Struggling With Your Job Application? Give Short Cover Letter Examples a Chance

Whether you’re at the beginning of your professional career or a seasoned veteran, you may find writing cover letters challenging. In your search for inspiration, you might begin looking for cover letter examples online. You soon notice that some cover letters take up a full page, while others contain no more than two paragraphs.

If you’re a concise person by nature, you will feel instantly drawn towards these short cover letter examples—they seem to convey all elements that the recruiter needs in a format that doesn’t look like it requires canceling dinner plans to go through.

While you have probably found a myriad of short cover letter examples on the internet, you’re not all that impressed by what you see. They all look acceptable, but you feel you need something that will make your application stand out and leave a lasting impression on the recruiter. 

The question is—how do you recognize such examples, and where can you find them?

This article will provide you with short cover letter examples you can customize for the next promising job vacancy. But first thing’s first—we will give you an insight into structuring and formatting a (short) cover letter and offer advice on how to make a cover letter stand out.

Back to Basics—What’s the Dealio With Cover Letters Anyway?

You are probably dog-tired of writing so many cover letters and are wondering if anyone even reads them. The answer is yes, and not only that—a whopping 26% of recruiters admit that they base their hiring decisions specifically on cover letters!

So, why is a cover letter necessary, and what exactly does it do for you? Cover letters are there to breathe a bit of life into your resume. They provide a much-needed context for the dry, clinical information your resume contains and give the recruiter an insight into who you are, both as a person and a professional.

You can use the cover letter to provide details of your expertise and qualifications for the role, as well as reasons why you would fit in with the company culture. A well-written cover letter is often all it takes to leave a great first impression on the recruiter and encourage them to schedule an interview with you. The trick is knowing what such a letter should look like.

Advantages of a Short Cover Letter—What’s Long Got To Do With It?

Source: SHVETS production

Cover letters generally shouldn’t be too long, to begin with—they’re supposed to fit on a single A4 page. Short cover letters are even shorter than that—they typically contain between 150 and 200 words—or two short paragraphs—and occupy two-thirds of a page.

A lot of entry-level candidates are under the impression that the longer the cover letter is, the better their chances at impressing a recruiter are. But that is typically not the case. Your cover letter does have to include details about your skills, experience, and education, but you don’t need (nor should) write a ten-page document to prove you are qualified for the job.

The point is to make your cover letter easy to skim through and, at the same time, provide the exact information that will intrigue the recruiter enough to give you a callback.

This is where a short cover letter should do the trick. Many recruiters are bound to appreciate you not wasting their time with a document that’s longer than the Bible. Here’s why writing a short cover letter is always a great choice:

• Recruiters receive hundreds of applications for each job vacancy and are sometimes on a tight deadline to fill the position—they may not read a long cover letter as attentively as you imagined or might even skip it entirely
• Short cover letters are practical, concise, and to the point—you’ll show only the key qualities that you want your application to reflect
• Concise cover letters enable the recruiters to figure out if you’re the right candidate for the job instantly—provided they’re written, structured, and formatted properly

Structure of a Short Cover Letter—In the End, Does It Even Matter?

Your first step towards finding a great cover letter example is knowing how to recognize one. You should pay attention to the structure when choosing a short cover letter example—all the components must be present to ensure a great first impression. 

The main parts of a cover letter are as follows:

1. Header
2. Formal greeting
3. Opening sentence
4. Main body
5. Closing sentence
6. Formal closing

A Formal Cover Letter Header

Any cover letter, whether short or long, needs to contain a header. The cover letter header should typically include the following information:

• Your:
  • Full name
  • Phone number
  • Email address
  • LinkedIn profile link (if applicable)
• Date
• Name, address, and contact information of the hiring company

You can also include your current job title and link to your professional website or social media profile (stick to Twitter on this one). Avoid adding a profile photo or personal details, such as your date of birth or Social Security number.

