Throughout most of our lives, we’re told that when it comes
to writing, longer is better. From our first scrawled book reports to the
college admission essays that we lovingly labor over, long-windedness and
purple prose are usually praised and rewarded. On the other hand,
communications that are brief and to-the-point are typically seen as
advantageous only when it comes to informal emails and text messages. When we
really want to write well, we tend to write long.
It’s that mindset that probably explains why so many job
seekers fall into the trap of thinking that longer cover letters are more
likely to help them land their dream job. In some cases, this assumption might
actually be true. For example, if you’re applying for a technically demanding
position, or if you are responding to an ad that asks to see a number of
specific elements in your cover letter, you might have no choice but to extend
the length of your document for two or more pages.
One Size Does Not Fit All
Although there’s nothing inherently wrong with a longer
cover letter, most résumé experts tend to agree that shorter is usually better.
Because hiring managers who are sifting through stacks of cover letters and résumés
tend to give each applicant’s materials only a quick once-over before deciding
whether they’re worth a second look, you’re usually better off conveying as
much information as you can in as few words as possible. But what’s really
important is your ability to figure what kind of cover letter is suitable for
each position and tailoring the length of your document to match.
In the business world, the concept of “right-sizing” means
using exactly as much time, labor, and resources as each project requires – no
more, no less. You can apply the same principle to the process of crafting a
cover letter. Here are some guidelines to help you answer the age-old question
of how long your cover letter should be.
Is
the position highly technical?
If there are major credential,
experience, and education requirements for the position, you may need to point
these out in your cover letter just to ensure that you make it past the first
round of screening. If this is the case, try to cut down on some of the other
verbiage you might otherwise include to make sure the letter doesn’t run too
long.
Are
there specific cover letter requirements?
Often, hiring managers
use cover letter instructions in job postings to screen out applicants who
didn’t follow the instructions. Make sure to include any elements that are
requested. Again, you can balance out the excess length these elements add by
shrinking the other components of your cover letter.
How
many applicants will be vying for the position?
If the position
you are applying for is likely to draw dozens of candidates, it’s likely that
hiring managers are going to be sorting through a lot of applications. In order
to boost your chances of making it past the first round, aim for a shorter,
more concise cover letter that is top-loaded with your important information in
the first paragraph.
Are
written communication skills important to the position?
In the
hospitality industry, most hiring managers might be more concerned with your
ability to stay on your toes during the dinner rush than your ability to craft
a perfectly turned phrase. But if the position you’re applying for involves
written communication, it might be worth it to stretch out and strut your stuff
a bit in your cover letter. Extending the length of your document past the
one-page mark might well be worth if you use it as a chance to put your written
communication skills on display.
When
in doubt, stick to the basics.
If no special conditions or
circumstances apply, it’s probably best to try to limit your cover letter to
one page or less. One popular format for a brief and to-the-point cover letter
follows this model: first paragraph, outline what you bring to the position;
second paragraph, briefly outline your experience and credentials; and third
paragraph, explain why you’re a good fit for the position and the organization
in more detail. End your letter with what sales gurus term a “call to action” –
in this case, a request for an interview.
There are no hard-and-fast rules that dictate the perfect
length for a cover letter. The challenge lies in figuring out the most
appropriate cover-letter length for each position and doing your best within
those limits. Good luck!