how long is the cover letter

How to Write a Cover Letter: Your Full Guide (With Tips and Examples)

It’s a familiar cycle: You sit down to write a cover letter, open a blank document, check your email, browse cover letter examples , do some chores, watch that cursor blink a few more times, and finally Google something like “how to write a cover letter”—which hopefully brought you here. But you still might be thinking, does anyone really read cover letters? Why do they even exist?

First: Yes, we can assure you that cover letters do, in fact, get read. To some hiring managers, they’re the most important part of your job application. And regardless, you don’t want to miss the opportunity to tell prospective employers who you are, showcase why they should hire you, and stand out above all the other candidates.

To ensure your letter is in amazing shape (and crafting it is as painless as possible), we’ve got easy-to-follow steps plus examples, a few bonus tips, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Get that cover letter out there! Browse open jobs on The Muse and find your dream job »

What is a cover letter and why is it important?

A cover letter is a brief (one page or less) note that you write to a hiring manager or recruiter to go along with your resume and other application materials.

Done well, a cover letter gives you the chance to speak directly to how your skills and experience line up with the specific job you’re pursuing. It also affords you an opportunity to hint to the reviewer that you’re likable, original, and likely to be a great addition to the team.

Instead of using cover letters to their strategic advantage, most job applicants blabber on and on about what they want, toss out bland, cliché-filled paragraphs that essentially just regurgitate their resume, or go off on some strange tangent in an effort to be unique. Given this reality, imagine the leg up you’ll have once you learn how to do cover letters right.

How long should a cover letter be?

An ideal cover letter typically ranges from a half page to one full page. Aim to structure it into four paragraphs, totaling around 250 to 400 words, unless the job posting states otherwise. Some employers may have specific guidelines like word or character limits, writing prompt, or questions to address. In such cases, be sure to follow these instructions from the job posting.

How to write a cover letter hiring managers will love

Now that you’re sold on how important cover letters are, here are eight steps to writing one that screams, “I’m a great hire!”

Step 1: Write a fresh cover letter for each job (but yes, you can use a template)

Sure, it’s way faster and easier to take the cover letter you wrote for your last application, change the name of the company, and send it off. But most employers want to see that you’re truly excited about the specific position and organization—which means creating a custom letter for each position.

While it’s OK to recycle a few strong sentences and phrases from one cover letter to the next, don’t even think about sending out a 100% generic letter. “Dear Hiring Manager, I am excited to apply to the open position at your company” is an immediate signal to recruiters and hiring managers that you’re mass-applying to every job listing that pops up on LinkedIn.

At the same time, there’s nothing that says you can’t get a little help: Try out one of our free cover letter templates to make the process a bit easier.

Step 2: Add your contact info

At the top of your cover letter, you should list out your basic info. You can even copy the same heading from your resume if you’d like. Some contact info you might include (and the order to include it in):

• Your pronouns (optional)
• Your location (optional)
• Your email address
• Your phone number (optional)
• Your Linkedin, portfolio, or personal website URL (optional)

Note that only name and email are mandatory, and you don’t need to put a full address on a cover letter or resume anymore. A city and state (or metro area) are more than enough. So your header might look like this:

Inigo Montoya he/him Florin Metropolitan Area [email protected] 555-999-2222

If the job posting tells you to submit your cover letter in the body of an email, you can add your contact info at the end, after your name (and if you’d like to forgo the email address here, you can—they have it already). So your sign off could look like this:

Violet Baudelaire she/her [email protected] 123-123-1234

https://www.linkedin.com/in/violet-baudelaire/

Step 3: Address your cover letter to the hiring manager—preferably by name

The most traditional way to address a cover letter is to use the person’s first and last name, including “Mr.” or “Ms.” (for example, “Dear Ms. Jane Smith” or just “Dear Ms. Smith”). But to avoid accidentally using the wrong title—or worse, inadvertently misgendering someone—first and last name also work just fine.

If “Dear” feels a bit too stiff, try “Hello.” But never use generic salutations like “ To Whom it May Concern ” or “Dear Sir or Madam.”

For more help, read these rules for addressing your cover letter and a few tips for how to find the hiring manager .

Step 4: Craft an opening paragraph that’ll hook your reader

Your opening sets the stage for the whole cover letter. So you want it to be memorable, friendly, conversational, and hyper-relevant to the job you’re pursuing.

No need to lead with your name—the hiring manager can see it already. But it’s good to mention the job you’re applying for (they may be combing through candidates for half a dozen different jobs).

You could go with something simple like, “I am excited to apply for [job] with [Company].” But consider introducing yourself with a snappy first paragraph that highlights your excitement about the company you’re applying to, your passion for the work you do, and/or your past accomplishments.

This is a prime spot to include the “why” for your application. Make it very clear why you want this job at this company. Are you a longtime user of their products? Do you have experience solving a problem they’re working on? Do you love their brand voice or approach to product development? Do your research on the company (and check out their Muse profile if they have one) to find out.

Read this next: 30 Genius Cover Letter Openers Recruiters Will LOVE

Step 5: Convey why you’d be a great hire for this job

A common cover letter mistake is only talking about how great the position would be for you. Frankly, hiring managers are aware of that—what they really want to know is what you’re going to bring to the position and company.

So once you’ve got the opening under wraps, you should pull out a few key ideas that will make up the backbone of your cover letter. They should show that you understand what the organization is looking for and spell out how your background lines up with the position.

Study the job description for hints . What problems is the company looking to solve with this hire? What skills or experiences are mentioned high up, or more than once? These will likely be the most important qualifications.

If you tend to have a hard time singing your own praises and can’t nail down your strengths , here’s a quick trick: What would your favorite boss, your best friend, or your mentor say about you? How would they sing your praises? Use the answers to inform how you write about yourself. You can even weave in feedback you’ve received to strengthen your case (occasionally, don’t overuse this!). For example:

“When I oversaw our last office move, my color-coded spreadsheets covering every minute detail of the logistics were legendary; my manager said I was so organized, she’d trust me to plan an expedition to Mars.”

Step 6: Back up your qualifications with examples and numbers

Look at your list of qualifications from the previous step, and think of examples from your past that prove you have them. Go beyond your resume. Don’t just regurgitate what the hiring manager can read elsewhere.

Simply put, you want to paint a fuller picture of what experiences and accomplishments make you a great hire and show off what you can sashay through their doors with and deliver once you land the job.

For example, what tells a hiring manager more about your ability to win back former clients? This: “I was in charge of identifying and re-engaging former clients.” Or this: “By analyzing past client surveys, NPS scores, and KPIs, as well as simply picking up the phone, I was able to bring both a data-driven approach and a human touch to the task of re-engaging former clients.”

If you're having trouble figuring out how to do this, try asking yourself these questions and finding answers that line up with the qualifications you’ve chosen to focus on:

• What approach did you take to tackling one of the responsibilities you’ve mentioned on your resume?
• What details would you include if you were telling someone a (very short!) story about how you accomplished one of your resume bullet points?
• What about your personality, passion, or work ethic made you especially good at getting the job done?

Come up with your examples, then throw in a few numbers. Hiring managers love to see stats—they show you’ve had a measurable impact on an organization you’ve worked for. Did you bring in more clients than any of your peers? Put together an impressive number of events? Make a process at work 30% more efficient? Work it into your cover letter!

This might help: How to Quantify Your Resume Bullets (When You Don't Work With Numbers)

Step 7: Finish with a strong conclusion

It’s tempting to treat the final lines of your cover letter as a throwaway: “I look forward to hearing from you.” But your closing paragraph is your last chance to emphasize your enthusiasm for the company or how you’d be a great fit for the position. You can also use the end of your letter to add important details—like, say, the fact that you’re willing to relocate for the job.

Try something like this:

“I believe my energy, desire to innovate, and experience as a sales leader will serve OrangePurple Co. very well. I would love to meet to discuss the value I could add as your next West Coast Sales Director. I appreciate your consideration and hope to meet with you soon.”

Then be sure to sign off professionally , with an appropriate closing and your first and last name. (Need help? Here are three cover letter closing lines that make hiring managers grimace, plus some better options .)

Step 8: Reread and revise

We shouldn’t have to tell you to run your cover letter through spell-check, but remember that having your computer scan for typos isn’t the same as editing . Set your letter aside for a day or even just a few hours, and then read through it again with fresh eyes—you’ll probably notice some changes you want to make.

You might even want to ask a friend or family member to give it a look. In addition to asking them if they spot any errors, you should ask them two questions:

• Does this sell me as the best person for the job?
• Does it get you excited?

If the answer to either is “no,” or even slight hesitation, go back for another pass.

Cover letter examples

Here are four example cover letters that follow the advice given above. Keep in mind that different situations may require adjustments in your approach. For instance, experienced job seekers can emphasize accomplishments from previous roles, while those with less experience might highlight volunteer work, personal projects, or skills gained through education.

Example #1: Cover letter for a job application

Alia Farhat San Francisco Bay Area [email protected] 444-000-1111

Hello Danny Tanaka,

If I’m being honest, I still haven’t fully gotten over the death of my first Tamagotchi pet when I was six years old. (His name was Tommy, and I’ve gotten far more creative since then, I promise.) When I was older, I discovered NeoPets and I was hooked for years—not just on the site, but on the community that surrounded it. So when I heard about FantasyPets last year, I immediately started following news about your development process, and that’s how I saw your post looking for a marketing strategist. Not only do I have eight years of experience in digital marketing, but as a lifelong gamer with a passion for pet-focused titles who’s spent years in online communities with like-minded people, I also know exactly what kind of messaging resonates with your target audience.

You’re looking for someone to help you craft a social media marketing campaign to go along with your game launch, and I’ve been a part of three launch-day marketing campaigns for mobile and web-based games. In my current role as social media manager at Phun Inc., I proposed a campaign across Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok based on competitor research and analysis of our social campaigns for similar games to go along with the launch of the mobile game FarmWorld. Using my strategy of featuring both kids and adults in ads, we ended up driving over one million impressions and 80k downloads in the first three months.

I’ve always believed that the best way to find the right messaging for a game is to understand the audience and immerse myself in it as much as possible. I spend some of my research time on gaming forums and watching Twitch streams and Let’s Plays to see what really matters to the audience and how they talk about it. Of course, I always back my strategies up with data—I’m even responsible for training new members of the marketing team at Phun Inc. in Google AdWords and data visualization.

I believe that my passion for games exactly like yours, my digital marketing and market research experience, and my flair for turning data into actionable insights will help put FantasyPets on the map. I see so much promise in this game, and as a future player, I want to see its user base grow as much as you do. I appreciate your consideration for the marketing strategist role and hope to speak with you soon.

Alia Farhat

Example #2: Cover letter for an internship

Mariah Johnson

New York, NY [email protected] 555-000-1234

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to submit my application for the software development internship at Big Tech. As a student at New York University majoring in computer science with a keen interest in social studies, I believe I would be a good fit for the role. Big Tech's mission to promote equality and a more sustainable world is deeply inspiring, and I would be thrilled to contribute to this mission.

In a recent hackathon, I demonstrated my ability to lead a team in designing and developing an app that directs members of a small community to nearby electronics recycling centers. My team successfully developed a working prototype and presented it to a panel of industry experts who awarded us second place.

I’ve also been an active volunteer at my local library for over four years. During this time, I organized book donation drives, led book fairs, and conducted reading sessions with children. This experience strengthened my presentation and communication skills and confirmed my motivation stems from supporting a good cause. I would be more than happy to bring my passion and dedication to an organization whose mission resonates with me..

Through these experiences, along with my coursework in software engineering, I am confident I am able to navigate the challenges of the Big Tech internship program. I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you about my qualifications. Thank you for your consideration.

Example #3: Cover letter with no experience

Sarah Bergman

Philadelphia, PA [email protected] 1234-555-6789

Dear Chloe West,

I’m excited to apply for the entry-level copywriting position at Idea Agency. As a recent graduate from State University with a major in mass communications, I’m eager to delve deeper into copywriting for brands, marketing strategies, and their roles in the business world.

Over the past two years, I’ve completed courses in creative writing, copywriting, and essentials of digital marketing. I’ve also been actively involved in extracurricular activities, creating content and promoting student events across multiple online platforms. These experiences expanded my creativity, enhanced my teamwork skills, and strengthened my communication abilities.

As an admirer of your visionary marketing campaigns and Idea Agency’s commitment to sustainability, I’m enthusiastic about the prospect of joining your team. I'm confident that I can contribute to your future projects with inventive thinking and creative energy.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. Thank you for considering my application.

Best regards,

Example #4: Career change cover letter

Leslie Smith

Chicago, IL [email protected] 111-222-3344

Dear Paul Jones,

Over the past year, I’ve volunteered to represent my company at a local fair and there I discovered how much fun working face to face with clients would be. Everytime I sold a product for The Solar Company, I often wished it was my full-time job. Now, I'm excited to submit my application for the sales coordinator position with Bloom Sales.

After completing a degree in business administration, I decided to put my outgoing personality and strong communication skills to work as a sales specialist at The Solar Company. I’ve sharpened my presentation and critical thinking skills in client meetings and sourced more than $20,000 in new partnerships. This experience has given me an invaluable foundation, and now I’m confident it's the time to move business administration to sales coordination.

