Craft an eye-catching short cover letter
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a two to three-page literary masterpiece to land a job interview. Sometimes, less is more when applying for a job. A basic cover letter conveys what you bring to the table, makes a strong first impression, and shows respect for the hiring manager's time. Below, you’ll see short cover letter samples for various situations so that you can identify when to keep your letter short and impactful.
What is a short cover letter?
A short cover letter is a condensed version of a traditional job application letter. You’ll typically limit a short cover letter to three to four paragraphs or around 150-200 words. It serves the same purpose but keeps things concise and focused.
Short cover letters are particularly effective in specific scenarios, such as when making career changes or when applying for an internal transfer. You may also need to craft a short cover letter when applying for a job via email.
For instance, a career change letter tends to be shorter, as referencing the full depth of your past experience may not make sense if it is not relevant to the new industry you are transitioning to.
An internal application cover letter can also be shorter. The employer already knows who you are and has full access to your work history with the company. A mini cover letter allows you to convey why you are interested in the internal move without inundating the hiring manager with information that they already have.
Benefits of short cover letters
A well-crafted short cover letter offers several advantages, including the following:
- Brevity: Hiring managers appreciate concise applications that quickly convey relevant information
- Time-Saving: You and the hiring team will save time by keeping letters short
- Higher Engagement: Employers are more likely to read your entire letter if it is short and engaging
On the other hand, employers may skim through a multi-page cover letter. If this happens, there’s a good chance that they will breeze right by the details or information that could help you stand out.
You spend a lot of time and energy creating your cover letter. Make sure that hiring teams hear your message loud and clear by keeping your content focused.
Key elements of an effective short cover letter
A short cover letter includes all of the core elements of longer documents, such as the following:
- Header: Include basics like your name, phone number, and email address
- Greeting: Open with a professional greeting, and address the hiring manager by name whenever possible
- Introduction: Start with a strong opening sentence that conveys enthusiasm and states the position you’re applying for
- Body Paragraph: Highlight a few relevant qualifications and complement the information on your resume
- Closing: End with a compelling call to action that expresses your interest in an interview
Learning the basic elements of a cover letter will ensure you don’t omit any critical information. However, you’ll also need to pull out some tricks and tips so your letter is engaging and impactful. With that in mind, let’s look at some short cover letter examples so you know what to include in your streamlined document.
Short cover letter samples
Here are some short cover letter samples for different scenarios, including the following:
Expert Tip:
Hiring managers appreciate applicants who quickly demonstrate their value and get to the point. They don’t want to see a lot of fluff or vague statements. Highlight specific achievements, and back up your claims with hard data whenever possible.
Career change
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am eager to apply for the nursing position at ABC Hospital. While my background is in education, my experience in teaching and conflict resolution has prepared me to excel in this role. I am excited to bring this expertise to ABC Hospital and would welcome a chance to discuss how my skills translate to your organization. Thank you for your time.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Internal promotion
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
Having been part of ABC Company for five years, I am excited to apply for the project manager role within my existing department. My experience as a team lead has allowed me to develop strong leadership skills and emotional intelligence, both of which will be invaluable when leading interdepartmental teams.
I am eager to step into a new role and contribute to ABC company in a greater capacity.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Email application
Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],
I am excited to apply for the copywriter position at ABC Company. With my background in copywriting and marketing, I am confident in my ability to contribute to your team on day one. My experience at BCD Company includes planning and executing weekly writing projects, interacting with clients, and applying feedback to improve content performance.
I would love the opportunity to discuss how I can bring value to ABC Company. Please find my resume attached for your review. Looking forward to your response.
Best regards,
[Your Name]
Each of these short cover letter samples is brief and to the point. However, each of them has a slightly different focus. The best way to ensure you know what to include in your documents is to review several cover letter examples relevant to your industry and experience level.
Tips for writing your own short cover letter
Reviewing short cover letter samples can provide some inspiration for creating your own concise cover letter and resume. However, you should also apply some proven tips and best practices to ensure your application stands out. You should:
- Tailor your letter to each job
- Ensure it’s error-free
- Keep the formatting clean, and let the document breathe
- Maintain a confident tone
Not sure where to begin? You can also use a cover letter generator to create the initial draft of your document and save time. Make sure to look it over closely and make some tweaks to ensure the document captures who you are as an applicant.
Also, remember that short cover letters are supposed to be exactly that. Let your content breathe, and don’t feel the need to cram in every last detail. Less is more.
Common mistakes to avoid
Avoiding common mistakes is just as important as following the latest cover letter best practices. Here are a few mistakes to be mindful of when writing your short cover letter:
- Being Too Generic: Avoid overused phrases and customize your document for the job
- Repeating the Resume: Don’t simply repeat everything in your resume
- Exceeding the Ideal Length: Keep your letter between 150-200 words
Failing to look at cover letter and resume examples is another common mistake. Use examples to better understand what is expected in terms of length, tone, and content quality.
"A basic cover letter conveys what you bring to the table, makes a strong first impression, and shows respect for the hiring manager's time."
Using a short and effective cover letter to stand out
A short cover letter can make a strong impression while respecting the hiring manager’s time. Focus on what you bring to the table, and list only one or two real-world examples that showcase your experience.
Ready to apply what you’ve learned from these short cover letter samples? Download a job letter template to jumpstart your writing process. Make sure to choose a complementary resume template so that your documents are cohesive and engaging.
