was to stop them from reading YET-ANOTHER-COVER-LETTER and make them stop and think about mine. It worked - I got to pick from some great positions.

So, depending on the position you're applying for, figure out a creative way to draft a letter which communicates that you'll excel at that position.

• Is this really proper? A professional Cover Letter that starts with "HEY YOU!" instead of for example: "Dear Hiring Committe at CompanyX"? –  Khalil Khalaf Dec 18, 2016 at 12:51

In the hiring process it really helps to understand roles, responsibilities and motivations of all the players involved:

In many cases the first person to read your cover letter is an HR staffer that has no specific knowledge about the position nor any personal interest in getting it filled. His/her task is to weed out the obviously unqualified candidates and check the requirements against a list. A staffer doesn't get dinged if they throw a good resume away: nobody will ever know. However, they might get dinged if they pass bad resumes along to the next level, so they are more likely to be picky and play it safe.

The task of your cover letter is to get your resume through this gate!

So, put yourself in their shoes! If you were an HR staffer who has to scan through 200+ resumes before lunch, what would you like to see in a cover letter? I have had very good results with basically copy & pasting the posted requirements and listing my own qualification against them. Most staffers will love that because you make their life really easy. It's perfectly okay if you don't meet all of the requirements. As long as you have a decent match and you are upfront about the holes, you have a good chance to get to the next level.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for browse other questions tagged cover-letter ., hot network questions.

• Is a Poisson minus a constant still a Poisson?
• Is it possible to retract an acceptance for a full time lecturer position? (Michigan)
• Word for a country declaring independence from an empire
• what does the word of seven book- length means
• Cryptic Clue Explanation: Tree that's sported to keep visitors out at university (3)
• How to cut a large piece of marble 1” thick
• Is this deck post getting cracks due to it being overloaded?
• What is the meaning of "I am digging this groove"
• Why isn't "meanwhile" advisable in this sentence? Doesn't it mean "at the same time"?
• Using commented dashes to divide up code chunks
• Are USB-C through hole shell stakes connected to GND or are they just there for fastening purposes only?
• What happens to the souls of non-evil creatures when they reach their aligned outer plane?
• Why Did The Drywall Tape Fail in My Garage? And How Can I Fix It?
• What is the point of triggering of a national snap election immediately after losing the EU elections?
• Why are ETFs so bad at tracking Japanese indices?
• Why does Mars have a jagged light curve?
• How do I emphasize a sentence without making it seem like the character is shouting?
• What is the maximum number of fish possible in your tank?
• Who was the first philosopher to describe what we now call artificial intelligence?
• Latex: Want to Use marathi font and English font
• Can I have a vacation to Canada, while living in France for 3 months?
• Non-universal and non classically simulatable gate set?
• can you roll your own .iso for USB stick?
• What rights do I have to improve upon patented inventions?

Get the Reddit app

Get help with your resume! Please read the Wiki before posting. Check out the COMMUNITY BOOKMARKS for helpful info.

Applied to over 200 jobs with no interviews.Roast my Resume.I have posted my cover letter also. I’ve applied to 200s of jobs and never receive any interviews or responses back. I thought my resume was amazing and would have recruiters running for me. Am I doing something wrong??

I have applied via LinkedIn, indeed, naukari and through sights also with cover letter as follows:

With a proven track record in Python and Django development and my current role as a Python and Odoo developer, I am excited to apply for this position. My passion for innovative solutions and my commitment to excellence have driven my career in this field.

My experience includes:

Successfully developing and launching a YouTube clone, powered by Python and Django, enabling users to upload videos, authenticate, and engage with dynamic content.

Crafting a feature-rich E-commerce platform for food delivery, built using Python and Django, complete with essential functionalities such as user registration, login, logout, and a seamless cart system.

Building a desktop application using Tkinter and SQL database, where Python played a pivotal role in efficient management of employee details.

Creating a web application with Python and Django, empowering users to view, update, and delete posts with a user-friendly interface.

In my current role as a Python and Odoo developer, I continue to expand my skill set and contribute to innovative projects.

I am a proactive, results-oriented professional, and I am drawn to this opportunity by the prospects of applying my expertise in Python, Django, and Odoo to the dynamic challenges it presents. My unique blend of technical prowess, creativity, and dedication positions me as a valuable asset for your team.

Can a Cover Letter Be Two Pages?

• POSTED ON November 4, 2023
• by Marcjean Yutuc

A cover letter gives you an opportunity to highlight your career development journey. It’s your ad campaign, marketing your skills and experiences to your potential employers. Most recruiters want to see how you can impact their company through your letter.

Choosing the ideal page count can make or break your application process. Some companies may appreciate thorough information, while others might not have the time.

Corporate job openings attract around 250 applicants . Therefore, your cover letter should include details directly related to the role to boost your hiring chances.

But is it necessary to submit a two-page cover letter? It depends on your background experience concerning the role and company requirements. Go over these points below to see your ideal cover letter length.

Can a cover letter be two pages?

Most corporate jobs require a one-page cover letter. A survey says 83% of recruiters agree that an effective cover letter can increase your hiring chances even if your resume isn’t good enough. However, some say it’s optional, but it’s better to be ready.

Ensure readability. Your cover letter shouldn’t bore your employers, so avoid filler words. Write simple words instead of using technical industry terms.

A padded letter won’t impress any employer because some details are unnecessary. There are programs like Hemingway and Grammarly to check clarity.

What is the ideal cover letter length?