I’m comfortable seeking out new business opportunities, making cold calls, and selling potential clients on the advantages of Bloom Sales products. I attend an average of 10 in-person meetings a week, and interacting with a lot of different personalities is what excites me the most. As a detail-oriented, tech-savvy professional, I have advanced knowledge of Excel and data analysis.

I would love to learn more about your sales strategy for the second semester and discuss how my experience in business administration and client-facing sales exposure would help Bloom Sales achieve its goals. Thank you for your consideration.

Extra cover letter examples

• Pain point cover letter example
• Recent graduate cover letter example
• Stay-at-home parent returning to work cover letter example
• Sales cover letter example
• Email marketing manager cover letter example
• No job description or position cover letter example (a.k.a., a letter of intent or interest)
• Buzzfeed-style cover letter example
• Creative cover letter example (from the point-of-view of a dog)

Bonus cover letter tips to give you an edge over the competition

As you write your cover letter, here are a few more tips to consider to help you stand out from the stack of applicants:

• Keep it short and sweet: There are always exceptions to the rule, but in general, for resumes and cover letters alike, don’t go over a page. (Check out these tips for cutting down your cover letter .)
• Never apologize for your missing experience: When you don’t meet all of the job requirements, it’s tempting to use lines like, “Despite my limited experience as a manager…” or “While I may not have direct experience in marketing…” But why apologize ? Instead of drawing attention to your weaknesses, emphasize the strengths and transferable skills you do have.
• Strike the right tone: You want to find a balance between being excessively formal in your writing—which can make you come off as stiff or insincere—and being too conversational. Let your personality shine through, for sure, but also keep in mind that a cover letter shouldn’t sound like a text to an old friend.
• Consider writing in the company’s “voice:” Cover letters are a great way to show that you understand the environment and culture of the company and industry. Spending some time reading over the company website or stalking their social media before you get started can be a great way to get in the right mindset—you’ll get a sense for the company’s tone, language, and culture, which are all things you’ll want to mirror—especially if writing skills are a core part of the job.
• Go easy on the enthusiasm: We can’t tell you how many cover letters we’ve seen from people who are “absolutely thrilled for the opportunity” or “very excitedly applying!” Yes, you want to show personality, creativity, and excitement. But downplay the adverbs a bit, and keep the level of enthusiasm for the opportunity genuine and believable.

The bottom line with cover letters is this: They matter, much more than the naysayers will have you believe. If you nail yours, you could easily go from the “maybe” pile straight to “Oh, hell yes.”

Cover letter FAQs (a.k.a., everything else you need to know about cover letters)

• Are cover letters still necessary?
• Do I have to write a cover letter if it’s optional?
• Can I skip the cover letter for a tech job?
• What does it mean to write a cover letter for a resume?
• How can I write a simple cover letter in 30 minutes?
• How can I show personality in my cover letter?
• What should I name my cover letter file?
• Is a letter of intent different from a cover letter?
• Is a letter of interest different from a cover letter?

Regina Borsellino , Jenny Foss , and Amanda Cardoso contributed writing, reporting, and/or advice to this article.

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be in 2024?

Finally, an organization posted your dream job. You crafted a flawless resume and now you’re ready to apply. You land on the cover letter section of the application and see that it is optional. Is it truly optional?

Will not submitting make me less likely to land the job? Where do I even start and how long should the cover letter be?

These are some things that might run through your head. But don’t panic, we are here to help. No matter what your career level is, your cover letter can set you apart from the other applicants. But how much do you have to write?

This can be a complicated question. Too much text? The hiring manager might glance over it. Too short? The recruiter may think that you didn’t put much thought or effort into writing the cover letter . 

Cover letters should range from a half-page to one full page. Your cover letter should never exceed one page in length.

• Page Count: 0.5 to 1
• Word count: 250 to 400
• Paragraph count: 3 to 6

How to Keep Your Cover Letter to One Page

Tip #1: keep it concise.

While the cover letter is a great way to showcase your personality, it is also very important to be concise. Hiring managers are sifting through dozens, and maybe even hundreds, of applications.

They do not have time to read a full two-page article about your daily tasks. Instead, highlight any relevant experiences that show your qualifications for the specific job.

Demonstrate your passion for the industry and end the letter. The decision-maker will appreciate your brevity and may even reward you with an interview . 

Tip #2: Highlight Only Relevant Experiences

Unless the employer requests a specific word count, keep it short. Take only the amount of space required to show that you are an ideal candidate for the job.

Highlight your qualifications and any relevant stories. It’s important to be specific, and not regurgitate the content on your resume. 

It is very important here to showcase how your past achievements can help the company solve their current challenges and how you will use your skills if chosen for the position.

Doing so will show the recruiter or hiring manager the value you can bring to their organization. 

Tip #3: Break Your Cover Letter into Sections

An effective cover letter contains three to four paragraphs. It’s important to keep the sentences short so the reader can quickly navigate your cover letter.  

Paragraph #1: The Intro

The first paragraph should grab the decision-maker’s attention. This is an opportunity to show your interest in the position and knowledge of the company. Make sure you address your cover letter to the correct person or department. Always be sure to research the company and customize each cover letter to the position you are applying for. 

Example: “I am excited to submit my application for the position of [insert position name] with [insert company name]. I have watched your growth for years and really appreciate the devotion to serving your customer’s needs.” 

Paragraph #2: Your Qualifications

The second paragraph should highlight relevant stories or stats that impress your qualifications. For example, “In the previous company, I grew sales by 150% in my first year and 200% in my second year.” It is helpful if you can be specific in how you achieved success or benefited the company in some way. This highlights what you bring to the table and how you can make an impact on the hiring manager’s business. 

Paragraph #3: Your Interest in the Company

The third paragraph, if you choose to include it, can speak to what drew you to apply to the specific company. This can sway the hiring manager's decision by showing passion and loyalty to the company. 

Paragraph #4: The Closing

The final paragraph should reiterate your interest in the position. It is a great time to thank the reader for their consideration and request an in-person meeting. It’s important to have a call-to-action so the reader knows what to do next. Always include detailed contact information. 

Tip #4: Experience Level

Cover letters can vary based on your experience level. If you are applying for jobs right out of college, don’t include metrics measured in school, such as GPA, unless requested. Instead, focus on your experiences, projects and achievements that make you a strong candidate. 

If you are in the middle of your career, pick out relevant accomplishments and state your experience level. For example, “With 12 years of teaching experience, I am writing to express my interest in the open position in your Mathematics Department.” 

If you have more experience, you likely have more relevant qualifications and stories. This may entice you to make your cover letter longer. Do not fall into the trap.

Longer does not mean better . Select a few key successes and leave others for the interview process. 

Tip #5: Formatting

The format is just as important as the length of your cover letter. Pay attention to the amount of white space on the page. More white space keeps the content easier to read for the recruiter or hiring manager.

You want to make sure that you use a font that is legible (as the ones handpicked by our team together with recruiters). Keep standard margins and align your text to the left. 

Writing a cover letter can be intimidating. If you remember to keep your writing concise and highlight only your relevant experiences, you will be on your way to snagging an interview in no time.

Suggested Reading:

• How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024
• Resume Formats Guide: How to Pick the Best in 2024
• Cover Letter Examples

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How Long Should a Cover Letter Be? (Examples)

By Biron Clark

Published: November 10, 2023

Cover Letters

Biron Clark

Writer & Career Coach

If you’re wondering how long a cover letter should be, this article has everything you need to know (including exactly how many words to make your cover letter).

I’m going to share why most job seekers are making their cover letters far too long, and why you will likely get more job interviews by writing less in your cover letter.

Let’s get started…

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

Cover letters should be one page long and total 75 to 250 words. This recommendation applies to both printed and email cover letters. It’s okay if your cover letter doesn’t take up an entire page, but it should never exceed one full page.

Job seekers needing to explain gaps in employment , a recent change in career path, etc., may want to utilize more words in their cover letter than someone with a more standard background.

A job seeker who is staying within their current industry and career path (e.g. moving from Software Engineer to Senior Software Engineer) and not needing to explain a lengthy work gap should aim to be on the lower end of the recommended cover letter word count mentioned above — somewhere between 70 and 150 words.

As an example, my favorite cover letter template from Harvard Business Review has only 76 words:

As you customize this cover letter, the word count will likely rise a bit, but it’ll remain much shorter than what most job seekers send. And that’s a good thing!

This type of letter is going to be very different than what most job seekers are sending and what you’ve seen recommended online, and that’s often a plus.

Coming up soon, I’ll explain why a shorter cover letter may improve your odds of hearing back on a job application.

How Many Paragraphs Should a Cover Letter Include?

The typical cover letter should contain three to six paragraphs. Each paragraph should be relatively short, containing two to four sentences. This is especially important in the first paragraph of your cover letter, where you want to entice the reader and encourage them to keep reading by providing a short, punchy opening.

In general, when writing to grab someone’s attention, focus heavily on making the first paragraph compelling, because this is your first impression or “elevator pitch,” for why they should keep reading.

Now that you know how long a cover letter should be, let’s look at some specific benefits of using this length, which is shorter than some people recommend.

Reasons to Consider a Shorter Cover Letter

Now that you know how many words a cover letter should be, let’s talk about why I recommend this as the ideal length, even though some career experts recommend your cover letter be longer.

There are four things that happen when you keep your cover letter relatively short…

1. You Stand Out by Being Different

Here’s an example of a typical full-page cover letter that many job seekers are sending:

If you’ve sent something like that in the past, it’s NOT your fault…

Almost every website with cover letter templates recommends this format, and it’s what you’re constantly told to send.

But that’s the beauty of limiting your cover letter to my ideal cover letter length of 75 to 250 words. It’s different than what everyone else is doing!

From the first glance, you’re showing the hiring manager that your cover letter is unique and worth reading closely . You show that you’re not going to bore them half to sleep with yet another generic letter containing info from a template or info that’s already on your resume.

Whereas, if you send a full-page cover letter like the image/example above, the hiring manager is thinking, “Okay, here’s another huge page of info to read through that’s probably based on a template.”

This happens to them over and over, all day.

That brings me to my next benefit…

2. You Get Your Cover Letter Read (Not Skimmed!)

Most job seekers send cover letters that so long-winded that nobody wants to read them. The hiring manager may read to the second or third paragraph, but they’re unlikely to through to the end.

Beyond that, job hunters send cover letters that repeat information from their resume, which doesn’t provide any value to the hiring manager or recruiter .

But because your cover letter is short, and ideally has small paragraphs, it’s inviting to read. Hiring managers open your email or letter and think, “Great, I can read this no problem.”

So they read your cover letter from start to finish without skipping a word!

This is why you should always send the hiring manager a short cover letter where each line has a purpose and message and does something to sell them on why you deserve the interview.

You don’t have to take my word for it, though. Test it! Send half of your cover letters in the standard, full-page style seen above, but with the other half, test what I’m suggesting here. Greatly reduce the word count, get right to the point, only offer info that’s not on your resume.

We’ve now looked at two reasons why the full-page cover letter is not the ideal length/approach. But I’ve got two more reasons for you…

3. You Draw Attention to Your Strongest Points/Skills

If you’re naming 20 different skills and qualifications in your cover letter, it’s hard for a recruiter or hiring manager to pick out the most important pieces.

Whereas, if you just name your three or four strongest arguments for why you’d be a great fit for their job description, those points will stand out (and get read, as mentioned above).

Sometimes less is more, and with cover letters, it’s often the case!

So this is another factor to consider when deciding how long your cover letter should be.

4. You Get Your “Call to Action” Read So You Win More Interviews

Finally, you should end each cover letter with a “Call to Action,” which I’ll explain in the next section.

This is where you ask for the interview, which is something many job seekers don’t do properly (or don’t do at all) in their cover letter.

And by keeping your letter brief, this closing paragraph comes relatively quickly… sometimes as the third or fourth paragraph… so it’s much more likely to get the reader’s full attention which means you’ll get more interviews.

Recommended Cover Letter Font Size

The best font size for your cover letter is 12 points, whether you’re sending a printed or an email cover letter. Avoid fancy fonts and choose a simple, easy-to-read font like Calibri or Arial. Include plenty of white space and small, punchy paragraphs. It’s better to have multiple, concise paragraphs in your cover letter than one or two very long paragraphs. This helps with readability.

How to End Your Cover Letter: Ask for the Interview

This is one other mistake a lot of job seekers make with their cover letters, along with repeating info on the resume and just being far too long-winded. They don’t ask for the interview in their closing paragraph!

The whole point of the cover letter is to win you job interviews . So after you’ve got the specific word count you want, make sure to finish up by actually asking the hiring manager to call you and set up a time to discuss in more detail!

Here’s an example of how you could conclude an email cover letter:

I’d love to discuss the position over the phone and provide a bit more context for how I can help you in this role. Are you available for a phone call later this week or early next week? My phone number is 555-218-4987.

Or, simply use the cover letter conclusion from the first example in this article, from Harvard Business Review:

I have attached my resume for your review and would welcome the chance to speak with you sometime.

However, I prefer a slightly stronger conclusion to a cover letter that really prompts the hiring manager to reply to a direct question. That should get you more responses from your cover letter, no matter your cover letter length!