A Formal Greeting To Start Your Cover Letter With

Source: Sora Shimazaki

If you know the hiring manager’s name, you should address your cover letter to them. Some choose to go with the good, old, classic “Dear Mr./Ms. Smith” (make sure not to use Mrs., as it implies marital status), and others decide to address the hiring manager by their first name. If you find the latter option too risky, know that adding a bit of a personal touch works in today’s modern times and youthful, open-minded organizations.

In some situations, especially when you’re applying for multiple jobs, looking for a hiring manager’s name every time can become too complicated. Know that, in such cases, the last thing you need to do is obsess over it. Choose the next best alternative, such as:

• Dear Sir or Madam,
• To Whom It May Concern,
• Dear Hiring Manager,

Opening Sentence That Will Spark the Recruiter’s Interest

After the greeting, you need to write an opening sentence that grabs the reader’s attention immediately. You can make an outstanding first impression if you:

1. Introduce yourself
2. Express your interest in joining the company
3. State the exact job title and the hiring company’s name in your opening sentence

Main Body To Demonstrate Your Skills and Qualifications

Source: Anna Shvets

It doesn’t matter whether you are kickstarting your career or are an experienced professional—you need to sell yourself to the recruiter and show them why they should hire you. 

Still, in an attempt to do so, you might be tempted to add all the skills and experience you’ve acquired over the years. Avoid this common mistake—recruiters are not really interested in knowing about skills that don’t pertain to the position they need to fill. If you are a recent graduate without any prior experience, you can still make a good impression by emphasizing that you are a fast learner with good communication and interpersonal skills. You can also think of training, workshops, or seminars you took that can be relevant for the job.

In a short cover letter, you have the option of referring the recruiter to your resume for more details or using bullet points to list your qualifications. If you decide on the latter, make sure that all the skills you mention in your cover letter are present in your resume as well to prevent any confusion.

Memorable Cover Letter Ending

Your cover letter should end with a call to action. Thank the hiring manager for taking the time to consider your application and let them know that you are available to discuss the job position further if required.

Closing Paragraph To Say Adieu to the Recruiter

At the end of the cover letter, you need to add a formal closing phrase before your name and signature, such as:

• Sincerely,
• Best regards,
• Regards,
• Respectfully,

Avoid overly affectionate or informal phrases, like “take care,” “xoxo,” or “best wishes” since they give off an unprofessional vibe. Always follow the chosen phrase with a comma.

Tips To Shorten Your Cover Letter—How Do You Cut to the Chase?

While the structure of a cover letter should remain the same regardless of its length, writing a short cover letter requires a bit of adjustment. The trick in writing a short cover letter is learning how to convey the message in as few words as possible. Keep in mind, though, that the wording you choose has to be precise and effective. 

You should avoid wordy phrases and buzzwords—they will make your cover letter unnecessarily long, defeating the purpose. Take a look at some suitable alternatives for wordy phrases in the table below:

Some other tips that can help you trim your cover letter but still make it persuasive are:

• Use bullet-points to mention your key achievements and qualifications relevant for the role—they will help you keep things concise and to the point
• Provide URLs for more details—they are a convenient solution if the recruiter wants to find out more about some of your previous projects or jobs
• Avoid talking about yourself and what you stand to gain if the employer hires you—this could make you seem arrogant. Focus on how you will add value to the company instead
• Don’t be afraid to speak in numbers—they will help the recruiter visualize your achievements and make them appear more impactful
• Keep your contact information basic—one email address and cell phone number will suffice (but make sure to provide those you use most frequently)

Short Cover Letter Samples

Source: Monstera

Writing one short cover letter doesn’t mean your work is done—you must customize it according to the requirements of the job you’re applying for. If you send a generic cover letter, a recruiter will notice and instantly move on to another applicant.

You can check out the examples below and use them as the basis for your own short cover letter.

Short Cover Letter for a Job Vacancy as an Experienced Professional

Tabitha Brown

666-345-6732

[email protected]

February 2, 2022

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am Tabitha Brown, and I am interested in joining your company as an Editor because I believe my attention to detail and my editing and proofreading skills will be a great asset for [company name].

