A cover letter is your opportunity to show the hiring manager exactly why you’re the perfect fit for the role. So, today we’re going to be breaking down not only the ideal length of your cover letter but also what to include within that one page. Spoiler alert.
How Long Should My Cover Letter Be?
Your cover letter should be 1 page long, around 250-300 words in total, consisting of 3-4 paragraphs. There you go! (See, you didn’t have to scroll that far).
Feel free to click away now, but chances are if you’ve read this far, you also need help figuring out what that 1 page, 300 words and 3-4 paragraphs contains.
What Should My Cover Letter Structure Include?
For your first paragraph in your cover letter, you’ll want to begin by showing the employer you’re interested. Do this by talking about their company and why their values resonate with you.
To discover what the company’s values are, use their website, socials and info on senior employees. Explain why this resonates with you and back up with your previous experiences where possible.
In your second paragraph, you should pick 1-2 key skills mentioned regularly in the job description to expand upon. This second paragraph should be between 7-12 lines and show the employer how your skills make you an ideal fit for the role you’re applying for. You can use SAR sentences here to make sure you’re showcasing impact and results and always link back to the specific job role. Check out our blog post on how to write a cover letter to take this to the next level.
You’ll want to end with a final paragraph consisting of a few lines reiterating your enthusiasm for the role, company or industry. Don’t be afraid to show passion and personality – most people won’t so it’s another opportunity to stand out. You can also include something along the lines of reminding them they can contact you for further details etc.
Need help with your cover letter? We offer virtual cover letter reviews and 1-1 review and strategy sessions, designed to get you interviews – check them out.
