Is a 500-Word Cover Letter Too Long?

It is often recommended that a cover letter should be limited to one page, containing approximately 300–500 words. Within this range, you should be able to effectively showcase your skills, qualifications, and experience while keeping the content concise and focused.

A perfect cover letter definitely shouldn’t go beyond 500 words. Short cover letters are generally more welcomed by recruiters, especially since they have limited time to review each application thoroughly. A short application letter ensures they can quickly grasp your key strengths without sifting through excessive detail. 

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Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.