Conclusion: How Many Words Should a Cover Letter Be?

To reiterate how long a cover letter should be, I recommend sticking to 250 words or less and never exceeding one page.

It’s beneficial to keep your letter short and concise for both a printed cover letter and a cover letter sent by email.

The shorter format allows you to focus on your strongest points and grab the hiring manager’s attention without overwhelming them with too much text or info. This will help you get more interviews and separate you from other job seekers who send long, generic, cut-and-paste cover letters with their applications.

However, as mentioned earlier, the length of your cover letter will vary depending on the industry (in a very formal, traditional industry, you may want to go for a slightly longer word count).

If you have an unusual scenario to explain, then your ideal cover letter length may be longer, too.

So don’t take the advice above as a hard-and-fast rule, but just a general guideline on how long a typical cover letter should be to win more job interviews.

As a final step, make sure to proofread everything! Sending a cover letter with a typo or mistake can cost you the job interview even if you have great qualifications and writing style.

More cover letter resources:

• Do you need to send a cover letter?
• How to write a cover letter with no experience
• 3 steps to writing a cover letter that stands out

About the Author

Read more articles by Biron Clark

Continue Reading

How to Write a Graphic Designer Cover Letter (3 Examples)

How to write a paralegal cover letter (2 examples), how to write a medical assistant cover letter (3 examples), how to write a research assistant cover letter (3 examples), how to write a software engineer cover letter (3 examples), how to write a hr cover letter (4 examples), how to write a data analyst cover letter (3 examples), how to write a bartender cover letter (3 examples).

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How Long Should Should A Cover Letter Be? (With Examples)

• Cover Letter Format
• Salutation and Greeting
• Who To Address When Unknown
• How To Start A Cover Letter
• How To End A Cover Letter
• Best Cover Letter Font And Size
• Cover Letter Spacing
• Cover Letter Length
• Key Elements Of A Cover Letter
• How To Write An Address
• Official Letter Format
• Cover Letter Opening

Find a Job You Really Want In

Along with your resume , crafting a standout cover letter is one of the most important things you can do to get an interview for your dream job. In almost all cases, you should send a cover letter when applying for a job, unless the job posting explicitly says not to.

Now comes the tricky part: how long should a cover letter be? If you write too little, an employer may think you haven’t put much effort into your application and that you, therefore, aren’t serious about getting the job. But if you write too much, an employer may not bother reading it at all.

We’re here to show you what cover letter length employers find just right, so hiring managers will give your cover letter the attention it deserves.

Key Takeaways:

Your cover letter should be one page with three to six paragraphs and roughly 200-400 words long.

Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, and result) to write your cover letter.

Tailor your cover letter to each job which can help keep it short.

Check Length Requirements

How long should a cover letter be, what to include in your cover letter, how to keep your cover letter concise, cover letter examples, tips for cover letter length.

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Before we get into a bunch of advice on getting your cover letter to the proper length for most jobs, it should be clearly stated that your primary goal when applying for jobs is to show that you can follow instructions.

In this context, that means reading the job posting carefully for any details a company provides with regards to your cover letter . If they give you a prompt or questions to answer, then respond to them. If they provide instructions about word count or page length, do what they say and forget everything else you read here vis-a-vis length.

You only get one chance to make a first impression , and ignoring the instructions listed in a job posting is a surefire way to make a bad one.

So you’ve checked the job posting and they’ve requested a cover letter, but haven’t given any guidelines for how long it should be. Or maybe they’ve stated that a cover letter is optional. Should you still send one? Emphatically, yes, you should. As for how long you should make it, follow our guidelines below.

Page count. In all circumstances, your cover letter should never exceed one page . Ideally, you should shoot for between half a page and a page, always aiming for the lower end of that spectrum. About 70% of employers want a half-page cover letter or feel that the shorter the better.

Word count. Considering that preferred page count leaves us with about 200-400 words with 10 or 12-point font, single-spaced, with spaces between paragraphs.

The shorter the better approach continues here; if you can say everything you need to in a 200-word cover letter, great! Stop right there and don’t worry that you’re being lazy or not including enough information.

Paragraph count. The standard advice is to aim for between 3-6 paragraphs. Three is the absolute minimum to do the following: introduce yourself, state your qualifications, and express interest in the specific company. However, it may be a good idea to give yourself four paragraphs, so you have more time to tout your credentials.

We don’t recommend going over 4 paragraphs in most scenarios, because otherwise, each paragraph is going to look super short if you’re working with ~300 words. Additionally, it shouldn’t take multiple paragraphs to introduce yourself , express interest in the company, or thank the reader for their consideration.

No matter what job you’re applying for, cover letters follow a standard format . A pysical cover letter should include the following, in order:

Employer’s Address

Your address

Body paragraphs

Closing lines

For an email cover letter, you can omit the date and addresses. You also don’t need to actually sign it. However, if you can sign it and then scan it, it’s a nice touch.

Make sure to follow the employer’s directions for how you save your cover letter file. PDFs keep their formatting across devices and operating systems, making them a safe choice. However, if the employer specifically prohibits PDFs or requires a particular file type, like DOCX, follow those instructions.

Great, you’re thinking, but how do I fit how awesome I am into such a tight length limit? Fear not; once you’ve broken down a cover letter into sections , it’s easy to say what needs saying efficiently.

First paragraph. This may be the only paragraph a hiring manager will read in full; sad, but true. Make your opener count and get straight to the point: what job are you applying for, what do you know about the company, and how much experience do you have?

Second paragraph. The meat of your cover letter , and your chance to show off. This is probably the part where people have the most trouble keeping things concise.

The trick is to narrow down your greatness; what is the company looking for in a candidate for this position? Read the job posting , underline all verbs and industry-specific nouns.

Then, try to use those same words when talking about your qualifications. Think: what about your work history, your skills, or accomplishments are most fitting for the specific job for which you’re applying.

Whenever possible, include numbers to back up your claims. For instance, saying you provide great customer service is one thing, but showing evidence of that fact by stating you increased customer satisfaction by 17% is quite another.

Third paragraph . This is your chance to express interest in the company. Why do you want to work for them ? Research the company so you know what sort of projects they’ve developed and what their future goals are.

Don’t stop at simply mentioning that you know what the company is up to, though. Tell the hiring manager what you could do to further the company’s goals. It’s also appropriate to call back to your qualifications here: “I know I can be an asset in developing XYZ project successfully, because of my outstanding results with ABC project at [former employer].”

Fourth paragraph. Your closing paragraph should have three things: a reiteration of your interest in the position, a thank-you , and a call-to-action.

Remind the reader why you’re perfect for the position and what you can offer the company, not what the company can offer you (e.g., don’t say you look forward to learning more skills — you should already have those skills!)

Express gratitude for being considered for the position. People like polite people.

More optional paragraphs. Your introduction and conclusion should always be just one paragraph. If you feel you need more than four paragraphs, do so by breaking your second and/or third paragraphs into two paragraphs. However, we strongly recommend keeping your cover letter to four paragraphs.

We’ve been discussing cover letter length in abstract terms so far. Let’s look at a couple of cover letter examples to see all this advice in practice:

Cover Letter Example 1:

Dear Ms. Macnamara, When I saw the NextMark was hiring a Marketing Manager , I knew I had to apply. With over 8 years of experience in the marketing industry, I have a wide breadth of knowledge and am eager to apply my skills to open up new and exciting business opportunities for NextMark. I currently work as a Marketing Manager at MyComp, where I developed a digital marketing campaign that saw revenue increase by 34% YoY. I accomplished this through various SEO efforts built on a backlinking campaign worth $2M and a content marketing strategy that saw organic traffic increase threefold in just under six months. Additionally, I’ve worked side-by-side with the sales and product teams to ensure customer satisfaction never fell below 98%. For the past 3 years, I’ve managed a budget of $5-7M, including brand management, product launches, and promotional materials. I’ve also designed new social media elements targeted at environmentally-conscious consumers that saw our new Green Line reach record profits. My proudest achievement has been turning our social marketing strategy into a few hundred subscribers to over a million, with engagement through the roof. My background of business acumen and marketing know-how is just what NextMark needs to take its new product launch to the next level. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to discussing the next steps. Sincerely, Margaret Tanner

Cover Letter Example 2:

Dear Mr. Brown, As a person who loves selling technology solutions that make consumers’ lives easier, I was excited to see an opening for the Sales Representative position open up at Green Mosely. With over 4 years of experience selling software and customer support solutions, I have all the skills and qualifications you’re looking for. In my current role as Junior Sales Associate with TT Organization, I’ve achieved a number of impressive results: Leveraged negotiation skills to increase up-selling and cross-selling of sister products, resulting in a 44% boost in customer lifetime value Exceeded sales quotas by a minimum of 20% each quarter since 2017 Named “Top Salesperson” in March 2019 for making over $500,000 in sales, setting a new company-wide record for junior sales staff I’m confident that I can accomplish the same results and then some for Green Mosely. Additionally, your mission to provide software solutions for underserved communities in the third world really resonates with me. I volunteer time each weekend to help negotiate better deals for inner-city schools to make sure their technology is competitive. I appreciate you taking the time to read over my application. I look forward to speaking with you more about how we can make sure that Green Mosely is the top name that comes to mind when people think of software solutions at scale. Sincerely, John Tressel

Don’t be afraid of white space. You may think your cover letter looks sort of bare with four short paragraphs taking up just half a page. Don’t sweat it; keep to our formatting tips and your cover letter will be readable and nice to look at.

Don’t be super wordy. People often fall into the trap of thinking that a formal document (like a cover letter) has to be chock full of big words and complicated sentences. The opposite is actually true. Focus on keeping your sentences short and sweet — readers prefer it.

Cut your stories down. It’s great to give examples of when you did something particularly excellent at your previous job. But the hiring manager doesn’t need to know every little detail.

Just like you would in an interview, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) for your cover letter. Set the scene, describe what your job was, what you did, and what the result was. Any other information is superfluous.

Don’t tell too many stories. You may be delighted that you used the STAR method to get your anecdote in at just 60 words and think you have room for another now. Resist the temptation.

Get a second pair of eyes. It’s always good to get a second opinion . You might think you’ve written the most beautifully crafted sentence in the world, but if your friend can’t understand it, then there’s a chance the hiring manager won’t be able to either.

Tailor your cover letter. It’s okay to have a master cover letter, but make sure to customize it to each job. Make sure to include the company or organizations name in the letter, and why you would want to work there.

Employers are able to tell when you use a cover letter for each application, so make sure to customize it so you stand out.

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Matthew Zane is the lead editor of Zippia's How To Get A Job Guides. He is a teacher, writer, and world-traveler that wants to help people at every stage of the career life cycle. He completed his masters in American Literature from Trinity College Dublin and BA in English from the University of Connecticut.

Matt Warzel a President of a resume writing firm (MJW Careers, LLC) with 15+ years of recruitment, outplacement, career coaching and resume writing experience. Matt is also a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and Certified Internet Recruiter (CIR) with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (Marketing Focus) from John Carroll University.

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How Long Should a Cover Letter Be in 2023? (+Examples)

Do you want to know what the perfect length of a cover letter is? What is the ideal number of words that a cover letter should have? And how many paragraphs should you include?  If you are looking for answers to these and more cover letter questions, you are in the right place.

The quick answer is that a cover letter should never be longer than a page, 400 words, or six paragraphs.

However, if you want to dive deeper into the cover letter nuances and become a real expert, you are in the right place. So, if you want to learn in detail how to write the perfect cover letter of a perfect length, just keep reading.

For more general information about cover letters , go and have a look at the first article from our series Cover Letter Guide: What is the Cover Letter. There, you will find a definition of what a cover letter is, what makes it different from a letter of motivation, and a short guide on how to write a great cover letter.

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What is the ideal cover letter length for 2023?

When it comes to cover letters,  the longer, the better  does not apply.  Even if you have years of expertise and you worked extremely hard on gathering professional skills and experiences  — and now you want to show it off all in detail on four pages — don’t.

Sometimes, less is more. This is the case for a good cover letter. It is crucial to highlight the experiences that are truly relevant to the advertised position. Don’t worry, there will be plenty of time to talk about your skills and achievements in more detail once you get the interview.

Rather, think of a cover letter as a tasteful, comprehensive, short advertisement. You want to catch the attention of a hiring manager and make it clear that you are a highly experienced professional fit for the role. Yet, at the same time, you don’t want to bore and overwhelm the person who is making the selection in the first round of the hiring process.

It is important to realize that in large companies, the hiring manager and the HR department have a very short time to go through your application.  On average, per one vacancy, there  are  up to 250 applicants. This means you must make your cover letter stand out from the crowd – but also be easy to read.

What follows are the tips on how to do it!

Read the instructions

Always make sure you read the employers’ instructions properly.  In many vacancy announcements, there is a clear list of what is required from an applicant. Often, these also indicate the expected length and form of a cover letter.

If specific regulations are not included, don’t worry. In this case, you can go for the standardized version of a cover letter.

Junior vs Senior

If you are at the start of your career  and are applying for a junior position   where it is expected to have a lack of practical experience, writing around 200 words is perfectly acceptable. A cover letter for an internship can be equally long. If you don’t have prior experience, you can focus on your inner motivation, education, and extra-curricular activities.