The ideal cover letter length mustn’t exceed 250 words , so keep it candidly clear. Only include the reasons how you can add value to the company. You don’t need to rewrite your entire resume.

Writing an outstanding cover letter is a balancing act. Writing Tips Institute can agree that it shouldn’t be too little and that it doesn’t have enough information. Nor it shouldn’t be too stuffed with a lot of data.

When to submit a two-page cover letter

Recruiters sift through hundreds of applications per job listing. They may not have enough time to read your lengthy application. Still, some instances may require you to submit a two-page cover letter.

Legal and government responsibilities have enormous selection criteria. They have strict guidelines before accepting the right candidate. So submitting a two-page cover letter detailing your credibility is appropriate in these sectors.

You can submit a two-page cover letter if you fit the following criteria:

• Company requirements. You can use a two-page document if your employer requires you to include testimonials from former bosses. They want to conduct a background check to see if your application letter reflects their feedback.
• Numerous skills and advancements. Senior applicants with diverse background experiences typically submit a two-page cover letter. They want to emphasize how their capabilities can help the company succeed.
• Detailed job description. When a job instructs you to address several requirements, use a two-page cover letter to explain effectively. Call the HR department and ask for key elements on how to outline your letter . These factors may include formatting spaces, fonts, footers, and headings.

When to submit a one-page cover letter

Some employers have strict directions for a cover letter. They may ask for a word limit, a reflection on a given topic, or answer a question. You don’t have to hit the exact word count but focus on the content.

Present a one-page cover letter if you meet the measures below:

• Industry standards. The standard page length of cover letters can fit on a single page. If white spaces worry you, embrace them. Most hiring managers will find it easier to read through your letter over a wall of worthless text.
• Limited job description. Delivering relevant skills that match the job description on one page can save your employer’s time. Include impactful stories using the STAR method , which stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. This strategy gives a clear example of your skill’s effectiveness.
• Ability to express achievements on one page. Some applicants can explain their achievements and how they can enhance the company on a single page. Their paragraphs include strong, simple descriptions to prove their qualifications.

How to write a one-page cover letter

Your cover letter outlines the position you’re applying for and information highlighting why you fit the job. The first part should include the date and contact person’s name, title, company, and address. Choose professional terms to address your contact person in the salutation section—for example, Dear, Mr., or Ms.

Unless you don’t have the contact name, you can simply address the letter as “ Dear, Hiring Manager, or Prospective Employer.” Avoid overly formal words like “To whom it may concern” because they’re outdated.

But remember to always research the company before applying for a job. It shows the commitment and willingness to go the extra mile to gather exact information about your recruiter.

Start your cover letter with an attention-grabbing first paragraph. Then, add strong selling points that stand out from the rest of the applicants. Be explicit and straightforward with your intention from the get-go.

The second paragraph gives a summary of your critical and persuasive skills. Try not to restate your resume. Instead, add professional drama around a central idea. State at least 2-3 key accomplishments that tie back to the role that shaped your career.

Finally, the closing statement. To write an unforgettable cover letter , draw the reader to a call-to-action, summarizing why they should consider you for the role.

Avoid submitting a cover letter without giving it your full attention. You might miss out on bits of unnoticeable errors, so make sure to proofread.

1. Keep your opening brief and concise

Typically, a cover letter should encompass half a page to a full page length. Express your strengths in 3-4 sections that are readable in less than 20 seconds. So be specific. Write your crucial motivation that foreshadows what you’ll do for the company.

2. Do not write a summary of your resume

HR managers spend roughly 30 seconds to a minute reviewing resumes. So make sure to write a banging cover letter that mirrors your resume. Keep fonts in all documents consistent and cohesive to show professionalism.

Apply appropriate text formatting with readable text styles. The best cover letter should have a 12pt font size and use font types like Calibri, Garamond, and Times New Roman.

3. Identify and cut the fluff

Your cover letter shouldn’t have irrelevant fillers that don’t talk about how you can help the company. State precise, impactful information about your skills and professional history. Steer clear from corporate jargon. Use simple, understandable words in place of technical expressions.

4. Avoid using too many adjectives and adverbs

Another way to shorten your cover letter is to minimize your adverbs and adjectives. Though they add color to your letter, using too many is not the best way to persuade your employer. Instead, make an effort to write distinct descriptions without getting out of topic in place of broad terms.

Here’s an example:

• I am an excellent and dedicated employee with a long, impressive work history in this industry.
• I have certifications in SEO content marketing and six years of experience in social media management.

Which of these sentences are likely to convince a recruiter? They both are informative, but the first sentence is too vague, while the second one uses concrete examples.

5. Give two examples to explain your point

You want to market your best traits and abilities that are helpful. So embody confidence. Don’t undersell yourself with words like “I’m probably not the best candidate, but if you give me a chance, I can prove myself to you.”

They don’t know that you don’t have extensive experience in certain skills. But what you can do is emphasize your strengths. Site at least 2 case scenarios wherein you came up with the best possible outcome to an issue.

6. Do not share your entire life story

The cover letter isn’t about the benefits the company can offer you. It’s about what you can put to the table that they can leverage.

Employers don’t want to read about your epiphanies and irrelevant background details. Generally, the first thing they want to see is applicable working experiences. They want to know that you’re capable of working professionally and can handle constructive criticism.

