Person writing a cover letter on a laptop

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

What HR Managers Look For in Cover Letter Length

A cover letter should be between 250 and 400 words long, according to a recent survey of HR managers from top companies. This length equals about half to three quarters of a page when using standard margins and 12-point font. Most hiring managers spend less than a minute reading each cover letter, making this length ideal for getting your main points across.

Studies show that hiring managers often reject cover letters that are too long or too short without reading them fully. Cover letters under 200 words appear rushed and incomplete, while those over 500 words risk losing the reader's attention. The goal is to provide enough information to interest the employer while respecting their time.

But length is just one part of what makes a cover letter work. HR managers say they want cover letters that quickly show why someone is right for the job. A good cover letter uses its limited space to connect your skills to the job requirements. For example, if a job asks for team leadership skills, your cover letter should briefly mention times you led teams successfully.

Many job seekers worry about fitting all their experience into such a short space. The key is understanding that a cover letter is not meant to tell your whole work history. Instead, it should highlight the parts of your background that matter most for the specific job you want. Think of it as a brief introduction that makes the hiring manager want to learn more about you in an interview.

The most successful cover letters follow this length guide while answering basic questions hiring managers have, such as why you want the job and what makes you a good fit. They also naturally lead into interview questions like "Why are you interested in this position?" by touching on key points you can expand on later.

Remember that these length guidelines work for both printed and emailed cover letters. If you send your cover letter in an email, the same rules apply, though you might want to stay closer to the shorter end of the range since people tend to read less on screens.

The Main Parts of a Cover Letter

A well-written cover letter has four main sections that fit within the recommended 250 to 400 word length, according to a Coursera analysis of successful cover letters. Understanding these parts helps you use your space wisely and include all important information.

The first part is your contact information and greeting, which takes about 10% of your cover letter space. This section includes your full name, phone number, email, and a greeting to the hiring manager. When possible, use the hiring manager's name instead of "To Whom It May Concern." Your contact details should be clear but brief.

The introduction paragraph uses about 20% of your cover letter space. This part tells the employer which job you want and how you found out about it. A good introduction is two to three sentences long. It should mention the job title and company name, plus one interesting fact about why you want to work there.

The middle paragraphs make up about 50% of your cover letter length. This is where you talk about your work experience and skills that match the job requirements. Use two paragraphs here. The first paragraph should focus on your most relevant job experience. The second paragraph can discuss other helpful skills or achievements that make you right for the job.

The closing paragraph takes the final 20% of your cover letter space. This part should be three to four sentences long. Thank the reader for their time, say you would like an interview, and include your contact information again. Many people also mention when they will follow up about the application.

Each of these parts works together to answer common questions employers have during interviews. For example, when an interviewer asks "Why are you interested in this position," your introduction and middle paragraphs already outline the main points of your answer. By following this structure, you create a cover letter that is the right length and includes all necessary information without being too long or too short.

Remember that these sections should flow naturally from one to the next. Keep your writing clear and simple. Avoid using complicated words or long sentences. This makes your cover letter easy to read and understand in the short time most hiring managers spend reviewing applications.

How Cover Letter Length Changes by Job Type

Different jobs and industries have their own expectations for cover letter length. Understanding these differences helps you create a cover letter that matches what employers in your field want to see.

Entry Level Jobs (200 to 300 words)

Entry level positions usually need shorter cover letters because you have less work experience to discuss. Focus on relevant coursework, internships, and skills that show your potential. For example, if you are applying for an entry level marketing job, write about your social media experience from college clubs or class projects. Keep your cover letter closer to 200 words to show you can communicate clearly without padding your experience.

Technical and IT Roles (300 to 350 words)

Technical jobs like software development or data analysis need cover letters that focus on specific skills and certifications. Your cover letter should list your technical abilities and give examples of projects you completed. For instance, a software developer might write about creating a specific application or solving a complex coding problem. Use about 300 words to show both your technical knowledge and your ability to explain complex ideas simply.

Creative Positions (350 to 400 words)

Jobs in writing, design, or marketing often allow slightly longer cover letters. These roles value communication skills, so employers expect more detailed examples of your creative work. A graphic designer might describe their design process for a successful campaign, or a content writer might explain how they increased website traffic through their articles. Use up to 400 words to show your creative thinking and results.

Management Positions (350 to 400 words)

Leadership roles need cover letters that show both experience and people skills. Your letter should include examples of teams you led and problems you solved. For example, a sales manager might write about increasing team performance by 25% or developing a new training program. Use the full 400 words to demonstrate your leadership style and achievements.

