How to Write a Short Cover Letter

How to Write a Short Cover Letter

Spread the love

Writing a cover letter is something most job seekers don’t look forward to. Every cover letter you write needs to be tailored to the job you’re applying to – this can become a challenge when you’re applying to dozens of jobs a day. One solution is to write a short cover letter that gets straight to the point.

Many hiring managers still do read cover letters so unless otherwise stated, you should be sending a cover letter to each position you apply to. We’ll show you how to write a short cover letter along with a good example.


How to Write a Short Cover Letter


Step # 1

The first step to writing a short cover letter is to know exactly what you need to include. A common mistake job seekers make is writing a cover letter that is too long and unorganized. The perfect cover letter length is anywhere from 2- 4 paragraphs long.

Remember that a cover letter should quickly tells the employer:

  • The position you’re applying for
  • How you’re qualified
  • Major Relevant Accomplishments
  • Why you’d make a perfect fit for the position
  • A call to action (Inviting you for an interview)

The details of your work experience should be on your resume – the cover letter should entice the hiring manager to look into your resume in detail.


Step #2

The next step is to take a look at the job posting and see what relevant information you can include on your cover letter.

For example: If they emphasize that they’re looking for someone with an MBA – make sure that’s on your cover letter.

You should also list out any major relevant accomplishments as this will capture the attention of the hiring manager and show that you’re a good fit for the position.

If you’re applying for a sales job and have had a major sales related achievement, be sure to include it.

For example: “In my most recent position as head of sales, I was able to surpass my goal by 250%…”


Step # 3

This is where you put it all together.

Here is a sample of a short cover:


Short Cover Letter Example


Dear Sir/Madam


I am writing to express my interest in working for Xxxx as your Job Title, and have enclosed my resume and sales achievements for your consideration.  I am highly regarded as a personable, detail-oriented Sales Professional with experience providing exceptional customer service and a proven track record of generating revenue through prospecting, customer relationship management, marketing and selling strategies. Some highlights of my career that would help me to succeed as your xxx would be:


  • Created new business by generating leads through networking and creative marketing resulting in a XX% increase in new business.
  • Consistently achieved or exceeded all personal sales per hour ($119) and monthly goals while supporting the goals of the team, attaining 105% ($105 YTD) and selling $221K in 2017 alone.
  • Managed a staff of 12 during major sales events, including the Half-Yearly Sale and the holiday season, increasing volume by 5%.


I am certain that my team-focused, positive attitude and emphasis on client satisfaction would be a welcome addition to your organization.  My resume will provide additional details concerning my qualifications and accomplishments, and I would welcome the opportunity for an interview to discuss the performance you can expect from me.  Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.


As you can see – the cover letter is to the point, tailored and includes information that is relevant to the position. The candidate could easily tailor the bullet points in the cover letter to each position. They can also easily swap out the title and company name.

Closing Thoughts

Your cover letter shouldn’t be longer than 2/3 of a page. Writing a short cover letter that’s tailored to the position is a lot more effective than writing a long cover letter that no hiring manager will read.

You should also write your cover letter in a way where you can easily tailor it to different positions instead of writing a whole new one every time. The example above is how your cover letter should be structured so you can easily tailor it.

  • Introductory paragraph
  • A few bullet points (Achievement Focused)
  • Closing Paragraph

Good luck with your job search!


Leave a Reply
