Writing a Killer Cover Letter: Length and Structure Tips
Most cover letters are skimmed in under a minute. A tight, well-structured letter under 400 words usually outperforms a longer one that repeats the resume.
Structure over length
A strong cover letter typically has three parts: why you're interested in this specific role, one or two concrete examples that prove you can do the job, and a short, confident close. Each part needs only a paragraph or two.
Don't restate the resume
If a bullet point already lists your accomplishment, the cover letter should add context or a story around it — not just repeat it in sentence form.
Match the tone to the company
A startup pitch deck company and a government agency expect different registers — read a few of the company's own public posts to calibrate before you write.
Once drafted, check your word count. If you're well over 400 words, look first at whether the opening paragraph is doing real work or just warming up.
Key takeaways
- Keep it under 400 words — recruiters skim, they don't read closely.
- Add context or a story around your resume's bullet points instead of repeating them.
- Match your tone to the company's own public voice.
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