Average Cover Letter Length

Alright, let’s talk about how long your cover letter should be. It’s one of those questions people stress over way more than they need to. Honestly, I still get emails from clients asking if their letter should be one page, two pages, or barely a paragraph. So let’s clear this up.

Here’s the quick answer: one page. That’s it. Your cover letter should be short enough to fit neatly on one page but long enough to say something meaningful. If you’ve written two pages or more, you’re overdoing it. And if you’ve got just two or three sentences, well, that’s not really a cover letter.

Why one page works

Recruiters don’t have time to read novels. They’ve got a stack of applications sitting on their desk or a sea of resumes in their inbox. The faster they can skim through your cover letter and get the point, the better. And I mean skim, most recruiters aren’t reading every word. They’re scanning for key phrases that show you’re qualified and enthusiastic.

Another reason to stick to one page? It forces you to focus. You’re not rambling about your entire career history or stuffing the letter with generic fluff. You’re picking the most relevant skills and experiences for the job and showing how they make you a great candidate.

What it should actually look like

So, one page, but how do you fill it without going overboard? Think of it in terms of three sections. Start with a simple introduction that mentions the job you’re applying for and why you’re interested. Then move into the meat of the letter, this is where you highlight one or two key experiences or skills that match the job requirements. Finally, wrap it up with a confident closing, maybe saying how excited you are to discuss the role further.

And don’t forget, this isn’t a word count game. You’re not aiming for exactly 300 or 400 words. Just keep it concise, professional, and relevant. If you end up with half a page, that’s fine too. As long as you’re saying what needs to be said, you’re golden.

Stop overthinking it

People make cover letters harder than they need to be. It’s supposed to be a quick introduction, not your autobiography. Write it, proofread it, and move on. If you’re spending hours agonizing over whether it’s too short or too long, you’re wasting time that could be better spent preparing for interviews or researching the company.

Here’s something I’ve learned after years of doing this, most hiring managers aren’t looking for perfection in your cover letter. They just want to see you’ve put in effort and can communicate effectively. So don’t stress over every little detail. Get your point across and keep it simple.

The takeaway? A cover letter doesn’t need to be complicated. One page, focused, and relevant, that’s all you need.