Cover Letter Length?

Fruitloops

Earlier, I had to use an agency website's online application form when applying for a position and when it came to the covering letter section, there was quite a restrictive word limit. I had to significantly cut down what I wanted to say and this got me thinking; should I be sending out much shorter cover letters? Does anybody have a particular etiquette about length when writing their cover letters?

AP007

Fruitloops wrote: »

Earlier, I had to use an agency website's online application form when applying for a position and when it came to the covering letter section, there was quite a restrictive word limit. I had to significantly cut down what I wanted to say and this got me thinking; should I be sending out much shorter cover letters? Does anybody have a particular etiquette about length when writing their cover letters?

I have noticed on sites like http://www.secsinthecity.co.uk the cover letter is small/smaller and I have mine on that site at 339 words.

My other cover letter is 451 words. Sounds a lot but its not really by the time you get going.

Wyndham

Imagine you are the 100th cover letter the person who is looking at it is reading that day - you need to get their attention quickly. Yes, add more to highlight key skills, then put the rest in the application/CV. The cover letter is an invitation to read on.... too long, you've lost them.

cte1111

A couple of paragraphs usually

Lorian

And your important message should be in the first of them.

Denning.

I wouldn't use a cover letter at all, nor a personal statement.

auldblerk

Sometimes it's a requirement, it is part of the application process.

marybelle01

It depends on the vacancy, and the level of skills/experience required. Everyone wants concise and no rambling. For a basic post that may mean two paragraphs - for my type of job it's four to five A4 pages! So the key is concise - whatever it is you are being concise about. Look at the person spec, if there is one, and ensure that you have addressed every single item on it, either in the supporting statement or in the application. If you have done that, you have done the job required, and it is down to crossing your fingers!

Denning.

auldblerk wrote: »

Sometimes it's a requirement, it is part of the application process.

As in 'please send CV and cover letter to...'?

I still wouldn't, and don't. Adverts are often created by those who don't even go through the applications. If you can't write a good cover letter then don't attempt to, it will do more harm than good.

It is all down to personal styles, same with CV layout. I prefer to drop all the BS and just have 1 A4 page.

1/2 - How I meet the key words in the advert.
3/8 - Work History
1/8 - Education
send.

[Deleted User]

I have recently applied for a job where I was asked to complete the application form and send it in together with a HANDWRITTEN letter. What's more, there was no space on the application form to write anything about why you wanted the job or what skills etc you have to bring to it so all that had to be included in the cover letter.

It's quite a high level job and I must admit I found it really hard to know what to do. I ended up writing 2 sides of A4. It felt like a catch-22 - too long and you would lose their interest but too short and you had no opportunity to sell yourself

brz3igler

Hi. I believe CV length, most especially the number of words in a cover letter doesn't really matter. The employer won't count the words anyway. The reason why online application forms sometimes have character limit is to make sure that you go straight to the point, become clear enough to communicate to them why they should hire you thus allowing you to tell them your skills and expertise without you going around the bush.

I also think flowering words are ok but really a NO NO for a brief yet comprehensive cover letter unless you're applying for a creative writing job, literature related & etc (ALSO IF INDICATED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS). If I were the employer or interviewer/HR manager, I'd go read first the cover letter which looks long enough and wouldn't strain my eyes at first glance at the same time it is short but enough to cover all the necessary details I should know about the one applying for the job.

Remember:
-> Use POWERFUL words
-> Go straight to the point
-> Be HONEST, don't write too much just to impress
-> Be CONFIDENT in yourself

GOODLUCK! :j