For an experienced candidate , the word count can be doubled. However, it really shouldn’t exceed 400 words in any scenario – unless specifically requested. At the same time,  a cover letter should never exceed 1 page.  If you do so, you completely disobey all the rules of this genre, and it won't work to your advantage.

While this length may sound too short, and you may feel tempted to write more about many of your professional accomplishments, it may eliminate you from the selection process. Being selective and cutting straight to the point makes you a better candidate as opposed to one who writes their whole life story.

Career vs Academic cover letter

The rules listed in the previous paragraph are almost universally true when we speak of a career cover letter.

However, an academic cover letter is conventionally longer. If you are wondering how long an academic cover letter should be, know that  the standard length is one page and a half . On the other hand, it is never longer than two pages.

Cover letter heading length

The same cover letter rules apply here, too. A short, simple, and catchy heading will get you far.

Do not exceed two sentences; one is advisable. Either use your full name or a catchphrase, such as: “ Why am I the best for the role of XY ”. However, do this only when you are sure that the company and the position that you are interested in aren't too formal.

How long should the first paragraph be

This paragraph is to capture the attention of the reader.  It does not have to be longer than two or three sentences.  State who you are, where and how you found the opportunity, and why you are interested in it. Do this in a catchy way, though! If you heard about the position from a person in common, do not hesitate to mention their name.

Remember, the first paragraph is short – do not waste words. Make yourself an attractive candidate right from the beginning, and mention your biggest assets right here – such as the length of experience or quality of your education.

How long should the second paragraph be

Arguably the most important part of your cover letter. Therefore,  you should make the second paragraph the most extensive and longest part of your cover letter.  Write about your accomplishments and past work experiences in detail. Explain why you are the best candidate for the role and what your skills are that no one else has.

On the other hand, remember —  you still must write at least one more paragraph in the body of the cover letter, as well as the closing paragraph. Therefore, don’t go overboard with the length.

The best thing to do is to initially write freely and more. Then, you can cut the number of words down later during later stages of editing. This way, you won’t limit your creativity from the start by being too focused on the correct word count.

How many words/paragraphs should a cover letter be

• As we've already stressed, your cover letter shouldn’t be too long. Keep it under one page. However, sometimes only half a page may not be long enough. Find the right balance.
• When it comes to the number of words, never exceed 400 words. 250-300 words are the ideal length of an average cover letter.
• The perfect number of paragraphs in a cover letter ranges from three to four.  The maximum number of paragraphs that are acceptable is six.

Cover letter examples by length

If you want to see the instructions applied in real life, have a look at the cover letter examples of various lengths examples below. All three of these people managed to land the job by using the kickresume cover letter template ! 

Cover letter example 1: Short version: Half a page

Cover letter example 2: Medium version: Between half a page and a page

Cover letter example 3: Long version: A page

If you liked these  cover letter samples  and you want your cover letter to look the same, use  one of our  cover letter templates!  You can go for the free or the premium version. It is super easy to use, so you’re just a click away from the cover letter of your dreams!

Cover letter formatting

Not only length but also the way you format the cover letter matters. Your goal is to  make it very easy to read.  You will achieve this by keeping your cover letter structured, nicely designed, and well-formatted. Here are the tips on how to achieve this:

• When it comes to the font of a cover letter,  try to imagine being a busy hiring manager. You want to make their job as easy as possible – so go for a font that is easy to read. At the same time, you want to create a professional impression. In other words, the best font for your cover letter would be the classic  Times New Roman, Arial , or  Calibri . However, if you are confident enough to experiment and you want to make your cover letter stand out from the crowd with a more eye-catching design, go for it. But forget to ensure that the text should be easy to navigate and read – that is the priority. 
• The letter size  matters, too. Anything between 10.5 and 12 is good. You don’t want to make the letters too small, so they would be hard to read, or too large, so you don’t exceed one page.
• The margins  of a cover letter are conventionally 1.5 or 1.
• A cover letter should never be   double-spaced. You want to fit all the information on one page — with double spacing, you wouldn’t be able to.

How long should an email cover letter be? 

Today, unless specifically instructed to do otherwise, the cover letter is conventionally sent as an email attachment.

Just like with the cover letter itself, sending a short and precise email is better than a long and overly complicated one.

In your email you must include:

• a relevant subject:  if the subject title is not included in the vacancy instructions, use the name of the position for which you are applying;
• a polite greeting:  address the person by their full name/if not available, Dear Sir/Madam will do
• refer to your attached cover letter and resume;
• express hopes for the future , consider attaching a phone number where they can reach you;
• close with best regards/best wishes and your full name and surname;

Email cover letter length examples

Email cover letter example 1.

Email cover letter example 2

Email cover letter example 3

And that’s about it. There is no need to make it too elaborate – all the important information is in the attachment.

Now hit that send sign and wait for the response. After listening to all the advice, we have no doubts you will receive positive news. The Kickresume team wishes you the best of luck!

Now, when you have that cover letter in your pocket, we are sure you also want an amazing-looking resume. The good news is that you are just a click away from our Kickresume CV templates!  You can even easily  turn your LinkedIn profile into a great resume .

FAQ: How long should a cover letter be in 2023

What is the ideal word length of a cover letter.

Your cover letter should be between 250 to 400 words long.

A cover letter isn't required – should I still send it?

Yes, this is your chance to stand out from the crowd of applicants and make it clear that you’re willing to put in the effort.

Is a 1000-word cover letter too long?

Yes, it is. It's never advised to exceed 400, max. 500 words.

Is it ok to have a cover letter that is two pages long?

No, you should always limit your cover letter to only one page. Recruiters don't have time to read long essays. They also like familiarity and known formats.

Kaja Jurčišinová

Kaja Jurcisinova is a fresh graduate and a junior copywriter at Kickresume. Kaja completed her undergraduate degree in Art History at the University of St Andrews in 2018 and graduated with a Master’s in Arts and Culture from the University of Groningen in 2021. She was an intern at multiple cultural institutions across Europe, including the Dutch Museum Association in Amsterdam, the Matter of Art Biennale in Prague, and the European Cultural Centre in Venice. At the moment, she resides in Visby on the Swedish island of Gotland.

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How long should my cover letter be?

If you are a job seeker, you must have come across this question in your mind. But, what does length have to do with a cover letter?

Well, majorly everything. A very pressing question in the recruitment circles is: how long should a cover letter be for a job?

Quite literally, it asks, how far you should go in order to impress your employer?

So how long should cover letters be? The immediate answer is 1/2 of an A4 page.

Read on to find how and why this rule is applicable. Always customize it according to your target recruiter. In this blog, we will answer some of your questions:

How long should your cover letter be?

• How to correctly make your cover letter length right?
• How to structure a cover letter for optimum length?
• What should be the cover letter font size?

How many words should a cover letter be of?

How long should a cover letter be.

Let's look at the length of the following example:

The length of the cover letter varies with what your cover letter needs to do.

Now a quick review of what your cover letter should do:

• Introduce yourself
• Reassure your knowledge about the company and the position
• Demonstrate 2 - 3 examples of how your skills and experience match the recruiters' requirements
• Share your enthusiasm for working for the company/institution
• Imply an insight into your personality

And you need to do all of it in less than half a page!

Also Read: How to write a cover letter?

You shall be surprised to find that most cover letters are 2 pages in length. Professionally speaking, this is wrong. Most hiring managers do not read long cover letters.

The longer your cover letter, the lesser are your chances of getting shortlisted. Let's look at some examples of how should a cover letter look:

How long are Cover Letters?

The 2019 edition of cover letter length saw a rapid elaboration and justification of one's skills and interests. This was followed by explanatory interviews and resulted in wasting a longer time before hiring the most relevant candidate.

The 2022 edition of cover letter length has been made concise and to the point. This allows recruiters to find the exact candidate they need for shortlisting more relevant candidates.

Trends suggest that the 2022 edition of cover letter length will not necessarily compromise on space but shall highly prioritize the simplicity of language and directness of impact.

This shall enable recruiters to:

• spend lesser time before contacting the right applicant
• apply quicker filters to find the necessary candidate
• spend lesser time writing fluff and adding information
• highlight key points you want the recruiters to see

How long does a cover letter have to be?

Your cover letter should be less than one page .

Only highlight:

• your most relevant skills for the job
• what you have to offer the employer
• Awards/recognition across your career
• certifications that prove your merit

In fact, a recent survey found out that, almost 70% of employers want a cover letter of less than 1 page, and about 25% responded that a shorter cover letter is better.

The usual preferences around the question - how long should a cover letters be:

Ensuring Readability - Cover Letter Length

Here are the few things to consider for the ideal cover letter length:

Cover Letter Formatting

The second most important thing after the length of cover letter is the format.

You must choose a legible font. Resume experts at Hiration suggests Calibri or Open Sans.

Ensure a readable font size of about 12 points.

Your margins should be about 1 inch all around, with the text left aligned or justified.

To ensure maximum readability, add spaces between:

• salutation and text
• text and signature

Also Read: Key Tips for writing a cover letter

Do not Waste Key Blank Space

This brings us the very next rule: do not waste the space you are supposed to cover with useless information.

• over-explaining your contributions
• apologizing for skills you don’t have

Examples of wasteful sentences are: “Despite my limited experience with marketing…”, etc.

How long does a cover letter need to be?

There is no specific word count you should aim for when writing a cover letter (unless the employer gives you a specific word count).

Instead of focusing on the number of words, focus on making your cover letter one page or less, with a readable font and font size, and enough white space between paragraphs and in the margins.

In order to get a second opinion on your cover letter before posting it or sending it somewhere, give a print out of it to your family member or friend and ask if it looks too cluttered.

Highlight the Right Experiences

Not sure what skills and experiences you should be featuring? Drop the text of the job description into a word cloud tool like Wordle, and see what stands out. The words with higher frequencies are what the recruiter is looking for.

Email Subject Line

When emailing your cover letter, it is even more important to be concise.

Most readers pay attention to the first paragraph when reading an email. Most will ignore the rest of the message. 2 paragraphs of which the first one consisting an introduction and second describing why you are eligible for the job is enough with a closing paragraph at the end.

You can also make your email cover letter stand out with a clear, concise email subject line.

Typically, you want to include the title of the position that you are applying for and your name. For example, Editorial Assistant - John Smith.

If possible, try to keep the meat of your subject line (specifically, the job title and your name) under 30 characters . This is about as much as people can see on their mobile devices, which is often how people check their email.

How to make cover letter length right

To understand how long can a cover letter be, imagine you need to buy a car.

Do you ever read the long literature or spend hours listening to a salesman describe the functionalities of a particular car?

You only listen to the necessary specifications matching your needs.

The same goes for a cover letter. Check out the following length of a cover letter example:

This example shows how long a cover letter first paragraph should be, and why.

Here's another:

Structuring your Cover Letter

First, enter your name as the largest text. Then enter your contact information:

• Phone number
• Email Address

After the header, start your actual cover letter.

Let us break the above example into the following steps to understand exactly how to optimize the paragraphs to make it most effective.

Also Read: How to start a cover letter?

Cover Letter Length: Salutation

The following example portrays how to write the salutation in your cover letter.

Dan Wilkins HR Manager Bro Code Limited

Cover Letter Length: 1st paragraph

Let's look at the corresponding example:

CCP & TTL1 Certified Collection Manager & Credit Analyst with a prolific 16-year track record of overseeing collection management and credit control for Fortune 500 companies. Adept at conceptualizing and implementing initiatives to drive continuous process improvement within the control and compliance framework to achieve operational excellence, I am extremely interested in the profile of Collection Manager & Credit Analysis Expert at Bro Code.

How long is a cover letter first paragraph?

It has all the elements of the first paragraph of an ideally long cover letter:

• It starts with the certificate name
• It displays your profile title(s)
• It shows your years of experience
• It substantiates your most pressing contributions
• It then exemplifies why you are such a great fit for your target position

It's 2 sentences long with 64 words.

There is no generic element in it. It displays your genuine interest and proposes why you think you are the best candidate for the job.

And it is based on your experience. That's how you write a job-winning cover letter.

Cover Letter Length: 2nd paragraph

In my present tenure as the Assistant Manager at Accenture, I have been independently managing 11 accounts while incubating and managing a team of 15 to supervise collections from Expedia on behalf of Marriott. As the Lead at IBM UK across London, Manchester & Liverpool, I spearheaded the Cash & Collections Application team to steer process development and deliver stellar levels of customer service. In my previous role as the Process Developer at Miss Effective, I effectively executed the Green Belt project (US/London) while steering process migration for USA Business Credit Services.

How long is a cover letter second paragraph?

The second paragraph of the cover letter is slightly longer, about 93 words long.

It does not pound its chest and claims "I'm the best". Instead, it simply showcases the right numbers. Again, not a generic cover letter.

But, how do you do it?

First, read the job description very carefully. Secondly, go down memory lane and brainstorm about the times you delivered what the target job is exactly looking for.

Cover Letter Length: 3rd paragraph

I was declared a recipient of the Top Collector Award & Maintenance Award while demonstrating the capability to achieve 99% accuracy and productively managing a portfolio of USD 1.5 M per month.

How long is a cover letter third paragraph?

