How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? A Guide to Getting It Right

Your cover letter is your first handshake with a potential employer. Your resume lists the facts, but your cover letter is where you get to show your personality, your enthusiasm, and why you're the perfect fit for the company's culture.

A great cover letter is long enough to show your qualifications but short enough to respect a hiring manager's time.

But how long should it be? It's a classic Goldilocks problem. Too short, and you look like you didn't put in the effort. Too long, and you look like you don't know how to be concise. Getting the length just right is a key part of making a great first impression.

Research shows that hiring managers make snap judgments. A cover letter that looks professional and is a manageable length is much more likely to get a thorough read.

This guide will break down the research on the ideal cover letter length and give you specific strategies for crafting a compelling, perfectly-sized letter that will help you land your next interview.

The Psychology of the Perfect Length

Hiring managers are busy. They're often sifting through hundreds of applications for a single position.

A Race Against the Clock

The 15-Second Rule: Most hiring managers spend only 6-15 seconds on their initial screen of an application. Your cover letter needs to make an immediate impact.

Decision Fatigue Is Real: After reading dozens of applications, a hiring manager's ability to process complex information declines. A long, dense cover letter is a huge turn-off.

The Visual Scan: The first thing a hiring manager will do is scan your letter. If it looks balanced and professional, they're more likely to read it.

Mobile Matters: Many hiring managers are reading applications on their phones. Your cover letter needs to be easy to read on a small screen.

What Your Length Says About You

Too Short:

• "I'm not that interested in this job."
• "I don't have much to say for myself."
• "I don't understand professional communication."

Too Long:

• "I don't know how to be concise."
• "I can't prioritize information."
• "I don't respect your time."

Just Right:

• "I'm a strategic thinker."
• "I respect your time."
• "I'm confident in my qualifications."

The Magic Number: 250-300 Words

Multiple studies have shown that the sweet spot for a cover letter is between 250 and 300 words.

Why this range works:

• It's enough space to make a compelling case for yourself.
• It's a manageable reading time for a busy professional.
• It looks good on the page.
• It's mobile-friendly.

How to break it down:

• Opening paragraph (50-75 words): Grab their attention and state your purpose.
• Two body paragraphs (75-100 words each): Highlight your most relevant qualifications.
• Closing paragraph (50-75 words): Reiterate your interest and include a call to action.

The Three-Quarter Page Rule

Visually, your cover letter should take up about three-quarters of a standard page. This creates a nice balance of text and white space.

Paragraph structure:

• 3-4 paragraphs is ideal.
• 5-6 sentences per paragraph.
• Use 1-inch margins.

A Few Exceptions

Entry-Level (200-275 words):

• Focus on your education, internships, and transferable skills.
• Emphasize your enthusiasm and willingness to learn.

Mid-Career (275-350 words):

• Highlight your specific achievements and quantifiable results.
• Show your career progression and leadership potential.

Senior-Level (300-400 words):

• Focus on your strategic thinking and organizational impact.
• Keep it concise, even with a lot of experience to draw from.

Creative Fields (250-350 words):

• Let your personality shine through, but keep it professional.
• Reference your portfolio or specific projects.

While the ideal length can vary by industry and experience level, the principle of a balanced, professional presentation is universal.

The Key Ingredients of a Great Cover Letter

A great cover letter has a few essential components.

The Professional Header

• Your full name, professional email, phone number, and LinkedIn profile URL.
• The hiring manager's name, title, and company address.
• The date.

The Attention-Grabbing Opening

• State the position you're applying for.
• Mention a mutual connection if you have one.
• Show that you've done your research on the company.
• Start with a powerful statement about your qualifications.

The Persuasive Body

• Focus on 2-3 of your most relevant experiences.
• Use numbers and data to show your impact.
• Tell a story about a time you solved a problem or achieved a goal.

The Professional Closing

• Reiterate your enthusiasm for the role.
• Briefly summarize why you're a great fit.
• Suggest the next step (e.g., "I look forward to discussing my qualifications with you in an interview.").
• Use a professional sign-off like "Sincerely."

Formatting and Presentation

The Right Look

• Use a clean, professional font like Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri in 11-12 point size.
• Use 1-inch margins and 1.15 or 1.5 line spacing.
• Make sure your cover letter's header matches your resume's.

Digital Submissions

• Save your cover letter as a PDF to preserve the formatting.
• Use a professional file name (e.g., "LastName_FirstName_CoverLetter_CompanyName.pdf").
• If you're emailing your application, write a brief, professional email and attach your cover letter and resume.

Proofread, Proofread, Proofread

• Check for typos and grammar mistakes.
• Make sure you've spelled the company's name and the hiring manager's name correctly.
• Read it out loud to catch any awkward phrasing.

Final Thoughts

Your cover letter is a powerful tool in your job search. By getting the length, content, and presentation just right, you can make a great first impression and significantly increase your chances of landing an interview.

Remember, the goal is to be comprehensive but concise. Master this balance, and you'll be well on your way to your next career move.