Short Cover Letter: Samples, Tips, and Key Elements
Short cover letters deliver a lot of information in a short time, leaving a strong impression. They’re understandable, engaging, and more likely to be read from start to finish. While these documents are effective, it’s difficult to craft a successful one – you must be concise and make every word count. In this guide, review compelling short cover letter samples and learn how to write your own with expert tips.
What is a short cover letter?
A short cover letter (or mini cover letter) is a brief job application document detailing your background and fit for the position. The purpose of a cover letter is to present your qualifications and motivations concisely, so these shorter documents are perfect for most job seekers.
Quick cover letters are ideally about three paragraphs long and contain an introduction, body section, and closing. They have just enough space to discuss your experience and relevance to the open position, provide a few achievements, and encourage the hiring manager to contact you.
These letters are effective for most candidates. With a thorough, polished resume, you won’t need to stuff details into your cover letter, allowing it to be quick and succinct. However, mid-level professionals may need an extra paragraph. If you have over 10 years of crucial experience or you’re in a complex field, like academics or science, you’d likely benefit from a five-paragraph or even a two-page cover letter.
Benefits of simple cover letters
A short, easy cover letter isn’t just simpler for you to write. It also makes the hiring manager’s job smoother and shows respect for their time, so they’re more likely to read it.
Recruiters review dozens of applications daily, and hundreds weekly and only take a moment to scan each one – 48% of hiring managers take 30 seconds to two minutes to read a cover letter. (1) Keeping a cover letter brief and condensing crucial information increases the chances that employers will see something eye-catching in those 30 seconds.
These documents also show clarity, professionalism, and communication skills. The ability to convey your message in a few words is a desirable skill, and a quick cover letter subtly showcases it.
Expert tip:
Keep an eye on the length of your paragraphs. While a three-paragraph letter is effective, don’t try to fit too much information in it. Your middle paragraph (the body) should be the longest but still shouldn’t exceed four to six lines. If you’re struggling to condense the information, consider writing a longer letter.
Key elements of an effective quick cover letter
While all cover letters have varying content, they follow the same basic structure. Copy these sections into your application to create a strong letter – or even better, use a professional cover letter template.
Here are the key elements of a short cover letter.
Header
A cover letter header is a brief list of your contact information and isn’t counted as one of the paragraphs. It should be at the very top of the document and include the following details:
- Full name
- Phone number
- Email address
- Location (city and state only)
- Additional URLs (such as portfolios or LinkedIn profiles)
We recommend you limit your location to city and state only, but there are occasions to provide more information. Learn more in our guide on putting addresses on resumes.
First paragraph: Introduction
First, greet the hiring manager, preferably by name. Check the company website or LinkedIn to find their full name. If you can’t find it, start with something professional yet neutral, like “Dear Hiring Manager” or “To the team at [Company name].”
Start a cover letter strongly. You should introduce yourself, mention where you found the job ad, and quickly explain your experience in the first paragraph. This section should be two to three lines of text and highly relevant to encourage the hiring manager to read further.
Second paragraph: Body
The body paragraph should draw a direct comparison between the employer’s needs and your experience. Read the job description, note the skills and responsibilities, and discuss your related history.
This is the longest section in a quick cover letter and is typically four to six lines long, so feel free to include extra details, like quantified achievements. Consider your past accomplishments and measure them with numbers and percentages to give a tangible impact to your work in fewer words.
Third paragraph: Closing
This paragraph will be another brief one (two to three lines). Be professional yet energetic to show your motivation and end on a positive note. Express your excitement and encourage the hiring manager to contact you – ending on a call to action shows your enthusiasm and interest.
Short cover letter samples
Review these cover letter examples to get started. Check out the structure and language, and then use the inspiration to write your own.
Need inspiration for the rest of your application? Check out our resume samples for examples of different career stages and industries.