Example of a one-page cover letter: Web developer

June 28, 2022

Mr. Andrew Cole xxx Company Address Company City, State xxxx +111-111-1111 [email protected]

Dear Mr. Cole,

I’m writing this letter to express my interest in the Web Developer position. I’m a progress-focused Web Developer with 9 years of working experience at [Former Company]. While working for the company, I enhanced their web security applications. I also designed an adaptive and user-friendly website capable of mobile and desktop use. Additionally, I trained over 30 staff members regarding internal web functions. 

Throughout my time with [Former Company], I minimized hacker attacks from 3.2% down to 0.03% and redesigned the company website. As a result, I increased visitor clicks by 44% and consumer purchases by 23%.

I wish to work for [Company Name] as I would like to extend my experiences and ideas to help your company reach and surpass its objectives. With a good track record of initiative and dependability, I boosted [Former Company]’s sales and revenue to 39%. What would 39% do for your sales goals? I would train dozens of employees concerning web functions to streamline the process if hired.

I’m looking forward to discussing my qualifications in detail with you soon. Feel free to contact me at +222-222-2222 or email me at [email protected].

Example of a one-page cover letter: Marketing manager

Ms. Liz Claire xxx Company Address Company City, State xxxx +111-111-1111 [email protected]

Dear Ms. Claire,

I’m pleased that [Company Name] has a Marketing Manager job vacancy. I always see your clever ad campaigns and would love to bring my enthusiasm to the team. After working in marketing and advertising for 6 years, I’ve enhanced my marketing strategies and methodical communication approach. 

Being goal-driven and results-oriented, I’ve launched 1,000+ successful online ad campaigns

during my professional career at [Former Company]. With my extensive field-specific skills, I would make a substantial asset to your company.

Here’s an overview of my responsibilities and top accomplishments:

• Wrote and optimized 58 blogs for [Former Company] and ranked 42 articles on the first page of the search engine.
• Launch campaigns that led to an increase in organic engagement and lead generation by more than 110%.
• Planned, monitored, and coordinated the company’s overall marketing and public relations activities.
• Prepared and managed the annual budget for marketing.

Because of my background in sales and marketing, I honed my knowledge in marketing analysis, conducting surveys, and implementing techniques that drive the best outcome. I’m sure that my extensive experience would be valuable for [Company Name].

I’m excited to deliver the same, if not better, marketing results at your esteemed firm. I’m looking forward to meeting you at your most convenient time. You may contact me at +111-111-1111 or email me at [email protected].

Kind Regards,

Danica Fitzpatrick

Example of a one-page cover letter: Accountant

Accounting Hiring Manager xxx Company Address Company City, State xxxx +111-111-1111

Dear Accounting Hiring Manager,

I’m writing to show interest in the Accounting Specialist position at [Company Name]. I recently graduated in accountancy at [Name of School], where I completed a BBA in accounting with competency in business administration.

After graduation, I immediately started an internship at a local accounting firm focusing on small business accounting at [Former Company]. Over the past three years of my internship experience, I honed my skills with accounting software. In addition, I became proficient in tax planning, financial statement preparation, and credit control.

Because of my academic and professional development, I’ve consistently performed at an outstanding level. I intend to bring the same drive and commitment to bringing excellent results to your firm.

Kindly contact me to discuss my qualifications so I can personally explain how I hope to contribute to your business. You may contact me at +000-000-0000 or email me at [email protected]. I look forward to hearing from you. 

Johnn Clements

What experts say about two-page cover letters

“A two-page cover letter is perfectly acceptable in certain cases, such as when an applicant has a lot of experience to discuss or is applying for a senior-level position. In other cases, it might be best to stick to a single page. Ultimately, the decision comes down to what will make the strongest impression on the reader and convince them to give the applicant a chance. If in doubt, err on the side of brevity.

Lengthy cover letters may end up being skimmed or even ignored, so it’s important to make sure that every word counts. If an applicant can succinctly and effectively communicate everything they need to on one page, there’s no need to take up extra space. Conversely, if a two-page letter will allow for a more complete and convincing argument, then it may be worth the extra effort.”

Linda Shaffer Chief People Officer, Checkr

“It’s fine to have a two-page cover letter if you feel it is necessary, but you must understand that you only have so much time in front of an employer before they quickly make a decision, and possibly move on. Many employers treat cover letters/resumes like scrolling through social media channels. They will take a quick look, decide if there’s a possible fit, and make a decision based on the next steps.”

Joana Zambas Career Expert, Career Addict

“As a former recruiter (20 years in the staffing industry), I do not think there are any circumstances that reasonably warrant a two-page cover letter. In most cases, cover letters are barely, quickly skimmed by the recruiter, if that. Recruiting is an extremely fast-paced environment. Recruiters and hiring managers are screening hundreds of candidates weekly, and they simply don’t have time realistically to read 2-page cover letters. In my experience, most cover letters barely get read at all. I strongly recommend keeping your cover letter to one page, preferably just 2-3 concise paragraphs.”

Andrea Clement Owner, Career Collateral and Clemco LLC

“An applicant should always avoid writing a two-page cover letter for the majority of companies. Instead, write a one-page cover letter (between 250–400 words) and try directly targeting your cover letter to the company by mentioning the exact criteria they mention in their job posting. Being intentional about your previous work experience, skills, and other qualifications you include in your cover letter tells employers you’ve paid attention to their job requirements and provided a clear purpose for why you want them to read it.”

Eva Chan Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Career Coach, Resume Genius

Key Takeaways

To recap, writing a cover letter can be overwhelming, especially for novice professionals. However, learning how to write a cover letter is essential for career development .

Certain companies do accept a two-page cover letter depending on the position. Make sure to research the company before submitting. You want to include the correct details like company culture, names of HR managers, and key players of the organization.

