How Long Should Your Cover Letter Be?
Should a Cover Letter Extend More than One Page?
Once you have perfected your resume, ensured there are no typographical errors and you know you have polished it until it shines, now comes the cover letter. Should you include one, and why or why not? How long should it be? What should it contain? Keep reading for answers to all these questions as well as a few tips to get you started on your CV cover letter.
The first thing to remember regarding your cover letter is you want it streamlined, to the point and no more than a single page. Anything longer than that, you run the risk of duplicating information that’s already included in your professional resume.
You don’t want it to be redundant; after all, if it’s an advertised position you’re applying for, you can be sure there are a stack of resumes the employer must work his way through. Three or four paragraphs will usually suffice for a cover letter.
Begin with an introduction paragraph that states the purpose:
- Please find enclosed a copy of my current CV for your consideration. I am interested in the current position you have available in your Accounting Department and believe I possess the skills and qualifications outlined in your job announcement.
After a brief introduction, begin your second paragraph that highlights your educational and career experience:
- I received a forensics accounting degree from the University of Florida in 2007 and since graduating, I accepted a position with my current employer. I have taken several continuing education courses in an effort to remain current with the various technological advances within my career specialty. These courses are provided in detail within my CV, along with the specific responsibilities that define my current position.
Your next paragraph should provide a bit of insight into your goals and should also serve as a brief introduction to the candidate behind the cover letter:
- Because I recognize the importance of certain trends within the accounting sector as a whole, I have remained current with what is sure to become the preferred accounting methods. Due to major changes in the sector as a whole, such as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the need for accountants to remain ahead of the curve and focused on ensuring businesses remain in compliance is absolutely crucial.
Once you have hit the high marks of what your CV encompasses, begin your final paragraph that might read, in part, like this:
- Again, I appreciate any consideration and look forward to hearing from you. If there is anything else I can provide, please feel free to contact me at your convenience.
Finally, close your CV cover letter with, “Sincerely”, your typed name and signature above that. Remember to double check sentence structure, spelling errors and proper punctuation. Don’t forget: your cover letter is your first introduction to a potential employer; and as such, it’s all about the first impression.
For more information view an assortment of brilliant resume samples provided by GrandResume.com
