A well-crafted resume and a good cover letter, with an ideal cover letter length, can significantly increase your chances of getting invited to an interview. This claim is supported by a 2021 survey conducted by ResumeLab. According to their report, 83% of HR staff said that a cover letter is an important factor for their hiring and helps applicants secure a job interview.
But what is a cover letter, and why is it important that you learn how to write one? A cover letter is a one-page document that is submitted together with your resume. It summarizes your professional background and accomplishments. The ideal length of a cover letter is 200-400 words long. A good resume should also be one page long and typically only includes important points to make the resume concise and don’t exceed one page.
How to Write a Cover Letter
A cover letter is usually composed of several sections:
- Contact Information
- Greeting/Salutation
- Introduction
- Body (composed of 3-4 paragraphs)
- Conclusion
- Call To Action/Closing.
You should also keep in mind what to avoid in writing a cover letter, not complying with the employer’s instructions, not tailoring your cover letter to specifically target the position that you are applying for, failing to highlight your notable contributions, and not including related keywords or phrases to the position.
Ideal Cover Letter Length and Examples
Here are five cover letter tips and examples of the ideal cover letter length to catch the recruiter’s attention and give yourself a better chance of landing an interview.
Project Manager Position
The cover letter length should be one-page maximum, highlighting facts. See the example below:
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I was thrilled to see your job listing for the project manager position at XYZ Company. With 7+ years of solid experience in project management, I am confident that my project planning and risk management capabilities make me an ideal candidate to fulfill this position successfully.
During my time working as a project manager at ABC Company, I was the person-in-charge in leading a medium-sized web development team. I worked on the company’s critical projects, including redesigning our website. As a result, I helped reduce costs by 35% and increase revenue by $200,000 in 6 months.
I earned recognition for my ability to delegate tasks effectively and help oversee and approve resource allocation. This success has been acknowledged on different occasions, including being awarded the “Top Project Manager of the Year” distinction in 2018 and 2019.
Now that XYZ Company is expanding its operations, I am eager to bring my skills working with global clients. I admire XYZ Company’s commitment to providing the best customer service, and I am excited to take on your portfolio of stellar work.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I’m looking forward to learning more about the project manager position and about XYZ Company. I believe that the above qualities and experience would make me a valuable addition to your company. Please feel free to contact me if there is any more information you would like me to provide.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Assistant Manager Position
Use a snappy first sentence by highlighting your passion, strengths, or accomplishments. You can also use bullet points to your achievements so that the hiring manager can easily notice and scan what you have already proved professionally.
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
As a result-oriented and hardworking management professional with strong analytical and leadership skills, I felt compelled to apply for the assistant manager position at your Company. Upon reviewing your job posting, I knew that my experiences and abilities perfectly match your requirements.
I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of California and 6+ years experience of working as an assistant manager in several companies, which have further enhance my skills. I’ve been consistently recognized for delivering excellent customer service, generating sales, and achieving profitable targets. Please consider the following highlights of my top accomplishments for the past years:
- Reduced operating cost by 17% and increased customer loyalty by 64%.
- Implemented an updated invoicing process and recommended purchasing software to track all invoices and address issues in a timely manner.
- Improved the company’s profitability by $126,000 monthly.
- Increased orders from 35% to 60%, and repeat orders to 27% within a year.
I’m sure that my proven accomplishments to manage and maintain the highest standards as a management professional will greatly benefit XYZ Company. I would love to bring my knowledge and skills to XYZ Company and would greatly appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and discuss my qualifications and the details of your requirements.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
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Customer Support Representative (CSR) Position
Tailor your cover letter to a specific job to make a positive impression. Gather facts and figures to support your claims and include those in your cover letter.
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I’m writing to apply for the customer support representative (CSR) position at the XXX Company. As a dynamic CSR with 3+ years of professional experience maximizing customer satisfaction through exceptional customer service, I believe that I possess a breadth of knowledge and can offer new ideas to help XXX Company grow and surpass all objectives.
During my previous role at AAA Company, I have managed customer communications and concerns in a timely and professional manner. I also took initiatives to improve AAA Company’s customer service, satisfaction, and retention. My duties include making 70 cold calls a day resolving any issues customers have with a product. As a bonus, I was consistently at the top of the list for most positive customer feedback, maintaining a 99% positive customer service survey.
My experience at AAA Company has honed my leadership skills, organizational skills and provided me with extensive knowledge of customer service while handling technical support for clients. By providing impeccable customer service, I was able to spread the positive word of mouth that led to AAA Company ranked top among the Top 100 Companies to Work For in 2019.
I feel confident that my experience fulfills the requirements for the customer service representative position at the XXX Company. I am looking forward to discussing my qualifications with you more soon. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Administrative Support Position
Use a captivating closing paragraph by ending your cover letter with enthusiasm. Reiterate your qualifications, state your goals and expectations, and show gratitude.
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I write in response to your ad seeking an administrative support position at XYZ Company. Having read through your job description, I am excited to apply for this position as my skill set and 6+ years of experience match the requirement you are looking for.
I always exceed expectations, excel at meeting deadlines, and work with a wide variety of people. I enjoy the challenges of working in an office environment and meeting business goals. The CEO values me in my previous position at ABC Company as I provide administrative support for six senior-level executives. I coordinate various schedules, keeping meetings, travel arrangements, and office supplies organized at all times. I also spearheaded different special projects, increasing office efficiency, which resulted in a 30% increase in productivity in 2020 compared to the previous years.
The ability to handle pressure in a fast-paced work environment is indicated in the job posting. In addition, my expertise in Microsoft Office, calm nature, and organizational and communication skills allow me to work under pressure and ensure efficient office workflow.
I am excited to learn more details about the administrative support position and believe that I am highly qualified for this position and can be a valuable asset to Company XYZ. Thank you for taking the time to review and consider my job application.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) Position
Finish your cover letter with a standard and professional sign-off, such as:
- Sincerely
- Best regards
- Best
- Regards
- Respectfully
- Thank you
- Kind regards
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I’m writing to express my interest in the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) position at XYZ Company. When I read the job description, I felt compelled to submit the enclosed resume. I am confident that the job responsibilities align with my skills and that I could greatly contribute to your organization.
Having worked as a CPA for more than 6 years, I have displayed the ability to use financial instruments and accounting software, successfully execute any tasks related to accounting, from assisting in the maintenance of financial systems to reviewing tax returns. I excel in overseeing accounting operations and demonstrating my ability to manage special projects. I also excel at resolving financial issues, implementing new procedures, and maintaining confidential documents. These led to my promotion to a senior financial analyst at my previous company within 2 years.
I am confident that my background, accomplishments, and skills are aligned with what your company is seeking in a CPA. In addition, I admire your company’s mission and vision, and I hope to contribute to this mission as I am also a people-oriented person who wants to help businesses thrive.
I hope to discuss my eligibility for the role and how I would be an asset to XYZ Company.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
If you need more guidance in perfecting your cover letter and want to increase the probability of getting your application noticed, investing in online courses can give you an in-depth understanding of writing an effective cover letter. As a result, you can write your cover letter specifically targeting the job position faster than spending hours researching and editing cover letter templates.
Learn how to write a winning cover letter. Sign up for career development courses at Skill Success!
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