Subscribe to Skill Success All Access Pass and gain access to a comprehensive library of courses designed to elevate your career. Master cover letter writing, ace interviews, enhance your networking skills, and build a strong professional brand.

Good luck with your new venture!

Marcjean Yutuc

Browse all categories, related posts, best tutoring management software for online tutoring businesses, how to create a graphic designer cover letter: templates & examples, 10 drone videography tips for beginners, how to become an event planner successfully, best employee training methods for 2024 + expert tips.

Be the first to get the newest articles!

Get free articles weekly and put your skills on turbo mode. Subscribe with your email today.

Look out for useful articles and resources delivered straight to your inbox.

Looking for a solution to discover, change, or advance your career?

Get all access pass for only $15/month and unlock 4,000+ online video courses today..

SKILLSUCCESS.com 2024 All rights reserved

Online courses.

Software Tutorials

Personal Development

Career Development

Become an Instructor

Support FAQs

Create An Account

All Access Pass

Terms of Use

Privacy Policy

SKILLSUCCESS.com 2022 All rights reserved

Join our newsletter and get your first course free!

Congratulations! You get one free course of your choice. Please check your email now for the redemption code.

Subscribe For Success!

Get fresh content every week to upgrade your skills today!

How Long Should A Cover Letter Be? Can It Be Two Pages?

By Christina Colclough

Last updated: April 25, 2024

Attaching a cover letter to your resume is the quickest way to draw the hiring manager’s attention. However, there has been a dispute over how long it should be. Some suggest keeping it short and simple, with only 3-4 sentences. Others pack their letters with as much detail as possible, which can stretch for pages.

Where should yours fit into that spectrum? Let me share some of my tips regarding the ideal cover letter length, drawn from my own experiences as both a job seeker and a hiring manager.

In this article:

How long does a cover letter have to be .

Your cover letter should be concise and to the point, aiming for a length between half a page and a full page (translated roughly to 250-400 words ).

Less than half a page (250 words) might not provide enough information for the prospective employer to understand your qualifications and compatibility for the role. Worse, you might come across as uninspired or lacking genuine interest in the position .

A rambling letter (more than 400 words) is not a good idea, either. 

We all know hiring managers and recruiters are busy people; your long letter might be skimmed or not read entirely, and the most important information will get buried in unnecessary details. The team not only misses out on all your key qualifications but also has a bad impression with the clear lack of focus in your writing style. 

Good news: there are still some exceptions. In some technical fields, your experience or qualifications might be complex and require more explanation. 

Hence, a slightly longer letter (up to 1.5 pages) could be justified if it provides crucial details relevant to the position. Ensure the extra content adds significant value, and be careful not to go longer than 2 pages; that would be excessive. 

How To Keep Your Effective Cover Letter In One Page

1. be concise with your cover letter introduction.

You should aim for 2 to 4 sentences with your opening. Start with a short yet powerful statement demonstrating your interest in the position; you can mention how you came across the opportunity or what excites you about the company.

Next, briefly mention a specific aspect of the job posting or the company that resonates with your relevant skills and experience level. If relevant, consider including a quantifiable achievement from your previous role that can back up this value proposition.

And that’s it. Now, conclude your opening and transition smoothly into the body of your letter. Do not let the introduction overstay its welcome. 

2. Cut Out What Your Resume Has Already Covered

A perfect cover letter and an amazing-looking resume are two parts of a powerful package, but they serve different purposes. The resume is a detailed list of your skills and experience level. Your cover letter, however, should focus on how those skills and experience benefit the potential employer .

Hence, do not just restate all your skills from your resume . The cover letter should connect the dots between your relevant experience (mentioned in your resume) and the specific job requirements you’re applying for. If there’s a stellar achievement mentioned in the resume that could be elaborated further with more details, do so in your cover letter. 

3. Cut Out The Fluff

A well-organized, concise cover letter should showcase your communication skills. Fluff only dilutes the impact of your message with unnecessary words or phrases and barely adds any value to your proposition.

Here are three simple yet powerful tips I have used for my own cover letters in earlier days: 

• Never use unsubstantiated claims like “I’m a highly motivated individual with excellent skills.”
• Replace phrases like “in order to” or “due to the fact that” with simpler alternatives like “to” or “because.”
• Stay away from generic descriptive sentences of your skills. Instead, use specific examples to showcase them in action.

Let’s take a look at some cover letter examples:

Fluff: “I am a highly motivated individual with excellent communication and interpersonal skills during everyday tasks.”

Clearer: “My proven communication skills enabled me to…” (Demonstrates skill with an example)

Fluff: “In my previous role, I was responsible for managing social media campaigns and successfully increased brand awareness.”

Clearer: “ I spearheaded social media campaigns that increased brand awareness by 20%.” (Focuses on achievement with a quantifiable result)

3. No More Than One Adjective Or Adverb For Each Sentence

Adjectives and adverbs might add some nuance to your letter writing, but overuse makes your entire cover letter feel bloated and difficult to read. My advice is to rely less on them and gravitate more towards verbs and nouns: 

• Use action verbs that showcase your skills and achievements in action. These verbs can convey meaning effectively on their own without additional adverbs.
• Choose specific nouns that paint the whole picture and eliminate the need for descriptive adjectives.
• Write in an active voice for clear and concise sentences. (e.g., “I increased sales by 15%” is stronger than “Sales were increased by 15%” ).