Customer Service Roles (250 to 300 words)

Customer service positions need cover letters that show your communication and problem solving abilities. Focus on specific times you helped customers and improved service quality. For example, you might write about how you handled difficult customers or improved customer satisfaction scores. Keep your letter around 300 words to show you can communicate clearly and briefly.

Government Jobs (400 words)

Government positions often need longer cover letters because they have specific requirements you must address. These letters should mention exact qualifications from the job posting and how your experience matches them. Use the full 400 words to show you meet all government requirements while keeping your writing clear and direct.

Healthcare Positions (300 to 350 words)

Medical and healthcare jobs need cover letters that balance technical knowledge with patient care skills. Write about your certifications and experience while also showing your ability to work with patients and other healthcare workers. A nurse might write about both their medical skills and their approach to patient care. Use about 350 words to cover both technical and personal qualities.

Remember that these lengths are suggestions based on industry standards. Always check the job posting for specific requirements about cover letter length. Some companies might ask for shorter or longer letters. The most important thing is to write clearly and include relevant information for the job, no matter what field you work in.

Making Your Cover Letter Work for Interviews

A well written cover letter does more than get you an interview. It also helps you prepare for common interview questions. Your cover letter content can become the foundation for your interview answers, making you more confident and prepared.

Here are the most common interview questions your cover letter should prepare you for:

Why are you interested in this position?
Tell me about your relevant experience
What makes you the best fit for this role?
Why do you want to work for our company?
What are your biggest achievements?

Your cover letter already includes brief answers to these questions. During the interview, you can expand on these points with more details. For example, if your cover letter mentions leading a team project, you can share more specific details about your leadership style and results during the interview.

The way you write about your experience matters too. Many job seekers create their application materials using modern AI powered tools to ensure they include relevant keywords and achievements that interviewers look for. This helps them structure their experiences in a way that naturally flows into interview conversations.

Strong cover letters also show these important qualities that interviewers want to see:

Clear communication skills
Attention to detail
Understanding of the company
Specific examples of achievements
Professional writing ability

When interviewers ask about your experience, they often refer to points from your cover letter. This is why including specific numbers and achievements is important. For example, instead of saying you "improved sales," write that you "increased sales by 30% in six months." During the interview, you can then explain how you achieved this result.

Your cover letter introduction also helps you answer questions about company knowledge. If you mentioned specific company projects or values in your cover letter, be ready to discuss them more during the interview. This shows you researched the company and have genuine interest in working there.

The skills section of your cover letter becomes especially useful when interviewers ask about your abilities. You should be ready to give more examples of how you used each skill you listed. If your cover letter mentions project management skills, prepare stories about specific projects you managed successfully.

Remember to keep your answers consistent with your cover letter but add more detail. Think of your cover letter as an outline and your interview answers as the full story. Your interview answers should expand on your cover letter points without contradicting them.

The closing paragraph of your cover letter can also prepare you for end of interview questions. If you expressed enthusiasm about contributing to specific company goals, be ready to discuss those goals in more detail. This shows you meant what you wrote and have thought seriously about how you can help the company.

Having a clear, well organized cover letter makes interview preparation easier. When you write your cover letter with both application and interview success in mind, you create a strong foundation for the entire hiring process.

Steps to Get Your Cover Letter Length Right

Getting your cover letter length right is simpler when you follow a clear process. Here are the key steps to make sure your cover letter says everything it needs to within the ideal 250 to 400 word limit.

Start with the basic format:

Use 1 inch margins
Choose 12 point font
Pick common fonts like Arial or Times New Roman
Use single spacing with a space between paragraphs

Count your words for each section:

Contact information: 30 to 50 words
Introduction: 50 to 100 words
Experience paragraphs: 100 to 150 words
Closing paragraph: 50 to 75 words

Many job seekers find it helpful to create their cover letter section by section rather than trying to write everything at once. This makes it easier to control the length of each part and ensure nothing important gets left out.

Remove unnecessary words and phrases that take up space without adding value. For example:

Instead of "I am writing to apply" just say "I am applying"
Replace "Due to the fact that" with "Because"
Cut "In my opinion" since the whole letter is your opinion

Look for repeated information. Common areas where people repeat themselves include:

Stating their name multiple times
Listing the same skills in different sections
Mentioning the job title more than needed
Writing their contact information twice

Check that every sentence serves a purpose. Each line should either show your qualifications or explain why you want the job. Remove sentences that just fill space or state obvious things like "You can contact me at the above email address."

Test your cover letter length by reading it out loud. It should take about one to two minutes to read. If it takes longer, you probably need to make it shorter.

Remember that different jobs might need slightly different lengths, but staying between 250 and 400 words works for most positions. The most important thing is to include relevant information about your skills and experience while keeping your writing clear and direct.