How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

At times, it seems as if the proper length of a cover letter may rank alongside religion and politics as one of the more heavily debated topics.  Every professional magazine and influencer has an opinion on what is right in terms of page limit and word length.

But the short answer is, there is no one single length that is universally right for all applicants in all situations.  In reality, the ideal length of a cover letter often comes down to the nature of one’s profession, along with whatever the job posting requires.

That said, there are some general rules that can help serve as guides when you are applying for your next job and trying to decide how long your cover letter should be.

The Purpose of the Cover Letter

The best place to start in trying to understand how long your cover letter should be is to understand the purpose of a cover letter.  Quite simply, the cover letter is meant to quickly introduce yourself to a prospective employer and provide details into why you are interested in the position.  A cover letter is also used to highlight relevant skills and experiences not detailed in the resume, and demonstrate how your qualifications align with the company’s needs.

Meaning, if you are applying for a position that requires a lengthy curriculum vitae, or very technical skills, you may need more space to describe to a prospective employer why you are the best candidate.  Whereas, if you are applying for a position that only needs you to showcase how your personality fits the role, you can do that in fewer words.

The Default Length

The default length (which again is not necessarily the perfect length) is typically less than a page – somewhere around three to four paragraphs long or 250 to 400 words.

The reason that this is the default length is that it helps candidates draft a concise, pithy letter that offers just enough information to highlight the key points without overwhelming the reader.  A job posting could get hundreds (even thousands) of applications.  And hiring managers do not have time to read multi-page letters for each applicant.

Exceptions to the Rule

As discussed, a cover letter should generally be limited to several paragraphs on a single page.  But there are instances where it might be appropriate or necessary for your cover letter to exceed the standard length.

Once such instance is whenever the type of position calls for it.  Senior-level roles, academic positions, or jobs with a significant creative or technical component may require detailed explanations of qualifications that will take up more space than a single page.

Another instance could be if the job description calls for it.  While uncommon, some job postings may specifically ask for a longer cover letter or require the applicant to draft responses to certain questions. In these situations, you should follow the requirements and not think you will be rewarded for keeping the cover letter to a single page.

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