How Much Time Should a Cover Letter Take

Let’s say you’ve been applying for jobs for quite some time. You sent out a dozen applications, but never got a call for an interview. So you tell a friend about it, and they ask you.

Did you send a cover letter with your resume?

That’s when it clicks. You didn’t even know this was a thing. No wonder you weren’t getting any calls. The realization hits you harder than you expected. You start thinking about every place you’ve applied for. The anxiety starts settling in.

So, you decide to do something about it immediately. You get your laptop and open your Word file. But then, a hundred questions pop up in your mind, but the most important one is:

How long will this take?

Here’s the thing: strong cover letter writing doesn’t depend on time. It doesn’t have to take hours; what you need is the right strategy. If you feel lost, don’t worry. We all have been there; writing cover letters is no walk in the park. Here’s a breakdown to help you craft a winning one.

The Art of Writing Compelling Cover Letters

One thing they don’t tell you about application letters is that you don’t need hours or days to write a good one. It can even take 30 minutes if you know what you’re doing.

Why’s it important?

Think of this: you meet someone who’s hiring for a role you want. You hand them your CV without saying a word. No “Hi, here’s my resume” without any introduction. This is surely a cold exchange, and it won’t leave a good impression.

Ask any cover letter writing services for advice, and they’ll tell you that it’s like a little note you attach to your resume. It says, “Hey, you already have my resume in your hand, but let me introduce myself!” This gives off a warm impression, which encourages recruiters to consider you.

83% of recruiters read cover letters. Many prefer applications with cover letters over those that don’t.

How much is too much?

The length of the letter shouldn’t be too long. Half a page or a whole page is fine, but don’t go beyond that. The shorter it is, the better. Hiring managers don’t have the time to sit and read through long documents.

Don’t bore them. Keep it short, but don’t miss out on any important information. Here are some factors to keep in mind:

Looks matter

Your cover letter writing is going to speak on your behalf in your absence. It needs to look impressive so recruiters will want to read it. Pay special attention to the formatting.

Keep the margins standard
Pick a readable, professional font
Use font size 11 or 12

Job description

Before you begin writing, read the position’s description carefully. Look for key terms, and use them in the letter. One thing hiring managers love to see is attention to detail. If your document has relevant words from the job post, they’ll definitely consider you

Contact a cover letter writing service UK if you feel stuck. They will help you craft the perfect application.

What to say

Once you’ve carefully read the job description and chosen the right format, start writing. Here are the main things you need to include in the document:

Introduction	Talk about: The role you want How does it align with your professional aims
Brief background	Small description of who you are Keep it to a maximum of three sentences long
Achievement	Highlight any relevant milestones you’ve achieved in the past *Pro tip:* Quantify them if you can
Why do you want the role	Show your interest in the job Explain why you want it
The value you bring	Go into details about how your skills and expertise will benefit the employer

80% of employers say well-written and formatted cover letters increase the chances of hiring.

How to find you

This goes without saying, but your application letter needs to have your contact information. How will you get reached out without it? The header should have all the important details about you.

Add your:

Email address

Use a professional one, not the one you made with a silly name as a teenager.

Phone number

Provide an active number so you’re easily reachable. Recruiters don’t have the time to call again and again in the hope you’ll pick up.

Location

Include your city and state, nothing more than that. Nobody wants to know your exact home address. Any cover letter professional writing service would advise against providing this kind of information.

For More Information, Visit: CV Masters

Final Thought

Cover letter writing is difficult, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. But it’s not impossible. You don’t have to spend hours in front of your laptop screen trying to write one. All you need is the right direction, the right strategies.

Hopefully, by now you know exactly what you need to do. So if your Word document has been staring at you for quite some time, now’s your time to get to work. Choose the right template and format, and make each word count!