Keep your cover letter between 250 and 400 words, aim for three or four paragraphs, and never let it spill past one page. That range is tight enough for a recruiter to read in under a minute but long enough to show you understand the role. The opening lines matter most, hiring managers skim, so if you bury your strongest point in the third paragraph, it may never get seen.

Why 250 to 400 Words Works

Most hiring advice settles on that window because it forces you to pick your best material. A cover letter shorter than 250 words usually lacks enough detail to prove you can do the job. One longer than 400 words starts to test a recruiter’s patience. Many online application forms also enforce a character limit, not a word limit. A 400-word letter can easily run a few thousand characters depending on how your sentences are built. Paste your draft into a free word counter and check both totals before you submit.

Staying under one page is non-negotiable. A multi-page cover letter signals that you didn't take time to edit. Recruiters want a quick read, not a full biography.

Character Counts Vs. Word Counts

Online application boxes often count characters, not words. A system that allows a certain number of characters will fill up fast if you use long sentences or bullet points with lots of spaces. Here is what to watch for:

  • Check both counts. A letter of the recommended length can exceed a character cap if you use long words or write in multi-clause sentences.
  • Count spaces. Character limits usually include spaces, so a typical cap leaves room for roughly a few hundred words of plain English.
  • Trim after pasting. If you paste into a text box and hit the limit, cut filler phrases and repeated points from your CV instead of removing the strongest numbers.

Tools that show characters and words side by side let you adjust before you hit submit. No recruiter will see the parts you cut.

A Structure That Covers the Basics

The most efficient cover letter follows a three-part structure. Each section has a job to do, and none of them should repeat what is already on your resume.

Why This Role

Open by naming the specific position and company. Explain briefly why you want that job, not the company’s mission statement, but the actual work. For example: “I am applying for the Junior Analyst role because the combination of data pipeline management and client reporting matches my day-to-day work at my current position.” That sentence shows you read the posting and understand what the job involves.

One or Two Matching Achievements

Pick the one or two strongest achievements that directly relate to the role. Use numbers or concrete results where you can: “I reduced report turnaround time significantly in six months” tells a recruiter more than “I am good at meeting deadlines.” Keep each achievement to one or two sentences. If your CV already lists the project, do not rewrite the whole story.

Short Close With a Call to Action

End with one sentence that thanks the reader and asks for the next step. “I would welcome the chance to discuss how my experience with data quality checks could help your team meet its upcoming deadlines.” That is polite, direct, and gives the recruiter a reason to call you.

Cut Filler and Repeated Points

Every word in a cover letter should earn its place. Common filler includes:

  • “I am writing to apply for…”, the application itself already shows you are applying.
  • “I believe I am a good fit because…”, let the achievements speak for themselves.
  • “As you can see from my attached resume…”, the recruiter will look at the resume without being told to.

If a bullet point from your CV already explains a result, do not repeat it in the letter. Use the cover letter to add context or to highlight a single result that is especially relevant. Cutting those repeated points alone can shrink a long draft down to the recommended length.

How to Write Your Opening Lines First

Recruiters skim, so the first three sentences determine whether they keep reading or move to the next applicant. Write the opening last, after you know your best achievement. Then trim it to two or three sentences. An opener like “I saw the Senior Designer posting and wanted to apply because my experience leading a three-person team on a rebrand project directly matches what you are looking for” tells the recruiter everything they need to decide to keep reading. Do not start with a generic summary of your career. Start with the match.