The hiring manager should have not stopped skimming and started reading your cover letter.

Here's why it worked:

• It did not just say, "I like the company."
• It proved the same, based on numbers
• It showed your exact skills

Read their mission statement and "about us" page. Read news articles about them. Find out their philosophy on training and staff development.

In short, state the reasons why that particular organization is the dream company for you.

Cover Letter Length: 4th/5th paragraph

Let's look at the following example:

It is difficult to come away un-awed by the passion for excellence that Bro Code has displayed in its meteoric rise to become a stalwart in this domain. Despite a presence in 9 countries, it values its employees & ensures a continuous learning environment. Hence, I consider Bro Code to be my most preferred employer. Enclosed for your consideration is my resume. I’d appreciate the opportunity to further discuss my suitability and qualifications with you on call or in person.

How long is a cover letter fourth paragraph?

The fourth paragraph always entertains the nature of the organization and your reason for wanting to attend to the same. You should:

• Read about the company before writing the concluding paragraph
• Show eagerness for the company and the recruiter

Cover Letter Length: Signature

Always end on a sincere note as does the following example.

Sincerely, Sussane Stephens Enclosure: Resume

Ensure a sustainable gap between the text and the signature.

Still not clear about how long should a cover letter be? You may read our guide on the same.

The following is a concise guide for the same thing.

Academic Cover Letter Length

An academic cover letter could run up to 2 pages.

The question - how long should a cover letter be for an academic position - enables us to rethink the scope of an academic cover letter length.

Basically, it incorporates evidence, enthusiasm, and rationale.

On a larger scale, the academic cover letter covers highlights the following:

• Current Position
• Research Interests/Affiliations
• Scholarly Publications
• Selected Awards & Honors
• Conference Presentations/Papers
• Invited Talks
• Additional Publications
• Teaching Experiences

Further, if asked, it may also encompass a "Statement Of Purpose". The SOP relates to the readers the motivation/inspiration of the candidate behind opting for the particular position he/she is seeking.

This may easily run from 750 - 1000 words.

Also Read: How to write a cover letter enclosure?

Cover Letter FAQs

How long does a cover letter need to be? Here are the common questions.

Should a cover letter be of 2 pages?

No, a cover letter should not be of 2 pages.

A cover letter that is of 2 pages violates both the definition and the parameters - a short summary of why you're the best bet for the job.

In fact, a resume can extend to 2 pages only if you possess 10+ years of experience.

Should a cover letter be of 1 page?

The best cover letter length is less than 1 page. Smart and short cover letters allow a detailed eye-time with the manager.

In fact, a long cover letter often sends the message that you are unsure about your capabilities.

Is my cover letter too lengthy?

If your cover letter is of 1 full page or longer, then it will be considered lengthy.

A 2 - 3 page length of cover letter is a waste of paper.

A cover letter consists of 3 paragraphs explaining why you're the perfect candidate for the profile you're applying for.

What should be the font size for my cover letter?

The font you use for your cover letter should be of the same font size as that of your resume.

This said, the ideal font size for both is 12 pts.

Cover letter should be 250 - 300 words long.

This is because that's the number of words that take up a little more space than half a page with 12-pt. size.

How long should a digital cover letter be?

The length of a digital cover letter should be the same as that of a paper cover letter. Mainly

• <1 full page
• 250-300 words
• 3 paragraphs

The difference in an electronic cover letter would be in the address section in the starting and the subject line.

Should there be double spacing in a cover letter?

There should not be double space in a cover letter.

The line spacing of your cover letter should effectively be between 1 - 1.5.

Also, after ending each paragraph, give space of one blank line to clearly distinguish between the paragraphs.

How long should a cover letter be for an internship?

Your resume for cover should not be more than 1 page, and ideally withing 400-500 words.

The basic principle of a cover letter for an internship and a cover letter for a job is the same. The only differene is that, in internship cover letter, you need to focus more on your academics and extracarricular activities.

What length should an academic cover letter be?

Usually, an academic cover letter is called an SOP or a "Statement Of Purpose".

This can be 2 pages long - which is enough to demonstrate your:

• research work
• accomplishments
• relevant accolades
• departmental service

In general, an academic cover letter length is usually 1.5 - 2 pages long. This is about 5 - 8 paragraphs.

Does the length of a cover letter matter?

The right length of a cover letter signifies that you are able to justify your profile and highlight the most relevant experiences.

The number of interviews that you'll get very much depends on the length of your cover letter. So the question now is, how to make the cover letter of the right length?

How long does it take to write a Cover Letter?

Well, you should ideally spend 30 minutes writing a cover letter and 10 minutes proofreading it.

The examples on the page shall help you answer how long should a cover letter be.

Follow the ideal cover letter length for the most number of responses from your hiring manager.

You may also get it reviewed by industry-specific professionals at Hiration.

Key Takeaways

Here are the most important points to practice while reducing your cover letter length:

• Limit your cover letter to half a page
• Structure your cover letter in 3 paragraphs
• Research about the company to ensure that the cover letter is tailored to the job listing
• Sell Yourself Subtly
• Be Concise to ensure that the recruiter is presented with a quick snapshot of your achievements
• Customize the cover letter as per the profile you're targeting
• Proofread to make sure there are no errors and mistakes
• Limit your contact information to Phone number, Email Address & location

Go to Hiration career platform which has 24/7 chat support and get professional assistance with all your job & career-related queries. You can also write to us at [email protected] and we will make sure to reach out to you as soon as possible.

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• How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

Why Include a Cover Letter

Email cover letter length, cover letter word count, use a concise subject line, how to format a cover letter.

Cover letters are an important part of the  job application process . You should  almost always send a cover letter  with a job application unless the hiring manager specifically asks you not to.

However, one thing that is less clear is how long your cover letter should be. If it is too short, employers might think you do not care much about the job. If it is too long, employers might not take the time to read your letter and may not consider you for an interview.

Read below for more advice on how long your cover letter should be, as well as additional advice on writing a strong cover letter.

Should you include a cover letter with your resume? Some employers  require cover letters , and you can find out if they do by reading the job posting. If a cover letter is required, the job advertisement will mention it.

Jobvite's Recruiter Nation Survey reports that only 27% of recruiters said that cover letters are important in their hiring decisions, up from 8% in 2017. A CareerBuilder survey reports that 40% of human resources managers responded that a cover letter would help an applicant get noticed.

Cover letter requirements vary between employers, industries, and the jobs the organization is filling. They also vary depending on whether you're sending an email cover letter, sending a printed letter attachment, or uploading your document.

Even when a cover letter isn't required, it can boost your chances of getting hired if you include one when you apply for a job.

Therefore, only leave out a cover letter when the employer specifically asks you not to send one.

How Long Should Your Cover Letter Be?

Should you keep your cover letter short, or should it be a full page or even longer? Your cover letter should be no longer than one page. If you're sending an email letter, it can be even shorter.

In fact, as far as how long your cover letter should be, shorter is better. The exception would be when an employer requests a letter that's a specific length or number of words.

• Your cover letter should be a maximum of one page, and shorter than that for an email cover letter.
• Some employers want even less. A Saddleback College survey reported that almost 70% of employers wanted a cover letter of a half page or shorter, 20% had no preference, and 12% expected a full page letter.

Your letter should concisely highlight your most relevant qualifications for the job and what you have to offer the employer.

When sending an  email cover letter , it's even more important to be concise. The first paragraph is what readers pay attention to when reading an email. The rest of the message is typically skimmed. Two paragraphs—one that serves as an introduction, and one that explains your qualification for the job—and then a closing is sufficient.

There is no specific word count you should aim for when writing a cover letter (unless the employer gives you a specific word count). Instead of focusing on the number of words, focus on making your cover letter one page or less, with a readable font and font size, and enough white space between paragraphs and in the margins.

Your goal is to  highlight your most relevant qualifications for the job , not to repeat everything that's on your resume.

However, if you use a 12-point font, a full page letter, not including the heading or signature, would be approximately 250 to 400 words.

You might want to hand a printed out version of your cover letter to a friend or family member and ask them if the letter seems too wordy, or too difficult to read.

You can also make your email cover letter stand out with a clear, concise email  subject line . Typically, you want to include the title of the position that you are applying for and your name. For example: Editorial Assistant-John Smith (try to keep it less than 30 characters).

This is about as much as people can see on their mobile devices, which is often how people check their email.

Just as important as the length of your cover letter is the  format . You will want to choose a  font  that is simple and legible (such as Arial, Calibri, Verdana, or Times New Roman) in a readable font size (typically 12 point).

Your  letter should include the following:

• Heading (hard copy letter)
• Introductory Paragraph
• Your Qualifications (one to three paragraphs or a list of bullet points)
• Signature (include your contact information in your signature when sending an email letter)

Your  margins  should be 1-inch all around, with the text aligned to the left.

You also want to leave space between paragraphs in your cover letter , as well as between your salutation and the text (and between your text and the signature), so that your letter is easy to read.

A good rule of thumb is that you always want a  good amount of white space on the paper . This will prevent your letter from looking too cluttered and difficult to read.

Jobvite. " Recruiter Nation Survey ," page 19. Accessed Jan. 3, 2022.

CareerBuilder. " How to Create a Cover Letter That Gets Attention ." Accessed Jan. 3, 2022.

CareerOneStop. " Write Effective Cover Letters ." Accessed Jan. 3, 2022.

Saddleback College. " Your Resume is Your 1st Interview ." Accessed Jan. 3, 2022.

Ideal Cover Letter Length: How Long Should A Cover Letter Be?

In This Guide:

How long should a cover letter be, example of one-page cover letter, how to achieve the ideal cover letter length, how to make the most of your cover letter word length and arrangement.

At last, you found the job of your dreams!

The hours of scrolling through websites before bed has finally paid off.

It’s right there on the screen of your phone, just one cover letter away.

You immediately start thinking about all the things you can list in your letter.

Past job experiences, internships, soft and hard skills…

At one point, you notice the short cover letter has turned into a 3-page novel.

Is it too much?

How long is a cover letter?

And how long is too long when you’re writing about yourself and your achievements?

Can a cover letter be too short, resulting in everyone collectively laughing at your lack of imagination and experience?

Stop. Take a moment to breathe.

If you’re researching how long should a cover letter be, you’re already on the right path.

We will answer all your questions and more so that you can create a memorable cover letter that will impress the recruiters and land you the job of your dreams.

And if you need some inspiration, take a look at some cover letter examples .

Be a first-hand witness to how people just like you have found the balance between length and structure to build a cover letter that becomes the center of attention.

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The average length of a cover letter is half a page. The content should contain no more than 4 paragraphs . The first one being an introduction about yourself and how you found the position; the second (or second and third) – more about your experience, why you’re a suitable candidate; and the last one an ending with a summary of the info and a call to action.

Here is an example of a successful one-page cover letter with 4 paragraphs.

Now that you know what your end goal should be regarding the length of your cover letter let’s dive into the logistics of reaching that goal.

This includes the structure, the recommended information that should be in it, and some writing and editing tips.

By the end of this article, you will know how to construct a successful cover letter that will increase your chances of getting to your dream position.

And if you’re still wondering why you need one, check out our article on  the purpose of a cover letter in an application.

Focus on your relevant skills and achievements

We know you are probably a very skilled individual with a long list of accomplishments.

However, most companies only care about the ones relevant to the job.

Job recruiters go through so many applications a day that the moment they see pieces of information that are not related to what they are searching for, your resume and cover letter are headed to the bin.

If you’re applying for a chef in a restaurant, there is no need to explain how you won a science fair in high school with a DIY solar system.

Listing unnecessary information shows that you did not care enough to do the proper research about the type of employee this business needs.

Include four or fewer paragraphs in your cover letter body

We already mentioned briefly what those paragraphs should contain, so let’s go a bit more detailed.

Paragraph 1 – Introduction

Undoubtedly the most important part – the one you will use to win the recruiters over and invite them to learn more about you.

Start by introducing yourself and how you found out about the position, followed by what motivated you to apply for it. Use this part to showcase your knowledge about the company.

You know exactly what they are looking for and, big surprise, you’re the one that can give it all. If there are any specific things you really like about this business, now is the time to list them.

Paragraph 2 and 3 – Body

Now, this is your time to truly shine. Use this part to list all your achievements, skills, and qualifications that are directly related to the job position.

Use specific examples. “I have many years of experience working with wild cats.” is good, but it can be even more precise. “I have worked as a wild cats rehabilitator in the Oregon Zoo in Portland for 6 years.”

If you’re applying for an HR specialist, pay special attention to your organizational abilities and soft skills. If it’s a more technical and precise position, give examples.

“By transforming business goals into measurable indicators with conversion rate optimization in mind, I can help clients gather and analyze user interactions in a visually appealing way that they can access anytime, anywhere.“

Show the recruiters everything they will gain by hiring you. Cover letters are usually all about how the business will benefit from you, not the other way around.

In case you don’t have enough experience in the field you’re aiming for, highlight your motivations, extra courses you’ve taken, and how you want to develop in the future.

Paragraph 4 – Ending

And now it’s time for the big finale. Thank the hiring managers for their time and undivided attention, provide them with extra contact information and finish up with a call to action.

