What is considered a brief cover letter?

Asked by: Kraig Welch  |  Last update: July 16, 2025
Score: 4.1/5 (75 votes)

As a general guideline, a short cover letter should be between 100 and 200 words, or about half a page, single-spaced. This length is just enough to express your interest in the job, showcase your relevant skills, and leave the hiring manager eager to learn more about you from your resume.

What is a brief cover letter?

You can also use a short cover letter as an opportunity to briefly express your personal interest or experience with the company you want to work for, which shows the work you put into familiarizing yourself with the company before being hired or interviewed.

What is considered a short cover letter?

A cover letter should be between a half and a full page long. Generally, you should aim for a cover letter word count of 250 to 400 words and about three to six paragraphs.

What should a short cover letter look like?

- Opening Paragraph: Introduce yourself and state the position you are applying for. - Middle Paragraph(s): Highlight your relevant skills, experiences, and achievements. - Closing Paragraph: Reiterate your interest in the role and the company, and thank the reader for their time. Good luck with your cover letter!

What is the rule of 3 in a cover letter?

Beyond that, Siegel boils down the most important things to include in a cover letter to three points. "Show enthusiasm, show you've done research, and show you want to come in there and make a contribution," he says.

The 4 Sentence Cover Letter That Gets You The Job Interview

39 related questions found

What are the 3 golden rules in writing the cover letter?

Write an Amazing Cover Letter: 3 Golden Rules
  • Hook the hiring manager. The first paragraph of your cover letter is extremely important. ...
  • Start by writing about the company. ...
  • 3.It is not just about your professional experience. ...
  • Conclusion.

How to write a killer cover letter?

Writing a Killer Cover Letter
  1. Make a good impression beginning with the opening. ...
  2. Make it unique to the job. ...
  3. Make sure to write clearly. ...
  4. Include relevant experience. ...
  5. Be careful not to just repeat what's on your resume. ...
  6. Offer specific examples of what you've done. ...
  7. Finish strong.

What is an example of a quick cover letter?

Some examples include: I am writing to express my interest in the position of _______________. Your advertisement in the ____________ for a ______________ seems to perfectly match my background and experience. I am writing to you at the recommendation of ____________________.

What is the first sentence of a cover letter?

Start with a belief statement. Impress the hiring manager by opening up with a short and impactful belief statement that mirrors the organization's values and goals. Make sure your writing is original, and aim to relate the statement to the mission statement of the employer.

How do I make my cover letter stand out?

Writing a Stand-Out Cover Letter
  1. Start fresh for each position you're applying to. ...
  2. Address your letter to a real person. ...
  3. Adopt a positive mindset. ...
  4. Grab attention with your opening line. ...
  5. Explain why you're the best candidate. ...
  6. Show them why you want THIS job. ...
  7. Finish strong. ...
  8. Sit on it.

What is an example of a good covering letter?

I am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies in your company. I enclose my CV for your information. As you can see, I have had extensive vacation work experience in office environments, the retail sector and service industries, giving me varied skills and the ability to work with many different types of people.

How do I close off a cover letter?

Offer thanks for their time and consideration, and choose a professional closing salutation such as, “Sincerely,” “Best regards” or “Thank you for your consideration.” Avoid overly familiar phrases like, “Yours,” “Cheers” or “Take care.”

How do you format a simple cover letter?

Here's a breakdown of how a cover letter should be structured:
  1. Add your name and contact information to the header. ...
  2. Open with a salutation. ...
  3. Write a compelling introduction. ...
  4. Elaborate on your achievements in the body paragraph(s) ...
  5. Conclude with a call to action. ...
  6. End with a professional sign-off.

How long should a brief cover letter be?

Do Be Concise: Cover letters should be one page long and divided into three to four paragraphs. The first paragraph should indicate the reason you are writing and how you heard about the position. Include attention grabbing, yet professional, information.

How do I start off a cover letter?

State clearly in your opening sentence the purpose for your letter and a brief professional introduction. Specify why you are interested in that specific position and organization. Provide an overview of the main strengths and skills you will bring to the role.

What is a concise cover letter?

Short cover letters are job application documents that are less than one page long. They are concise and provide information necessary to help the hiring manager decide whether you're the right person to hire.

How to write an eye catching cover letter?

Writing a Compelling Cover Letter
  1. Introduce Yourself. Grab the reader's interest with your opening paragraph. ...
  2. Explain Why You Are the Best Candidate. Next, describe what you can bring to the role. ...
  3. Be Enthusiastic About the Role. ...
  4. Summarize and Request a Follow-Up.

What to say instead of "Dear hiring Manager"?

If you're unable to find the name of the hiring manager and you don't want to use "Dear Hiring Manager," here are a few alternatives that you may consider: Dear Recruiter or Recruiting Manager : Addressing your cover letter to a recruiter is appropriate if you know a recruiter is handling the hiring process.

What does the beginning of a cover letter look like?

Begin your cover letter with your contact information. It should be in block style, on the left margin of your paper, towards the top. Include a date as you would do with any business letter.

What is a mini cover letter?

As a general guideline, a short cover letter should be between 100 and 200 words, or about half a page, single-spaced. This length is just enough to express your interest in the job, showcase your relevant skills, and leave the hiring manager eager to learn more about you from your resume.

How to write a short and simple cover letter?

When writing a cover letter, you should:
  1. introduce yourself.
  2. mention the job (or type of job) you're applying for (or looking for)
  3. show that your skills and experience match the skills and experience needed to do the job.
  4. encourage the reader to read your resume.

What is the first paragraph of a cover letter?

1st paragraph: State why you are writing, the position or type of work for which you are applying. Mention how you heard of the vacancy. 2nd paragraph: Discuss why you are interested in this position, the company , and its products. Describe your background (skills, accomplishments, and abilities).

What is the best closing sentence for a cover letter?

Cover letter closing examples
  • In my career, I've consistently leveraged data while managing marketing campaigns, including reviewing performance metrics and making adjustments to improve email open rates by as much as 200%. ...
  • Thank you for considering my application. ...
  • Thank you for your time and consideration.

How do you write a crisp cover letter?

How To Write A Short Cover Letter?
  1. Begin with a header. If the job description provides the name of the recruiter, mention it here, along with the company's address. ...
  2. Greet the recruiter. ...
  3. Introduce yourself. ...
  4. Mention your qualifications. ...
  5. Discuss your goals. ...
  6. Include a call to action. ...
  7. Sign the letter.

How do you stand out in a cover letter?

Don't rehash your resume

Here's a quick checklist of key functions a targeted cover letter should accomplish: Relate your skills and experience to the job description and requested qualifications. Explain why you would love to have the job. Show you've researched the company by commenting on its mission or leadership.