Entry-level cover letter example
Dear Hiring Manager,
My name is Jordan Belle, and as a recent graduate with a Bachelor’s in Journalism, I was thrilled to see the open position for a Junior Editor on your website.
My keen attention to detail, grammar knowledge, and English language proficiency make me a strong candidate. I managed and maintained a university website blog, producing and publishing 4 well-researched articles monthly.
I’m eager to discuss this role further and would love the opportunity to expand on my experience. Contact me whenever it’s convenient for you, and we can talk about my qualifications.
Mid-level professional cover letter sample
Dear Karen Matheson,
I’m John Skier, a sales professional with 5 years of experience, and I was excited to see the open Sales Representative role on LinkedIn. I’ve always admired Stein Brothers Inc. and would be thrilled to add my negotiation and people skills to the team.
I’m eager to use my suite of sales skills, including CRM management, closing techniques, and rapport building. In my previous role as a Sales Representative at WatchIt, I built and managed customer relationships and secured new clients daily. From 2020 to 2022, I exceeded my monthly sales quota by an average of 25%.
Contact me at your earliest convenience and we can discuss the role in depth. I’m eager to explore this position further in an interview.
Career change cover letter example
Hello to the team at Silver Wings,
My name is Rebecca Wang, and I’m excited to apply for your open Junior Project Manager position. I have rich experience as an Account Manager, which gives me keen organization and client-facing skills to help me excel in this role.
In my current role as an Account Manager, I communicate with stakeholders daily and manage four unique projects. I maintain strong connections and manage expectations, leading to an average of 97% client satisfaction across all accounts. I have deep knowledge of project management tools and regularly delegate tasks, organize schedules, and deliver project updates.
I would love the opportunity to discuss my qualifications further. Contact me anytime, and we can connect
“With a thorough, polished resume, you won’t need to stuff details into your cover letter, allowing it to be quick and succinct.”
Tips for writing your own basic cover letter
Let’s finish up with a few strategies for writing a brief yet powerful cover letter. Here are our best tips and tricks:
- Tailor each letter: Read the job description thoroughly, and if possible, review the company’s website for more information. This allows you to create a tailored cover letter that addresses the employer’s needs directly.
- Proofread and edit: Re-read your letter, run it through a spellchecker, and ask a friend for feedback. Make sure each line is worthwhile and grammatically correct to get the most out of your space.
- Use bullet points: If you have a lot of information to share but still want the benefits of a short cover letter, detail your achievements in a brief bullet list. It should be no more than five points and replace the center paragraph.
- Align it with your resume: Use a professional resume maker to make sure your entire application stays succinct. These tools help you condense your information and fit a lot of details into a little space.
Common mistakes to avoid
Use this list of pitfalls and how to avoid them as a checklist whenever you’re creating an application to make sure it's professional and polished. Here are the most common mistakes:
- Clashing application: Jarringly different documents look odd or unprofessional. Use a matching cover letter and resume template for a tidier look.
- Too much information: Avoid adding too many details and try to keep it to three paragraphs. Most job seekers can comfortably condense this information, so try to trim it down if possible.
- Generic details: Quick cover letters only have three paragraphs to work with, so don’t waste space with cliched statements like “team player” or “hard worker.” Focus on specific, relevant value.
- Repeating achievements: A cover letter should complement a resume, not repeat it. Double-check your job application to make sure it doesn’t repeat key accomplishments and details.
Write a powerful short cover letter today
Basic cover letters convey your best achievements in a short space and get noticed by recruiters. These brief documents are the perfect accompaniment to a resume, helping you describe why you’re ideal for the role and land your dream job.
Bookmark this page and refer to our cover letter samples and tips whenever you apply for a job. Use our recommended structure, add your details, and always personalize it for your targeted role.
Use CVwizard’s cover letter maker to build an impressive application today. Make an account and jump in – it’s as easy as filling in the blanks and hitting “Download.”
References:
(1) LinkedIn, February 25, 2024: Twenty statistics to show you why cover letters are important for your job search
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