Some stellar cover letter templates:

Original: “I am a highly motivated and results-oriented individual with a strong work ethic.” (2 adverbs, 2 adjectives)

Revised: “I consistently achieve results through my dedication and strong work ethic.” (1 adverb, 1 adjective)

Original: “I successfully managed a team of ten very talented and creative designers in a fast-paced environment.” (3 adverbs, 2 adjectives)

Revised: “I led a ten-person design team and delivered creative projects on time despite the time pressure.” (1 adverb, 1 adjective)

4. Be Selective; No More Than Two Examples

Hiring managers prefer in-depth details about 1-2 impactful achievements than a long list of generic examples that lack depth.

You should carefully read the job description and identify the key skills and experiences they are looking for. Then, from your list of accomplishments on the resume, choose the ones that best demonstrate the skills highlighted in that description. 

Two golden strategies to keep in mind:

• Choose examples from more recent positions that are most relevant to the job you’re applying for, as they showcase your current skills and knowledge.
• Consider examples that demonstrate the scope and complexity of your work. The manager would be impressed with how you handled challenging tasks and contributed to the company’s vision.

Extra Tips For A Well-Written Cover Letter

Aligning your tone builds a bridge between you and the company culture and makes you seem like a great fit.

From my experience, a company website is your goldmine. The “About Us” section typically outlines the company’s mission, values, and what it stands for. It would help if you also looked for employee testimonials or “Company Culture” pages to get a closer look at the team dynamics . 

Social media is another option, especially popular platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn.

Most importantly, observe the writing style of the posts: 

• Suppose the company culture leans formal; mirror that in your own writing. Use complete sentences with proper grammar and avoid slang or informal language.
• For a more casual company culture, you can inject a bit more personality into your letter without losing professionalism. However, overly casual language is still out of the question.

Do You Need A Cover Letter If The Job Description Says It’s Not Required? 

In most cases, submitting a cover letter is still a good idea, even if the job description says it’s not required. 

A compelling cover letter can set you apart from the rest of the candidate pool (especially if many choose not to submit one), allowing you to showcase your communication skills and genuine interest in the job. 

Plus, as I said earlier, the paper cover letter acts like a bridge that connects the dots between your basic qualifications (mentioned in the resume) and the company’s needs.

You might also like: 7 Powerful Ways To Close A Cover Letter How To Start A Cover Letter Greeting? Who To Address Cover Letter To To Whom It May Concern Alternatives

Keep your professional cover letter to one page, maybe stretching to one and a half at most (the letter word count: 250 to over 400). Going over two pages might hurt your chances rather than increase them! Write to me if you need more advice on the contents of the cover letter.

Christina J. Colclough

Dr Christina J. Colclough is an expert on The Future World of Work and the politics of digital technology advocating globally for the importance of the workers’ voice. She has extensive regional and global labour movement experience, is a sought-after keynote speaker, coach, and strategist advising progressive governments and worker organisations.

Leave a Comment

20 Best Jobs For The Future That Promise The Highest Pay

24 Best Jobs For Introverts: What Careers Are Suitable?

30 Common Internship Interview Questions & Answers

What Is An Entry-Level Job? Benefits & How To Find One

4 Internship Thank You Letter Samples

What Does A Business Analyst Do? Responsibilities & Salary

• Communities Pre-Med Medical Resident Audiology Dental Optometry Pharmacy Physical Therapy Podiatry Psychology Rehab Sci Veterinary
• What's new Trending New posts Latest activity
• Support Account Help Confidential Advising
• Vision, Values and Policies

• Psychology Communities
• Psychology [Psy.D. / Ph.D.]

Cover letters for internship: Is shorter or longer better?

• Thread starter annel
• Start date Oct 31, 2013

Full Member

• Oct 31, 2013

Board Certified in Clinical Neuropsychology

Shorter. When I review, the cover letter is pretty far down the list of importance. But, I value objective info more than most probably. That being said DO NOT go over a page and a half. At most, 2 pages. If you're bleeding onto pg 3, I'm starting to have misgivings about you.  

To the extent that you can concisely convey information, shorter is better. Specifically, when sites have hundreds of files to review, your cover letter is likely to get read more so than your essays. As such, you will want to show good writing skills. Probably spend a short paragraph detailing what program and degree you are from and your enthusiasm for their program. A paragraph on what interests you in their program, and why you are a good fit. For research sites, a paragraph about those interests may also be appropriate. I would say 1 - 1.5 pages is standard though. Good luck!  

AcronymAllergy

Neuropsychologist.

Agree: ~1.5 pages seems to be fairly standard for internship and postdoc apps, with 2 being the upper limit (including signature line).  

researchgirl

AcronymAllergy said: Agree: ~1.5 pages seems to be fairly standard for internship and postdoc apps, with 2 being the upper limit (including signature line). Click to expand...

• Nov 1, 2013

Unless they request a lot of information in the cover letter, keeping it under a page is almost always appropriate. I followed this logic for internship, postdoc, and the academic market. You can say a lot in one page. They are definitely important...often the CV and cover letter are the only things that get read for the first cut. But that doesn't mean more = better...on the contrary, I think less is more if you are an effective writer.  

Pragma said: Unless they request a lot of information in the cover letter, keeping it under a page is almost always appropriate. I followed this logic for internship, postdoc, and the academic market. You can say a lot in one page. They are definitely important...often the CV and cover letter are the only things that get read for the first cut. But that doesn't mean more = better...on the contrary, I think less is more if you are an effective writer. Click to expand...

