Simple Cover Letter Examples & Writing Tips

A standard cover letter can be anywhere from around 250-400 words, so if you opt for a shorter version, staying under 250 words is a good starting point. 

Explore our guide on the ideal cover letter length for additional tips and examples from certified career experts.

A short and simple cover letter should include the same key information as a more detailed one, such as a professional cover letter header, contact information and a formal salutation. 

Write one body paragraph with your strongest, job-relevant skills and experience to save time and space. If you prefer, use bullet points to get your point across and keep your letter.

To stand out from the crowd, you can also showcase high-income skills that employers value, such as project management or sales. 

Include a brief closing paragraph with a clear call to action, avoiding unnecessary wordiness in this section. For additional guidance, take a look at what to include in a cover letter.

A simple cover letter should be formatted with the same formatting conventions as a lengthier one. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Use a simple, clean layout with a consistent font style and size. Avoid using excessive formatting, such as bold or underlined text, as it can be distracting. 
• Use a standard font, like Times New Roman, Arial or Calibri, at a 10-12 point size. For consistency, use the same font in your resume and cover letter. 
• Use standard margins (1 inch on all sides) to ensure that your cover letter looks neat and well-organized.
• Use bullet points to break up long paragraphs and make your cover letter easier to read. Use them to highlight your most relevant skills and experiences.
• Use white space to make your cover letter more visually appealing and easier to read. Avoid cramming too much text onto one page.

Remember to keep your cover letter concise and focused. Stick to the most relevant and compelling information, and avoid repeating what is already in your resume. Check out our cover letter best practices for more tips.

Make the most of your short cover letter by omitting unnecessary and irrelevant details. Here are a few examples of information you can leave out of your cover letter:  

• Redundant details from your resume: Avoid repeating your entire job history or listing your responsibilities verbatim from your resume. 
• Irrelevant work experience: Skip details about jobs or experiences that don’t directly relate to the position you’re applying for unless they demonstrate transferable skills. 
• Personal information: Leave out details such as age, marital status, religion or hobbies unless they are directly relevant to the job. 
• Salary expectations: Only include salary requirements if the job listing explicitly asks for it. Even then, if needed, it’s often better to include this in a separate document.
• Generic statements: Phrases like “I’m a hard worker” or “I’m the perfect fit” are overused and lack specificity. Instead, use measurable achievements and examples. 
• Unrelated skills: Focus on the skills that match the job description. For instance, a nursing cover letter doesn’t need to emphasize graphic design skills. 

A concise, relevant, professional cover letter introduces hiring managers to your professional background. You can discuss additional qualifications during your job interview.

Avoid a short cover letter in these scenarios: 

• If you’re applying for a position in academics, the communication industry or a career that requires a prolific writer, like a grant specialist or ghostwriter, among others. 
• If you’re in the midst of changing careers, an employer will notice your previous work experience in your resume. A cover letter will help you explain your interest in the new industry and what you could bring to the table. 
• Avoid using a cover letter of any length if the job application requests no cover letters.

See answers to the question, “Are cover letters necessary?” for additional guidance from career advice experts. 

You can use our Cover Letter Builder to make a basic cover letter in a matter of minutes. We also recommend using our Resume Builder to create a resume for your job application.

You can use a matching cover letter and resume template to ensure that your job application is cohesive and polished. 

We also recommend checking out our guide on how to use ChatGPT to write a cover letter for tips and precautions from career experts.