How long should a cover letter be

The standard word count for most jobs

For mid-level roles at companies that use applicant tracking systems, 250 to 400 words is the target. Three to four short paragraphs. Recruiters spend less than a minute on a cover letter before deciding whether to read the resume, so every sentence needs to earn its place.

A useful structure is: one sentence on why this specific role interests you, two or three sentences on the most relevant thing you have done, one sentence connecting that to what the employer needs, and a short closing. That fills roughly 280 to 320 words without padding.

• Opening: name the role and one concrete reason you want it
• Middle: one or two achievements with numbers if you have them
• Connection: link your experience to a stated requirement in the job posting
• Close: a polite call to action, nothing more

Word counts by situation

The 250 to 400 word rule is a starting point. Adjust it based on what the role actually demands.

• Entry-level or graduate roles: 200 to 300 words. You have less experience to describe, so a shorter letter reads as confident rather than thin.
• Mid-level professional roles: 300 to 400 words. Enough space to show one or two relevant achievements without repeating the resume.
• Senior or executive roles: 350 to 500 words. Hiring managers at this level expect more context about leadership approach and strategic thinking.
• Academic, research or government roles: 400 to 600 words. These sectors have longer traditions and often expect more formal letters. Some government postings in Australia and Canada explicitly ask for a statement of claims, which can run longer.
• Creative industries (design, copywriting, advertising): 150 to 250 words. Brevity signals that you understand the medium. Let the portfolio do the work.
• Optional cover letter field: 150 to 200 words. If the system says optional, a short, sharp note is better than leaving it blank or writing a full letter.

What happens when a cover letter is too long

A letter over 500 words almost always contains repetition, filler or information that belongs in the resume. Common problems include restating every job title in chronological order, explaining why you are changing careers in three paragraphs when one would do, and closing with multiple sentences about being excited to discuss the opportunity.

Recruiters who receive hundreds of applications will skim or skip a long letter. A letter that runs to a second page is rarely read in full unless the role specifically requires one, such as a senior academic position or a government application with a mandatory selection criteria response.

What happens when a cover letter is too short

Two sentences is not a cover letter. It signals that you copied and pasted something generic or did not read the posting. For roles where a cover letter is required, a letter under 150 words looks like low effort.

The exception is when the application system gives you a small text box with a character limit. In that case, write to the limit and treat it as a pitch rather than a letter.

Country differences worth knowing

In the US and Canada, one page is the firm norm. Recruiters at most private-sector companies expect 250 to 400 words and nothing more.

In the UK, cover letters for corporate roles follow the same one-page rule, but public sector and NHS roles often ask for a supporting statement that can run to two pages. Read the job advert carefully.

In Australia, government roles at the APS level require a pitch or statement of claims rather than a traditional cover letter. These are structured responses to selection criteria and can run 400 to 800 words depending on the level. Private sector roles follow the same 250 to 400 word standard as the US.

How Break-In Bad writes cover letters to the right length

When Break-In Bad writes a tailored cover letter for a job, it pulls from facts you have already confirmed during the resume process. It reads the full job posting, identifies the two or three requirements that matter most and writes a letter that addresses those specifically, at the length the role calls for.

You review the letter before anything is submitted. Nothing is sent without your approval, and the letter is built from what you actually said, not invented details.

A quick template you can use today

This structure keeps you inside the 300 to 380 word range for a standard professional role.

Paragraph 1 (40 to 60 words): State the role, where you saw it and one specific reason this company interests you. Avoid generic phrases like 'I am excited to apply.' Name something real, such as a product, a recent initiative or a stated company value.

Paragraph 2 (100 to 130 words): Describe one relevant achievement. Use a number if you have one. 'Reduced onboarding time from six weeks to three by rebuilding the training materials' is more useful than 'improved onboarding processes.'

Paragraph 3 (80 to 100 words): Connect your background to one or two requirements from the job posting. Quote the posting lightly if it helps. 'You are looking for someone who can manage cross-functional projects without a dedicated PM. In my last role, I coordinated three product launches across engineering, marketing and legal with no project manager assigned.'

Paragraph 4 (30 to 50 words): Close simply. Thank them for their time, say you would welcome a conversation and leave it there.