WisNeuro said: Agreed, I'll give the person who can concisely, and eloquently, write a cover letter in one page major bonus points over someone who just throws up on paper for 2 pages. Click to expand...

Board-certified psychologist

annel said: Hey all, I have heard two schools of thought in regards to internship cover letters. One says keep them short and too the point, ideally under a page. The other says flesh them out, and make sure to make a convincing case that you are an ideal candidate, and try to list everything that you like about the site. Thoughts? Is shorter better? Click to expand...

• Nov 4, 2013

Thanks for the replies all, The "page length" way of looking at cover letters doesn't really fit here, because I've noticed the letters as they appear in MS Word are significantly longer than they appear in the AAPI, due to the AAPI using smaller font. My cover letters are all for university counseling centers. My template was about 500 words, and it's been whittled down to 330. In order to cut it down, I had to eliminate a couple sentences about my passion for therapy, but I think that the shorter letter might look better. What kind of word counts are y'all hitting in cover letters? Also, a supervisor of mine suggested it might be helpful to include some personal info about me in the closing of the cover letter. Ie. "Self-care is important to me. I enjoy x/y/z." I have not seen this done in many cover letters. What do you all think? Good/bad idea?  

Psychologist - Private Practice

I'd focus on fit and see if you have room left over for a touch of personal info at the end. I left the personal information for my first essay though. I'm UCC all the way.  

Therapist4Chnge

Neuropsych ninja.

annel said: Also, a supervisor of mine suggested it might be helpful to include some personal info about me in the closing of the cover letter. Ie. "Self-care is important to me. I enjoy x/y/z." I have not seen this done in many cover letters. What do you all think? Good/bad idea? Click to expand...

thewesternsky

I agree with researchgirl-- My cover letters are all about 1000 words. This works out to between 1.5-2 pages on the APPI (often just over 2 pages in Word) including addresses and sig lines. I focused on my experiences, the quality of my training to date, and how the internship would be a good fit with my goals and experiences. I did not include personal info, although I put a little of that stuff in my APPI Essay 1 (autobiographical essay).  

cara susanna

Ditto the others. I left the personal stuff for my essays. Also, some of my essays were actually less than 500 words.  

Yep, 800-900 words here as well. I didn't apply to any UCCs either, though.  

CheetahGirl

Clinical psychologist.

annel said: What kind of word counts are y'all hitting in cover letters? Also, a supervisor of mine suggested it might be helpful to include some personal info about me in the closing of the cover letter. Ie. "Self-care is important to me. I enjoy x/y/z." Click to expand...

Similar threads

• Monday at 9:33 AM

• iheartbacon
• Oct 9, 2021

• Feb 10, 2024
• annonymous_username
• Jun 14, 2023

• neuro_newbie
• Mar 14, 2024

• This site uses cookies to help personalize content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register. By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies and terms of service . Accept Learn more…

Press Enter to search

Can a Cover Letter Be Two Pages?

Learn recruiter-backed tips on the perfect cover letter length. Learn when to keep it brief and when more detail is beneficial for your career growth.

5 months ago   •   3 min read

We’ve all been there. Staring at the screen. Wondering whether our cover letter is too long. Or too short. Or just right. Crafting the perfect cover letter is a balancing act between thoroughness and brevity. We want to impress potential employers without overwhelming them. But how much information is too much? It’s a question that’s especially important in the competitive, fast-paced job market of 2024, where every word counts.

Here’s the short answer: A cover letter should generally be no longer than one page. Aim for a cover letter that fills up at least half a page. This length gives you enough space to articulate your value proposition without overwhelming the reader.

Let’s face it: Employers and managers are swamped. They don’t have time to mine through mountains of applications and meticulously review each one. Your cover letter is your first (and perhaps only) chance to grab their attention. So, a crisp, clear, and compelling cover letter can make all the difference.

Of course, like every rule, there are exceptions.

In this article, we’ll share some guidance that’ll help you choose the right length of your cover letter. By the end, you’ll know when a one-page cover letter is sufficient and when a longer letter is more appropriate.

Why the one-page maximum?

The one-page maximum isn’t just a random guideline; it’s about being direct and focused, ensuring your most important qualifications shine without getting buried within pages of text. The idea is simple: Your cover letter should be a teaser, a compelling snapshot of your professional story.

Think of it as your elevator pitch in written form. For instance, if you’re applying for a marketing position, start strong. Open with a statement about a particularly successful campaign you spearheaded. Highlight your role and the outcomes succinctly. This approach shows your capability without veering into verbosity.

Recruiters and hiring managers often view shorter cover letters favorably. They see conciseness as a sign of effective and efficient communication skills—a critical asset in any professional setting.

Focuses on specifics

A brief cover letter forces you to focus on the most relevant aspects of your experience. If your cover letter is longer than 1 page, you likely aren’t tailoring your message to the job’s specific requirements. If you’re eyeing a graphic design role, mention projects that align closely with the skills the employer is seeking. This alignment shows that you’re qualified and attentive to the job’s nuances.

Not diluting key messages

A succinct cover letter ensures that your key points are noticed immediately. When a cover letter extends beyond one page, it risks burying the most crucial information under a pile of irrelevant details. It’s better to share a concise, impactful story about a key professional achievement rather than listing every project or role you’ve been involved in.

Keeping the reader’s attention

The longer your cover letter, the higher the risk of losing the reader’s interest, particularly if it includes irrelevant details. Stay on point by ensuring your anecdotes and examples directly relate to the job requirements. For example, omit personal hobbies or unrelated work experiences that don’t contribute to your specific role candidacy.

