
99+ Key Skills for a CV: Lists of Examples for Every Job
Recruiters will trade great skills for a great job. All you need to know is what key skills to put on your CV and that job is yours.
How long should a cover letter be is one of life’s mysteries. Until you read this guide. Discover the best cover letter length, no matter what job you’re applying for.
Picture it, you’ve crafted the perfect cover letter for that job application. Your writing skills would put Jane Austen to shame. But—
If it’s too short, you’ve undersold yourself. Too long and time-poor recruiters won’t even read it.
All that hard work will end up in the bin next to the remains of the chicken and avocado wrap they just had for lunch.
But what if you could discover the Goldilocks zone with a cover letter length that’s just right?
Interested? Then let’s dive right in.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your CV. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample Cover Letter for a CV—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
And when you've finished looking at how long a cover letter should be, take a look at our other guides:
A cover letter should be between half a page and one page long. Divide the page into 3–4 short paragraphs and by word count, your covering letter should be 250–300 words, depending on your experience.
Bear in mind what a cover letter is for. It introduces you as a candidate and needs to grab the recruiter’s attention, showing them how the company will benefit from hiring you.
Also, consider that recruiters get 75 applications for every vacancy. They just don’t have the time to read more. So you need to strike a balancing act between cover letter length and making sure you’ve included enough information to ensure their interest is piqued. A survey carried out by Saddleback College revealed 70% of employers preferred a half-page cover letter or took “the shorter the better” approach.
Here are those numbers again for reference.
And here’s an example of a cover letter with the ideal page, paragraph and word count.
Your CV needs to be the right length too. Read more: How Long Should a CV Be? Best Page Length
Now for some tips on how to achieve that.
Think of your knowledge and experience as a big pot of tasty chicken soup. A good cover letter boils that down to a super-concentrated stock cube. Here’s how to do it.
How many words should a cover letter be? Typically, the cover letter word count is 250-300. Do yourself a favour and don’t count every word. Let your cover letter formatting do that for you.
Follow these cover letter layout rules.
With those settings, 250 words will fill roughly half a page. No need to count each and every one.
One exception to this rule. If the job advert clearly states a word limit then double-check that you’ve met it. Failing to follow instructions in a job application is a one-way road to rejection.
You’ll find it much easier to craft that nugget of job-winning brilliance if you stick to a clear structure. Here’s how.
Use that framework and you’ll have a cover letter that proves good things come in small packages.
When writing about your achievements stick to the PAR formula. Problem, Action, Result. Here’s an example.
Overhauled an underperforming sales team (Problem) by introducing new employee incentives, improving motivation (Action), resulting in a 30 percent increase in sales within one quarter. (Result)
With the right structure, you can pack everything into as small a space as possible.
Keep your cover letter length down by choosing your content carefully and target it to the job you’re applying for. Before you start writing, read the job advert mindfully and note the most important skills and duties for the role.
Then cherry-pick the achievements in your CV that’ll be most applicable and expand on those. With a little preparation, you’ll ensure you keep your cover letter relevant and concise
Now that you know how long a cover letter should be you can write it in our builder. Here’s a sample.
Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:
See more cover letter templates and start writing.
Get your cover letter format right too. Read more here: How to Format a Cover Letter [Examples & Step-by-Step Guide]
Here’s how long a cover letter should be:
And remember to use that space wisely. Show why you’re the best candidate for this company and this job.
Still struggling to slim down your cover letter? Got any tips to share? Any questions at all, give us a shout in the comments section. We’re happy to help.
The article "How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?" provides guidance on the ideal length of a cover letter when applying for a job. The author explains that a cover letter should be concise, typically one page or less, and should include an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion. The introduction should state the purpose of the letter and grab the employer's attention, while the body paragraphs should highlight the applicant's relevant skills and experiences. The author advises against repeating information from the resume and recommends customizing the cover letter for each job application. Finally, the conclusion should express gratitude and encourage the employer to consider the applicant for the position.
Recruiters will trade great skills for a great job. All you need to know is what key skills to put on your CV and that job is yours.
A CV layout may look complicated, but it doesn’t have to be. We’ll walk you through finding and designing the perfect CV layout for you.
Your CV needs to start off strong to succeed. The best way to begin is with a powerful personal statement. Here’s a simple formula to get it right.