Let them know when you’re available for a callback, what is the best way to reach you, and that if they have any further questions, you will be at their disposal every day.

You can include one last sentence about how excited you are applying for this position, without sounding too needy, of course.

Write short and direct sentences

The way you express yourself is important. Prolonged and heavy sentences will put anyone off from what they’re reading.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you should write the whole cover letter in simple sentences, as they can sound quite robotic.

But there needs to be a pleasant flow to your writing. The reader should not struggle with understanding your cover letter.

So here are a few tips that will help you write short, concise sentences that are straight to the point and don’t sound like they’ve been written by a bot.

• No “fluff words” – These include words such as “really”, “actually”, “totally”, etc. The main rule is – If you can remove it and the sentence doesn’t lose its meaning, then remove it.
• Use active voice – The usage of passive voice prolongs the sentence with unnecessary clunky words that bear no meaning.
• Get rid of redundant words – “In order to” can be just “to”, “in close proximity” can be “close”. No need to overcomplicate your sentences just to appear smarter.

Here is an example of transforming a long sentence into a short one.

“I truly believe that all of my skills will be of great use to your company should you decide to hire me.”

“If I am hired, my skills will prove to be useful for your company.“

Leave some information to be revealed later at the interview

Outline the most important info but don’t go into too much detail. You want to intrigue the recruiters enough that they invite you for an interview.

You don’t want to leave the impression that they’ve learned everything about you in the span of two short paragraphs, right?

Use a professional cover letter format

The content of your cover letter is the second thing HR managers will see. The first ones are the layout and design.

Our years of experience have shown that candidates that use a professional format for their cover letters have a better success rate when applying for interviews.

Use a readable and plain font, for example, Times New Roman, Arial, Verdana, or Calibri. The size should be no more than 13 point and no less than 11 point. Make it too small, and it’s illegible, make it too big and it looks like you’re trying to fill up space.

Except for the three paragraphs we already talked about, every cover letter should contain the following elements – a heading, a greeting , and a signature at the end.

Leave space between the paragraphs to make the text easy to read and scan, and align the text to the left.

Make sure it doesn’t look cluttered and messy.

Before you start writing, check if there are any specific requirements posted by the recruiters regarding your cover letter. Some companies will tell you exactly what they want for length and content.

Don’t tell too many stories. Giving examples is great but don’t go overboard.

Can my cover letter be 2 pages?

If you’re wondering about a 2-page resume, ask yourself, why do you need it to be so long?  Most of the information should be on your resume, the cover letter is just an add-on.

You’re not telling your life story, you’re simply listing all the relevant experience and skills you have so you can get invited to an interview. You will have more chances to market yourself once you get there.

Unless it’s for a pretty high-end position, such as a heart surgeon, professor ina university, or a science researcher, you should be able to fit everything in half a page.

How many words should a cover letter be?

Since we already established that the average length for a cover letter is two-thirds of a page, maximum, how many words is that?

Well, if you don’t have any specific instructions from the employer, keep it between 250 and 400, ideally 300. If you’re using a 12 point font and you’ve written your 3 paragraphs, that’s the usual word count at the end.

In any case, the average word count should be a guideline, not your main focus.

What about academic cover letter length?

The cover letter for an academic position is one of those rare cases where you can exceed the one-page maximum. In

It usually needs to include all sorts of important information such as teaching, research, departmental service, published papers, relevant accolades, and anything else that might be required for the position.

How long should my intern cover letter be?

A cover letter for an internship  should follow the same guidelines as the typical cover letter. Between 200 and 400 words is ideal.

It could be shorter, as well. If you’re applying for an internship, chances are you don’t have a lot of experience resulting in fewer things you can include in your cover letter.

• Focus less on how long does a cover letter need to be and more on what is required from the company you’re applying to;
• Always research for specific instructions from the hiring managers regarding cover letter length and other requirements;
• Unless you’re applying for an academic position or another one that demands a longer letter, don’t go over one page;
• The format of the cover letter should be professional and clean. The goal is to make your text easy to scan and understand. You can use Enhancv’s Content Analyzer  to check everything.
• Write simply and use short sentences;
• Tailor your letter to the position you’re applying for. Make it personal and show that you care.

What are your experiences with writing cover letters? Have you ever written a cover letter longer than one page?

Tell us in the comments below and if you found this article useful, make sure to share it with anyone who might need it.

• Cover Letter Guides

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How long should a cover letter be?

A cover letter is a critical part of the job-hunting process. It provides insight into your personality and enthusiasm for the role, and complements the qualifications, experience and skills listed on your resumé . 

It gives an employer an idea of who you are as a person, and whether you’d be a good fit for the role and the company culture . It’s your first impression on the hiring manager, which is why knowing how to format your cover letter and getting the word count right is important. 

Which prompts an important question: how many words in a cover letter? As a general rule, your cover letter should fit on one page. It should be long enough to showcase your qualities and highlight why you’d be the perfect choice for the job, but not too long that the hiring manager loses interest. Let’s take a closer look at the length of your cover letter. 

What is the recommended cover letter length?

Your cover letter should be around three to six paragraphs, or around 250 to 400 words. However, the length of your cover letter may vary depending on the job application and industry you’re applying for. The only time you should go over the one-page cover letter length is if the job ad specifically asks for this, or if you have a lot of relevant experience – just try to keep it as concise as possible.

How to structure your cover letter

With the above in mind, it’s time to get writing. Here’s a quick guide on how to structure your cover letter. 

Introduce yourself 

Your introduction should catch the reader’s attention and show your enthusiasm for the role. Briefly introduce yourself, mention the position you are applying for, and explain why you are interested in the role and the company. If you’ve been referred to the job by someone already working there, mention it in this first paragraph. 

Write a compelling body paragraph

The body of your cover letter is where you should talk about your most relevant skills and experiences that make you a great fit for the job. This section can be one or two paragraphs long. 

Choose two or three skills or experiences from your resumé to tailor your cover letter to  match the key selection criteria . Briefly explain what these are, and how these skills will benefit the new role and company. Show how you have demonstrated these in the workplace by giving examples of situations you’ve faced, what you did, and the results. Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to best highlight your capabilities. 

Create a memorable ending for your cover letter 

To wrap up your cover letter, reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and thank the hiring manager for their consideration. You should also finish by saying that you look forward to the opportunity to discuss your application further. 

How to keep your cover letter the correct length

It’s important to keep in mind the length of your cover letter as you are writing it. Here are some ways you can make sure your cover letter is the right length, without missing any important details. 

Check the employer’s requirements

Check if the job ad includes any requirements for the cover letter. Some hiring managers will specify the length, format, or font size they prefer. By following these instructions, you not only make sure your cover letter hits all the right notes, but also demonstrate your attention to detail skills . 

Follow professional formatting

You should always use consistent formatting on professional documents like your resumé and cover letter. Here are some quick tips:

• Choose a standard font like a sans-serif at size 11–12pt; any smaller than this and the hiring manager may have trouble reading it.
• Keep a margin of 1 inch and use single spacing around the document so it looks neat and well organised.
• Add line spaces between each section or paragraph to clearly separate them.
• Keep your paragraphs short and to the point, to enhance readability. 
• You can use some bullet points if they enhance clarity, though be mindful not to duplicate what is on your resumé. 

Highlight only relevant skills and experiences

Your cover letter should focus on your most relevant skills and experiences for the role. Outline your most significant achievements and strongest qualities, and use specific examples to demonstrate how you’ve put these skills into practice and achieved success. Your goal is to spark interest and curiosity, so that the employer wants to hear more and invites you for an interview. 

Remove fluff

Your cover letter should be clear, concise and easy to read. Read through your cover letter (or get a friend to) and see where you can tighten up the language. Take out redundant phrases and generic statements that don’t add value to your cover letter. Use the active voice (‘I’ statements) and power verbs to show confidence and enhance clarity and engagement. 

Proofread and edit

Before you submit your cover letter, make sure to proofread it. Carefully check your cover letter for any grammatical errors or spelling mistakes. You should also do another read-through and edit for clarity and brevity, cutting out unnecessary words and sentences that don’t contribute to your main points. Then triple-check for spelling and grammar or have a friend go over it for you – sometimes a fresh set of eyes will spot things you’ve missed.

Cover letter examples by length

Here are some cover letter examples: 

Cover letter example: Short (half page)

Sarah Smith ⁠A23 Fake Street ⁠Adelaide, 5000 [email protected] ⁠Ph: 0400 000 000

David Mitchell ⁠ABC Company ⁠789 Curve Avenue ⁠Adelaide 5000

Dear Mr Mitchell,

I am excited to apply for the Retail Supervisor position at ABC Company, as advertised on SEEK. With five years of experience in retail management, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team.

In my previous role at XYZ Company, I successfully led a team of eight employees, ensuring smooth store operations and excellent customer service. My biggest achievement so far is implementing new sales strategies that have resulted in a 20% increase in sales over the last six months. 

Some of my other achievements while in my current role include:

• Implementing training programs that resulted in a 15% increase in employee productivity. 
• Developing and executing visual merchandising displays, which resulted in increased sales for products on display. 

I’m interested in a role at ABC Company as I admire your commitment to [specific value or goal of the company]. I believe my strong leadership skills and retail expertise make me a perfect fit for this role. I am passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences and driving sales through team leadership, and am eager to bring my enthusiasm and dedication to ABC Company. 

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences will benefit you and ABC Company. 

Sincerely, Sarah Smith 

Cover letter example: Medium (half page to full page)

Leela Ramirez ⁠Perth, WA 6000 [email protected] M: 0400 000 000

Isabella Santos ⁠AAA Holidays

Dear Mrs Santos,

I am writing to express my interest in the Travel Advisor position at AAA Holidays, as advertised on seek.com.au. With a passion for travel and three years of experience in the travel industry, I am excited by the possibility of bringing my knowledge and passion for travel to your team.

In my current role at BBB Travel, I have honed my skills in itinerary planning, customer service, and destination knowledge. I take pride in creating personalised travel experiences that exceed customer expectations. I am well-versed in using booking systems and have a strong understanding of travel regulations and requirements.

• Developed and maintained strong relationships with my customers, which resulted in multiple bookings for the same client. 
• Consistently exceeded sales targets by upselling additional services or packages by 10%, including all-inclusive packages and tours. 
• Received outstanding customer feedback and high satisfaction ratings for personalised travel itineraries and recommendations. 

I am drawn to AAA Holiday's reputation for providing unforgettable travel services and personalised experiences, as this is what motivates me to go above and beyond for my clients. I am confident that my background and enthusiasm for travel make me a strong applicant for this role, and I’m eager to use my skills and help your clients create memorable travel experiences that keep them coming back.

Thank you for considering my application. I am excited about the possibility of joining AAA Holidays and contributing to the company’s success. 

Sincerely, Leela Ramirez  

Cover letter example: Long (full page)

Ahmed Khan ⁠Brisbane 4000 ⁠ [email protected] M: 0400 000 000

Luca Rossi ⁠Great Food Restaurant ⁠15 Ocean Street ⁠Brisbane, QLD 4000

Dear Mr. Rossi, 

I am thrilled to apply for the Restaurant Manager position at Great Food Restaurant, as advertised both on your bulletin board and also on seek.com.au. With over eight years of experience in the restaurant industry, I am excited about the opportunity to bring my leadership skills and passion for hospitality to your already thriving restaurant.

In my current role as a Restaurant Manager at Gumtree Restaurant, I successfully oversee daily operations, including staff management, scheduling, customer service, and inventory control. One of my notable achievements includes implementing new training programs that have resulted in a 30% increase in customer satisfaction scores. 

Some of my most other achievements include:

• successfully improving restaurant operations
• achieving revenue targets
• implementing cost-saving measures by auditing food wastage and negotiating rent

I have also developed skills in budget management and have consistently achieved and exceeded revenue targets. By closely monitoring expenses and resource allocation, I have contributed to the financial success of Gumtree Restaurant.

In order to strengthen my leadership skills,  I recently undertook management training, completing a certificate in hospitality management at TAFE. I have also completed several courses in food safety and OHS and WHS. Now I feel it’s time for my next challenge. 

I feel I would make a great fit for Great Food Restaurant, based on your reputation for delivering exceptional dining experiences, as providing outstanding culinary moments is something that brings me great joy. I am confident that my experience and leadership skills make me a strong applicant for this role. I’m keen to contribute to the continued success of Great Food Restaurant.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experiences line up with the goals of Great Food Restaurant. I am looking forward to the possibility of joining your team and helping to elevate the experience of your valued customers. 

Which cover letter length is most effective?

Your cover letter is your chance to shine and make a memorable impression on the hiring manager. The length of your cover letter should be just right: enough to convey two or three compelling reasons why you’re the perfect fit for the role. The ideal length will vary depending on your experiences and the specific requirements the job calls for. For instance, a cover letter for an entry-level role should be shorter than one for a senior leadership position, but it should always aim to be no longer than one page, or between 250 to 400 words. 

Make sure your cover letter is clear, well-structured, and tailored to the specific job requirements – and always proofread and edit your cover letter carefully to ensure it is error-free. By being concise and focussing on your strongest points, your cover letter can capture the attention of the hiring manager and convince them to call you up and find out more.

What is the ideal length for a cover letter?