A concise cover letter conveys your qualifications and demonstrates your respect for the reader’s time and ability to prioritize and organize information effectively. A well-structured, brief cover letter often leaves a stronger, more positive impression than a lengthy, rambling one.

When it’s ok to use a longer cover letter

In certain circumstances, a two-page cover letter might not only be acceptable but also advantageous.

Senior-level positions

A longer cover letter may be appropriate for roles requiring extensive experience, such as C-level positions. This extra space allows you to detail significant strategic initiatives and leadership experiences. For instance, a candidate with over 15 years of experience might use the additional page to elaborate on the major projects and innovations they led.

Career changes

Transitioning between industries or roles can be complex. You can use extra space in your cover letter to effectively articulate transferable skills and experiences. For example, a professional switching from teaching to corporate training might need extra space to explain how their educational expertise is applicable and valuable in a corporate context.

Complex projects or achievements

Detailed descriptions of specific, relevant projects or significant achievements can justify a longer cover letter. A research scientist, for instance, might expand on their role in a major publication or a groundbreaking project, which requires more than a single page.

Creative fields

In creative fields, a two-page cover letter can offer you the space to showcase your storytelling skills or writing ability. A candidate for a content writing position might use this space to craft a compelling narrative about their writing journey and experiences.

• Career Advice

Spread the word

How to tell your current employer you have another offer, how to ask for a pay rise, keep reading, how to name drop in a cover letter (without sounding pretentious), how to show bilingualism on your resume (with examples), why the job you interviewed for was reposted: the complete 2024 guide, subscribe to our newsletter.

Stay updated with Resume Worded by signing up for our newsletter.

🎉 Awesome! Now check your inbox and click the link to confirm your subscription.

Please enter a valid email address

Oops! There was an error sending the email, please try later

Thank you for the checklist! I realized I was making so many mistakes on my resume that I've now fixed. I'm much more confident in my resume now.

• Resume Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Resume Examples Nurse Student Internship Teacher Accountant View all
• Resume Builder
• Cover Letter Templates Simple Professional Modern Creative View all
• Cover Letter Examples Nursing Administrative Assistant Internship Graduate Teacher View all
• Cover Letter Builder

Free cover letter templates

Stand out and get hired faster with our collection of free professional cover letter templates expertly-designed to land you the perfect position.

Reviewed by the community. Trusted by professionals

General cover letter template.

A general cover letter template is the perfect starting point for writing your next job-winning cover letter. In the example below, you’ll find a cover letter that can be modified to suit just about any position or industry. 

Make sure to update it to include key examples from your own experience and education. Each cover letter is a chance to convince the employer that you’re the best candidate for their role, so make it count!

You’ve developed an excellent resume. What a relief! But you’re not finished with your job application package. It’s time to write a stellar cover letter. That blank page can be scary, but the tips below will help you grab that interview.

Why use our cover letter templates

Resume.io’s cover letter templates offer several advantages when it comes to completing your application and landing your next great position. We take pride in creating fresh and professional designs that stand out and make a positive first impression in today’s competitive job market. 

Here are a few reasons why our free cover letter templates are a cut above the rest:

• Expertly crafted templates: Our team of professional graphic designers is constantly creating and updating our templates to make sure they meet the needs of today’s job seekers. Our collection of templates ranges from minimalist and modern to bold and creative to ensure that we offer the perfect cover letter template for every candidate.
• Approved by recruiters: We work with career HR and recruitment professionals to make sure our cover letter templates meet the strict standards of today’s employers. We follow the latest hiring trends to update and adapt our cover letter templates for the needs of modern job seekers.
• Customize with ease: Not only do we provide expertly designed free cover letter templates, but we also offer an intuitive cover letter builder to help job seekers customize their application letters with ease. Our cover letter builder is easy-to-use and full of helpful features and advice to help you craft a cover letter that’s a cut above the rest.
• AI-powered tools: Even the best writers could use a hand sometimes. That’s why we’ve introduced AI-powered sample sentences that can be inserted directly within the cover letter builder and updated for your own experience. Our powerful spelling and grammar checker also helps to eliminate costly cover letter errors.

Most job applications specify whether they’d like to receive your cover letter as a PDF or Word Docx format. We’ve made it easy to download either option within our cover letter builder.

Choosing the right cover letter template

Every candidate and every position is unique, meaning the same cover letter won’t work for everyone. That’s why we’ve created an extensive collection of cover letter templates with designs ranging from clean and classic to modern and attention-grabbing. 

Within our cover letter builder, you can also easily switch from one template to another, meaning the perfect cover letter design is always within reach. Our free cover letter templates are divided into four categories:

• Simple: Our simple cover letter templates are go-to classics that can work for a wide variety of positions and applicants. These templates are best-suited for students and first-time job seekers, along with applicants working in fields like hospitality, transportation, logistics, and retail. Our simple templates are highly versatile and can serve as a great starting point for any cover letter.
• Modern: If fresh ideas and innovation are the keys to your industry, our modern cover letter templates are the right choice. These designs feature minimalistic lines, clean fonts, and a refreshing balance of white space to text. Our modern cover letter templates are perfect for candidates in IT, marketing, administration, and sales.
• Creative: If your industry or job title calls for a bold approach, look no further than our collection of creative cover letter templates . These designs feature bright colors, striking fonts, and larger-than-life headers to draw attention to your cover letter. Our creative cover letter templates are perfect for candidates in fields like film and television, design, photography, art, architecture, content creation, and any job where your personality should be in the spotlight.
• Professional: Sometimes, tried-and-true is the only option, and that’s where our professional templates come into play. These are classic designs with traditional font choices and the organized sections recruiters expect to see. When in doubt, a professional cover letter template is the way to go, especially in fields like business, medicine, education, engineering, accounting, and finance.