I have approximately 5 years of experience working as an Editor in different companies, as mentioned in my resume. I am also a team player who will work hard to achieve [company name] goals and objectives.

I believe that my strong academic and professional background makes me a great candidate for the job, which is the reason I chose to apply.

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Tabitha Brown

Short Cover Letter for a Job Vacancy as a Recent Graduate

Tabitha Brown

666-345-6732

[email protected]

February 2, 2022

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am Tabitha Brown, and I am interested in the position of Editor in your company. I have recently graduated from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh, and I believe that my keen attention to detail makes me a perfect fit for [company name].

My resume mentions my academic qualifications in detail and also lists down my experience as an intern during my time in college. I am a fast learner and a team player. I have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, which I believe can bring great value to your organization.

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I look forward to hearing from you.

Kind Regards,

Tabitha Brown

Short Cover Letter in a Different Format

Tabitha Brown

666-345-6732

[email protected]

February 2, 2022

Respected [Hiring Manager’s name],

My name is Tabitha Brown, and I am writing to apply for the position of Editor in your organization. Here are a few reasons why I believe I am the most suitable candidate for the role:

• Bachelor’s in English/Journalism from the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh
• 5+ years of experience as an Editor in different companies
• Excellent editing and proofreading skills
• Expertise with SEO and keyword research
• Strong knowledge of AP formatting style
• A keen eye for detail

Thank you for taking the time to review my application. I look forward to hearing from you. I have listed my contact information if you have any questions.

Kind Regards,

Tabitha Brown

Format Your Brief Cover Letter for Bots and Humans Alike

Source: Andrea Piacquadio

The structure is not the only important element of a cover letter—you also need to optimize the formatting for both an ATS and the human recruiter.

An applicant tracking system (ATS) is software used by most large corporations to screen candidates for a job opening. It works by scanning resumes and cover letters for specific keywords and shortlisting applicants that meet the criteria.

Your goal is for an ATS to forward your cover letter to a human recruiter. So, you need to customize your document to pass the ATS screening process and to be easy to read once it does pass.

How can you ensure that your formatting game is top-notch? By taking care of the following:

Simplify Your Job Hunt by Choosing Lensa

Source: Kartina Marti

Finding a job has never been a piece of cake, but the situation today looks grimmer than ever before. Studies show that over 4,200,000 individuals stay unemployed for a period of 6 to 7 months. To break the vicious unemployment cycle, a lot of job seekers have to send a significant number of applications and even switch to another industry, which can be stressful. Factor in the hassle of navigating through numerous ads on multiple job boards, and it is no wonder that job seekers are having such a hard time—regardless of how impeccable their cover letters are.

Don’t despair, though—you can make it a lot easier by signing up for Lensa.

Lensa is a platform that compiles various job ads from multiple employment websites in one place. Our app also helps job seekers to make informed career decisions by allowing them to learn more about their personality, work style, and professional strengths. 

Other advantages of registering for Lensa include:

• Access to the Workstyle Game, which evaluates your soft skills
• Email and SMS alerts for personalized job openings
• Opportunity to customize your profile and receive job ads tailored to your requirements
• Access to an algorithm that bases job recommendations on your salary, location, personality, and work style
• Assessment of your resume’s ATS-friendliness

Step-by-Step Instructions to Registering for Lensa

The process of registering for Lensa takes minutes. Once you visit our website, follow these steps:

1. Enter your desired job title and location
2. Click on the Search button
3. Provide your email address
4. Click on Submit

And you’re done! You can now work on building your profile or play the Workstyle Game. You can also take the following actions:

• Provide your cell phone number and get customized job recommendations straight to your phone
• Upload your resume to unlock the Company Reviews and Matching Companies features
• Add information about your education, expertise, and preferred salary range

After you complete these actions, Lensa will send you job suggestions tailored to your specific requirements. You will not only save a ton of time in the job search process but also find employment opportunities that will benefit your career in the long run.

Featured image: Marcus Aurelius