The ideal length for a cover letter is around 250–400 words, or no more than one page. However, this may differ depending on the industry or role that you’re applying for. 

Can a cover letter be too short?

Yes, a cover letter can be too short, if it doesn’t include enough information. It should highlight the reasons why you’re applying and why you’d be a good fit for the role. The cover letter should be long enough to convey why they should hire you, touch on key points from the selection criteria or job ad, and give an insight into your personality and enthusiasm for the role.

Is a two-page cover letter ever acceptable?

Yes, a two-page cover letter may be acceptable, but only in limited circumstances. For example, if the job ad asks for a long-form cover letter, or the role you’re applying for requires a significant amount of skills and experience to be addressed, then a two-page cover letter may be acceptable.

How can I fit all my experience into the recommended cover letter length?

You don’t need to fit all of your experience into the cover letter. Instead, choose two or three of your most relevant skills or experiences and go into detail about how you’ve shown these in previous roles. Your goal is to prioritise matching the key criteria.

Should the cover letter length vary by industry?

Generally all cover letters should be a maximum of one page long, across all industries. Hiring managers often have a lot of applications to read through, and being short, clear and concise makes it easier to read and more engaging. 

Do employers actually read cover letters, and does length matter?

Yes, employers do read cover letters. However, many applications are first screened and filtered by computer software ( applicant tracking system ) that looks for specific skills and experience. The ones that pass this first check are read by the hiring manager or recruiter. Cover letters are a great way for an employer to gain insight into your personality and whether you’d fit the company culture.

How can I make my cover letter concise without omitting important information?

You don’t have to include all your experience in the cover letter, limit it to the top three relevant skills or experiences that are strengths of yours . Edit your cover letter to be clear and concise, and not too wordy. Remove any redundant or generic sentences that don’t add value. 

How to format a cover letter? 

Use a standard business letter format, including your contact information, the date, the recipient's contact information, a greeting, body paragraphs, and a closing. Use a professional font like a sans-serif with a 11pt or 12pt font size, maintain a margin of 1 inch around the document, and keep it all consistent.

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Resumes & Cover Letters

Creating a dynamic resume and cover letter can set you on the right path in acquiring your dream job. Learn how to create documents that will make you stand out to potential employers.

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Resume Writing Tips

What is a resume

What is a Resume?

Your resume is a concise summary of your qualifications that relate to the position for which you are applying. It serves as an advertisement of what you have to offer and creates a prospective employer’s first impression of you. Employers screen resumes in between 2.5 and 10 seconds, so your resume should quickly capture the reader’s interest.  A resume distills to one page all of your education, training, leadership, and work experience in relationship to your potential value to an employer or an opportunity.

Brainstorm a list of experiences and skills that you might want to include in a resume. Consider your academic background, paid and volunteer work or internships, research projects, awards, and special skills. Once you have compiled your list, you can start organizing this information to the position or industry that you are targeting.

Gathering Career Information

After you have completed your personal inventory and have developed your career goals, you will then want to research these career areas and those employers that are active in them. For each potential position you need to know the qualifications, duties, and skills required for the job, and any special talents or personal characteristics sought by the employer.

Organizing Your Resume

Your name, address, telephone number, and email address are centered at the top of the page or placed to one side. Do not use headings such as "name," "telephone," "resume." This information is self-evident and the headings are unnecessary.

If you state a career objective, it should be brief, concise and address the current job only, not future career plans. This category should be used only when your job objective is clear or definite.

Your educational history should be placed near or at the top of the page if it is your most important qualification. Under this heading include the names of schools, degrees, major, minor or concentration and dates received or expected graduation.

These areas can be titled "Work Experience," or "Professional Experience,”  “Volunteer Experience,”  Internship Experience" or "Related Experience.” In describing your work experience, use action words which will show your strengths and skills.

This category can include club and professional memberships, awards, honors, volunteer experience, and community service.

Skills included should be hard skills, technical experience, or knowledge of another language. Academic or work accomplishments can be included.

Choosing a Format

There is no single prescribed resume format but the two basic styles of resumes are chronological and functional. Some resumes use features of both and are called combination resumes. 

• This is the most widely used and familiar format. The experience section is listed in chronological order, starting with your most recent experience. It is most effective when the job target is in line with your experience and academic background.
• If your most relevant experience for a particular career field was not your most recent, it can be featured by creating two "experience" sections. These can be called "Related Experience" and "Other Work Experience." By separating the information into two categories, you can maintain a chronological format while emphasizing your most pertinent skills.
• The functional resume highlights skills and accomplishments and de-emphasizes specific job titles, organizations, and dates of employment. Functional resumes are appropriate if you have held a number of unrelated jobs, the position that you are seeking is outside the academic field, or there are significant gaps in your work history.

General Resume Guidelines

• Font : Use an easy-to-read font such as Times New Roman, Arial, Calibri, Cambria, or Garamond.
• Size : Stay between 10 pt. and 12 pt. Your name can be larger than 12 pt.
• Margins   : 0 .5-1” margins all around
• Must be well-organized, neat, and concise.
• Proofread to make sure grammar, punctuation, and spelling are flawless.
• Use "bulleted" statements rather than complete sentences where appropriate.
• Use quantities, amounts, dollar values where they enhance the description of what you did.
• Do not use "I".
• Do not include hobbies, avocational, or social interests.
• Put the strongest statements or qualifications at the top.

Common Mistakes in a Resume

• Spelling Mistakes -   Be sure that there are no spelling errors, poor word choice, or misuse of language.
• Repetitive Words   -   Do not use the same action verb repeatedly to describe your work experience.   List of action verbs
• Leaving Out Dates-   It might seem like you are trying to hide certain information.
• Just having One Version   -   Tailor your résumé for each job for which you are applying.
• No Cover Letter-   A cover letter should be sent out with every résumé.
• Unprofessional Email Address   - Use a professional address such as your school email or email that only includes your first and last name.
• Cluttered Information - Filter out information that might seem irrelevant to the position.
• Including Personal Information   -   Personal information, like age, gender, and head shot should not be included on your résumé (unless you are a performing arts student).
• Using Abbreviations or Contractions   - Be sure to omit abbreviations or contractions in your words or sentences.

Resume Writing & Review Platforms

View Resume Samples and utilize Action Verbs to enhance your resume.

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Resumes are a vital part of you landing your dream job. To get that standout resume, you now have access to a powerful and easy-to-use automated online resume review platform from Hiration, your Virtual Resume Assistant.

Get instant feedback from Hiration right after submitting your resume. Analyze your resume anytime, anywhere, 24/7. So no need to wait for someone to have your resume reviewed.

Visit our Hiration Page to learn more!

Titan Resume Builder

The objective of the Titan Resume Builder is to help students produce higher quality resumes on a 24/7 basis on- or off-campus through the portal.

It is easy to use, with examples specified to majors and fields of study. The Titan Resume Builder allows you to build, manage, and control multiple resumes.

Access Titan Resume Builder    Note: You will be prompted to login with your portal username and password if you are not already logged in.

If you need assistance with any aspect of this service, please contact the Career Center at   [email protected] .

Cover Letter Tips

An effective cover letter is just as important as an effective resume. The cover letter accompanies the resume - it is the piece of paper that the prospective employer sees first. You should write a cover letter even if the employer/recruiter does not require one.

The cover letter is an opportunity to:

• Direct the resume to a specific person.
• Describe briefly what you know about the job and employer.
• Provide key qualifications that relate to the specific position for which you are applying.

Pain Free Cover Letter  pdf file PDF file type   - A Step-by-Step Guide

Utilize   grammarly@edu,  a free CSUF student resource, to help with your grammar and  writing style for your cover letter. 

Writing a Cover Letter

Part 1: "Make the Match" - A Brief Introduction Statement

If you have been referred by someone known to the company, (an employee, alumnus, a professor, etc.) use that person's name in your opening paragraph, and indicate why the contact referred you to that particular company or position opening. If you do not have a personal referral, the introduction should include why you are writing, much like an objective or profile summary on a resume.

Part 2: "Make the Case" - Why Should They Hire You?

This section of the cover letter is where you build an argument for why you should be hired by highlighting your key strengths and skills. Do not repeat the content of your resume, but point to the skills and experience in your resume that relate to the position. You can provide examples and details that support your qualifications. If you are able to make a compelling case for your candidacy in this section, the employer will look at your resume for confirmation of your claims.

Part 3: "Make the Close" - Finish Strong

The last section "closes" the letter by recapping what you have to offer and how you are a fit for the position. It suggest that the reader look at your resume, give it positive consideration, and schedule you for an interview. Also, state what your own next action will be.

Follow-Up & Thank You letters

• An appropriate way to maintain contact with the interviewer. These letters should be brief and should express your appreciation for the interview and confirm your interest in the company.
• Send a thank you letter for every contact. It can be an email or a handwritten letter.
• Write it on the same day as the interview if possible.
• Be personal, specific, and genuine in your thanks.
• Correct any significant misunderstanding you may have realized after the interview.
• There are different ways to decline an offer, depending on the history of your contact with the employer or recruiter. If the offer comes in an email or a voice mail message, your best option would be to respond promptly. It is important that you display your professionalism throughout all stages of the job search, even if you are not interested in the job.

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Event Date Mon, Sep 9, 2024 @ 9:00am - 10:00am

Write a winning cover letter.

Room: Zoom  | Contact:  [email protected]  | Presented by: Learning and Organizational Development | Event Type: Workshops and Training |

Yes, cover letters are still important to include with your application and can make or break your chances of getting an interview. After all, they serve as the first example of your work and communication skills. This workshop will give you the tools to write a compelling cover letter that clearly articulates why you’re the right person for the job. We’ll discuss whom to address it to, how long it should be, and how it can be used to communicate your interest in and fit for the job.

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Employment Resources for People Recovering From Substance Abuse Issues

Job Search Tips For People in Recovery

Resume building tips for people in recovery, interview preparation for people in recovery, what are you legally required to disclose to employers, maintain your support network during recovery, resources for recovering job seekers.

In the U.S., over 19 million Americans suffer from substance abuse issues. The road to recovery is long, filled with lifelong trials and tribulations—yet many people encounter one major challenge: reentering the workforce after achieving sobriety. And a lack of employment and career prospects is a leading cause of relapse.

Although reentering the workforce after treatment can be difficult, your past does not dictate your future. With perseverance and diligence, you have every opportunity to build a career that brings you fulfillment. Throughout this guide, we’ll provide you with valuable insights and resources to drive your job search forward.

Job seekers in recovery face several unique challenges that can impact employment prospects and career advancement. If substance abuse issues affected your performance in previous roles, you might lack references to help with the job search. You may also encounter unconscious biases from hiring managers if your struggles with addiction are revealed during a background check.

Despite these obstacles, achieving your long-term career goals with careful planning and diligence is more than possible. Taking the time to develop the right job search strategy will significantly improve the strength of your application and maximize your chances of landing the interview. Below, you’ll find expert tips for a successful job hunt as you recover:

Identify your career goals

The first step in the job search process is taking time to self-reflect. Were you happy in your previous position? Did the stress of your job contribute to substance abuse issues? Can you see yourself working in this field five years from now? If the answer is no, you may want to chart a new career path as you reenter the workforce.

For many individuals, unhappiness with their employment prospects and stress from a poor work-life balance were contributing factors to reliance on drugs and alcohol in the first place. Although transitioning to a new field is rarely easy, it can be worth the time investment if it means finding a job you’re genuinely passionate about.

One path you can take is to continue your education. Going back to school full-time may not be an option for everyone, as you’ll likely need to find employment immediately to meet your current financial needs and obligations. That said, investing in your education can positively impact your future career prospects, and a vast array of online programs are available that you can balance effectively with your schedule.

If you were happy in your previous career, you could take steps to find a position in your current field. Prior connections within your industry can help you find openings, and you could also consider obtaining additional certifications to bolster your skill sets and enhance the strength of your application. This will also show prospective employers that you’re passionate about further developing your industry expertise and could help alleviate concerns related to an employment gap.

Utilize your network and connections

As you reenter the workforce, you’ll want to leverage your connections, professional network, and support groups to identify potential job opportunities. If you still have contacts within your industry from previous jobs, you’ll want to connect with them first to find opportunities matching your current skill sets.

You can also seek guidance from sponsors and connections you’ve made in your support groups. These individuals understand your challenges and can provide valuable insights to help you reenter the workforce. You may find that a connection you’ve made during recovery may have a contact in your field. Your support network may also be able to guide you in obtaining coaching from a career service professional or finding job fair events. Although it’s never easy to ask for help, remember that recovery is a complex process and a burden that no one needs to shoulder alone.

Manage your expectations

It’s important to manage your expectations and avoid becoming discouraged as you begin the application process. Finding the ideal position takes time, especially when recovering from addiction, and you’ll need to remain patient to find the ideal position for your long-term goals. If you receive rejection after an interview, use it as a learning experience to improve. There are many reasons hiring managers may choose to select another candidate for a position, and you don’t want to allow a rejection to impact your confidence or optimism during the job search.

Once you’ve identified your career path, you’ll need to create a compelling resume to generate interview opportunities during the job search. Even if you have a gap in your employment history, you can still make a positive impression on the hiring manager by featuring a compelling overview of your career accomplishments and prominent skill sets. As you craft your content, you’ll want to tailor your document toward individual job applications carefully.