What makes a good cover letter template?

A good cover letter template is a combination of elements that work together to highlight and emphasize a candidate’s experience and qualifications for the role. 

Here are a few factors that make a good cover letter template:

Header: An excellent cover letter template features a header that draws attention to the applicant’s name and contact information. The header may be located at the top or on the side of the page, but it must contain key details like a phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile or portfolio website.

Balance of white space to text: A great cover letter template is easy to read and carefully balances the amount of white space in the text to avoid visual fatigue for the reader. Paragraphs should be divided in a logical way, and margins should not be shrunk to cram in more text.

Font choice: The best cover letters use font styles and sizes that are both legible and appropriate for the industry or job title. A good cover letter builder eliminates the guesswork by automatically choosing the right font and size for the cover letter template.

Color or design elements: While not appropriate for every industry, a touch of color or a dividing line can help create a more attractive page design and make the candidate stand out in a crowded applicant pool. Resume.io’s cover letter templates that feature color give several options so that you can choose the hue that works best for your application.

Different jobs can require different cover letter formats , which is why we’ve made it easy to switch colors, line spacing, or even whole templates directly inside our cover letter builder.

Cover letter template frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is a good format for a cover letter.

A good format for a cover letter is one that catches the hiring manager’s attention with an attractive layout, easy-to-read font, and clear and concise information about the candidate’s experience and qualifications.

What are the three parts of a cover letter?

The four parts of a cover letter are as follows:

• The greeting: The way the hiring manager is addressed at the start of the cover letter.  
• Introduction: The first one or two sentences that introduce the candidate and the role they are applying for.  
• Body: The main paragraphs of the cover letter where the candidate discusses their experience and the reasons why they’re right for the job.  
• Conclusion and sign-off: The final sentences that express interest for the role and include the candidate’s full name as a signature.

How long should a cover letter be?

A good cover letter should be around 300 words or within the range of 250-350 words. This equals roughly three paragraphs. Any shorter and the reader may not fully understand why you are qualified for the role. Any longer, and you risk losing the reader’s attention before they get to the end of your letter.

What are three do’s and three don’ts with a cover letter ?

• Include a header that aligns with the design and information on your resume
• Use numbers and concrete information to show your accomplishments
• Leave a balance of white space to text to increase readability
• Change the document margins to cram in more text or make your cover letter appear longer
• Add a full street address to your cover letter
• Go overboard with images, design elements, or colors

What are two things that should always be in a cover letter?

Two things that should always be in a cover letter are the name of the company and the role you are applying to. Hiring managers often look for candidates for multiple openings at once, so this helps the employer identify who you are and the job you are looking for.

Are cover letters necessary?

Cover letters are one of the best ways to increase your chances of landing your desired position. That’s because they give you the opportunity to expand on key experiences from your resume. 

While not every hiring manager reads cover letters, the ones that do can often use them to determine who is on the shortlist for an interview. We recommend every applicant write a cover letter to show their interest and qualifications for the position.

How to end a cover letter

We recommend always ending your cover letter with a call to action. This sentence expresses your enthusiasm for the position and politely suggests that the hiring manager get in touch with you for an interview. 

You can also leave your name and contact information in this section once again, space permitting. Then, sign off with a phrase like “Sincerely” or “Best regards” and your full name.

How do you address a cover letter without a name?

While using the hiring manager’s name on your cover letter is the best way to establish a personal connection, some companies do not share information about who will be reading your cover letter. In that case, a more general greeting like “Dear (Company Name) Hiring Team” or “Dear (Department Name) Team Lead” can do the trick.

Try our professional Resume builder now!

• Share full article

Advertisement

Supported by

Wordle Is a Love Story

The word game has gone from dozens of players to hundreds of thousands in a few months. It was created by a software engineer in Brooklyn for his partner.

By Daniel Victor

Josh Wardle, a software engineer in Brooklyn, knew his partner loved word games, so he created a guessing game for just the two of them. As a play on his last name, he named it Wordle .

But after the couple played for months, and after it rapidly became an obsession in his family’s WhatsApp group once he introduced it to relatives, Mr. Wardle thought he might be on to something and released it to the rest of the world in October.

On Nov. 1, 90 people played.

On Sunday, just over two months later, more than 300,000 people played.

It’s been a meteoric rise for the once-a-day game, which invites players to guess a five-letter word in a similar manner as the guess-the-color game Mastermind. After guessing a five-letter word, the game tells you whether any of your letters are in the secret word and whether they are in the correct place. You have six tries to get it right.

Few such popular corners of the internet are as low-frills as the website, which Mr. Wardle built himself as a side project. There are no ads or flashing banners; no windows pop up or ask for money. There is merely the game on a black background.

“I think people kind of appreciate that there’s this thing online that’s just fun,” Mr. Wardle said in an interview on Monday. “It’s not trying to do anything shady with your data or your eyeballs. It’s just a game that’s fun.”

This is not Mr. Wardle’s first brush with suddenly capturing widespread attention. Formerly a software engineer for Reddit, he created two collaborative social experiments on the site, called The Button and Place , that each were phenomena in their moment.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and  log into  your Times account, or  subscribe  for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber?  Log in .

Want all of The Times?  Subscribe .