Take the time to evaluate the organization’s needs and draw attention to aspects of your industry experience that align with the company’s goals. For more guidance, we have numerous resume examples across all professions and industries to help you build your document.

• Craft an accomplishment-driven resume that highlights the most relevant achievements from your previous employment with an emphasis on metrics, numbers, and end-results
• Create an eye-catching professional profile that draws attention to prominent skill sets and industry expertise that organizations are looking for
• Provide accurate employment dates but avoid providing a direct explanation for gaps, as you want to keep the reader’s focus on the positive aspects of your career experience
• Tailor your resume towards individual job descriptions and Applicant Tracking Systems by incorporating specific key terms that match the position requirements

Addressing employment gaps on the resume

If you have a significant gap in your timeline, it’s likely to draw the attention of prospective employers during the application process. Although it’s almost certainly something you’ll need to address during the interview, drawing the reader’s focus towards the gap by including an explanation on the resume will only invite more scrutiny.

In most instances, it’s better to leverage your professional achievements, industry expertise, and relevant skill sets to demonstrate why you’re qualified for the position rather than draw more attention to something negative. If the hiring manager thinks you’re a strong candidate, you’ll have the opportunity to explain the break in your timeline later during the interview.

Remember to update your LinkedIn profile

After building your resume, you’ll want to create a LinkedIn profile to apply for positions and explore additional networking opportunities by joining online groups. You’ll also be able to include content that you wouldn’t typically feature on the resume.

One aspect that makes the LinkedIn profile distinct is the About Section. Here, you’ll be able to create a more extended professional summary that draws attention to your core professional values and industry expertise. If a hiring manager is interested in bringing you in for an interview, they’ll likely search for you on the platform to evaluate your profile, so you’ll want to ensure that your profile is compelling and adds value to your job search.

It’s natural to be nervous prior to an interview, especially if you’ve taken a significant leave of absence from the workforce while seeking treatment. Many people in recovery feel anxiety about employers asking about employment gaps or negative biases stemming from their substance abuse disorders.

Preparing responses to sample interview questions or conducting mock interviews with a career coach can help you feel more confident when conversing with prospective employers. You’ll also want to dress professionally for in-person and virtual interviews, as you want to make a positive impression on the hiring manager during your first meeting.

How to explain gaps in the resume during the interview

Substance abuse issues and rehab can result in significant employment gaps. If the gap is substantial enough, it’ll draw the hiring manager’s attention, and you’ll likely be asked about it during the interview. Although you won’t necessarily need to disclose that you were receiving treatment for substance abuse issues, you will need to explain why you were unemployed.

You could tell the hiring manager that you had to step away from your previous job while dealing with a personal issue or medical condition that has since been resolved. If you were let go by your last employer, you don’t need to reveal this information directly. Instead, you could explain that your skill sets didn’t match the organization’s needs or that the previous position didn’t align with your long-term career goals.

Job seekers with a history of substance abuse are protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act . In most cases, you won’t need to tell the hiring manager that you received addiction treatment. The only situation where you’ll need to confront this issue head-on is if something in your legal history may come up on a background check. In this situation, getting ahead of it and having an honest conversation with prospective employers is better.

Many companies will have empathy and even admiration for taking steps to seek help and improve your life. By telling your side of the story, you have more control over the narrative, whereas if a prior legal charge comes up in the background check, the employer may feel that you were hiding information. Although it’s rarely ideal to discuss a personal medical issue with the hiring manager, it’s better to have an open dialogue with employers if the background check will reveal the information.

If you need to disclose your struggles with addiction to employers due to a legal issue, you can still frame your recovery journey in a positive way. For instance, you could explain to the hiring manager that overcoming these challenges would make you a valuable member of their team. If you choose to tell your story, be sure not to overshare, as you always want to keep the focus of the interview on your qualifications for the job.

Overcoming substance abuse and addiction is a lifelong journey. No matter how many years of sobriety a person has, there’s always a risk of a relapse. During the early phases of recovery, your chances of falling back into addiction are often much higher. Jay Westbrook , an award-winning clinician, notes, “Researchers are accumulating evidence to support a theory that substance abuse is caused by, more than anything else, either a lost sense of connection or never having been able to find a sense of connection.”

One way to find a sense of connection is to listen to and observe the shared experiences of other people in recovery by continuing to attend meetings in a 12-step program such as AA or NA. You could also find support in your family, friends, and loved ones. Finding your passion for a new job, hobby, or healthy activity is another avenue for building and maintaining a positive sense of connection in your life. Whether you choose to attend meetings with an organization or rely on your close relationships, having a strong support network is essential to moving forward in recovery.

Thousands of non-profit organizations across the country offer valuable resources to job seekers in recovery. These organizations can help you find job fairs, update your resume, or get career advice to move forward during your job search. Recovery presents a number of unique challenges to the job search process and leveraging these available resources can help you gain an advantage. Below, you’ll find a list of ten national organizations offering career services to people in recovery:

Career One Stop

Sponsored by the United States Department of Labor, Career One Stop is a national organization with a variety of valuable resources for job seekers in recovery. This organization features an online portal where you can take self-assessment surveys on your current skill sets to aid you in identifying the right career path. Career One Stop also provides resources in finding job fairs, career coaching services, resume writing help, and job training programs.

Recovery Career Services

This non-profit organization was founded by Ty Reed, who overcame substance abuse issues to become a prominent career coach and thought leader. Recovery Career Services offers valuable resources to job seekers in recovery, including coaching and professional development programs. The site also features articles and a YouTube series providing insights into the challenges of reentering the workforce after treatment and advice on overcoming them.

Rehab Centers, State Programs, and Unemployment Offices

Many rehab centers offer career services to people in recovery to aid them in obtaining employment after completing a rehabilitation program. Another option is to explore non-profit organizations within your state or connect with a state department to get additional resources to aid you during the job search. For instance, Massachusetts offers a state-funded program, Access to Recovery (ATR), which provides MA residents with six-month treatment and employment services.

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Wed, 08/07/2024

Letter From the Editor, Summer/Fall 2024

By Abby Sun

It’s the summer of conferences, conventions, and gatherings of all sorts, in so many different places. There are snap elections, presidential nomination conventions, the Paris Olympics, documentary conferences, and Thierry Fremaux’s wish to have a Cannes “free of polemics,” despite the presence of heavily armed gendarmes patrolling the streets and testing new biometric surveillance technology. In gathering, we create images and reports. Some of them are mundane. And some of them become talismans, like the photographs and videos of a former American president fist-pumping with a bleeding ear. But none of them, alone, are evidence of our togetherness or divisiveness. 

Because these documents, such as documentary films, are not merely snapshots in time. These images—and all images—are, as stated by cinematographer and filmmaker Kirsten Johnson in her keynote address at Getting Real ’24, “ongoing relationships between the people who made them and the people who see them, as long as they last.” That is, it’s up to us, in the now, to negotiate what happens after gatherings. To bestow certain stories with the power of being told and retold.

Ten years ago, MoMA held a mid-career retrospective for Bill Morrison, whose entire practice is devoted to reimbuing meaning into discarded images. This year, film institutions are once again spotlighting his work in series and retrospectives. In the interim, his avant-garde excavations using degraded films as the source material, narrative spine, and object of critique have recently morphed to encompass digital archives. In our cover feature, Carmine Grimaldi examines Morrison’s body of work to draw a formal and political continuum between the old work and new. 

A different type of retelling occurs in the transformation of Lawrence Wright’s  New Yorker articles to the nonfiction bestseller  God Save Texas , and then from page to screen. Robin Berghaus vividly pieces together the stories behind the making of the three-part docuseries, which is also named  God Save Texas . Outside of the U.S., interest in Argentine experimental filmmaker Narcisa Hirsch’s oeuvre is undergoing a steady revival. Victor Guimarães and Lucía Requojo dive deep into the work of the maverick feminist filmmaker and writer, who passed away this May. 

The “Making a Production” strand follows the last issue’s focus on creative documentaries with Sudipto Sanyal’s profile on NoCut Film Collective, a trio of young filmmakers whose solidarity and patience extends from their production practices to their critically acclaimed filmmaking. For “What’s in My Bag,” we asked Emmy Award–winning cinematographer Victor Tadashi Suárez to give us a peek at his tried-and-trues on productions of every scale, from intimate, indie verité to streamer-produced interviews on sound stages. Attorney Michael Donaldson returns to  Documentary to notify us about U.S. legislation that could protect documentary films and outtakes from being subpoenaed in court. “Screen Time” continues with capsule-length reviews on notable new late summer and early fall releases.

To drop us a line, write  [email protected] . Thanks for your continued readership and support.

Abby Sun  

Editor , Documentary Magazine

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Gov. Tim Walz is Kamala Harris’ running mate. What happens now in Minnesota politics?

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The selection of Gov. Tim Walz as a Democratic vice presidential candidate could trigger a cascade of political leadership changes in Minnesota — if the newly minted ticket wins.

But it’s important to note at the outset that the timing of any Walz departure from the Minnesota governor’s office would dictate everything.

Here are the ways the dominoes could fall:

Would Tim Walz be required to leave office to run for vice president?

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It wouldn’t be in his interest to give up the governor’s office until after the election results are known, because he can remain governor if he and Vice President Kamala Harris lose the presidential election in November.

Walz has two-plus years remaining on his second term. He hasn’t even said what would come after 2026, leaving the door open to another run for governor or something else. Minnesota doesn’t have term limits.

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• Be informed Minnesota Voter Guide from MPR News

If he does resign, who will fill his spot in Minnesota?

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, a fellow Democrat, would become Minnesota’s next governor under succession steps laid out in the Minnesota Constitution . Flanagan would be the first female governor in Minnesota and the first Native American woman to serve as governor in the country. She is a member of the White Earth Nation.

She would be the eighth lieutenant governor in Minnesota to climb the ladder. It last happened in 1976 when then-Gov. Wendell Anderson resigned his office to take the U.S. Senate seat opened by Walter Mondale’s impending ascension to the vice presidency. Rudy Perpich moved up.

In 1943, Lt. Gov. Edward Thye became governor upon the resignation of Gov. Harold Stassen.

Two other resignations in the 1800s resulted in a political promotion as well.

Three times in Minnesota’s history, a governor’s death in office led to the lieutenant governor moving up, according to records kept by the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library .

Who becomes lieutenant governor?

Under the line of succession, the Minnesota Senate president moves up. 

This is where things get trickier and murkier. 

Currently, that’s four-term DFL Sen. Bobby Joe Champion of Minneapolis. But that doesn’t mean he’ll get the job. 

It depends on a lot of factors, including which party controls the Senate when Walz submits his resignation.

The 67-member chamber is currently tied 33-33. Sen. Kelly Morrison, DFL-Deephaven, resigned her seat to run for Congress in Minnesota’s 3rd District. A special election in November will determine who wins the seat — and the Senate majority heading into the 2025 session.

If Democrats win the seat there could be stability in the Senate president’s chair. The party could also opt to elect a new president if Champion decided he didn’t want the lieutenant governor’s post; after all, he could always try to reclaim the Senate president post later given that a new one of those would be chosen next. 

Last month, Champion told reporters that he’s not yet considering what a climb up the political ranks might mean for him.

If Republicans win, upon the election certification of the new senator — as soon as mid-November — they could move to have that person sworn in to give the GOP a 34-33 edge.

When the Legislature reconvenes in mid-January, the party could put one of their own in the Senate president’s seat. 

Or GOP members could work a political angle, perhaps installing a swing-seat Democrat as president with the awareness that person would be tugged up the chain. That would open that elevated senator’s seat for another special election.

Is there a deadline for Walz to resign?

It would be largely up to him. He could resign soon after the election or wait a bit.

Walz would not be sworn in as vice president until Inauguration Day on Jan. 20, so conceivably he could keep the Minnesota post right up until then.

Given that the Legislature comes back on Jan. 14 for the next session, the musical chairs in the Senate could be settled soon after that and give Walz a clear picture of what would be in the rearview mirror.

How might it affect the state Senate’s operations?

The Senate would be down a member until that resulting special election is held. There is a possibility it could be done prior to the 2025 session, but also the possibility it wouldn’t occur until February or March.

That might mean a 33-33 party split for the opening weeks of a budget-year session. The state House majority, currently held by Democrats, is also at stake this November.

It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve seen problems generated by the ascendancy of a senator to the lieutenant governor post in Minnesota. In 2017, then Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Lt. Gov. Tina Smith to the U.S. Senate seat left open by Al Franken’s resignation. 

Then-Senate President Michelle Fischbach, a Republican who now represents a vast swath of western Minnesota in Congress, moved up to the role of lieutenant governor. But Fischbach tried to maintain that she could serve as both Lieutenant Governor and Senate President. 

Democrats sued Fischbach twice. In the first lawsuit, a Ramsey County district judge ruled that the Senate had the duty to determine eligibility of its members and the case was dismissed . Democrats sued Fischbach again a few months later, but the case was dropped when the legislative session ended and Fischbach resigned from the Senate to accept an invitation to be Tim Pawlenty’s running mate in the governor’s race. They ultimately lost.

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