How long is too long, how short is too short? :-(

Just wondering if anybody has any advice on the optimum length for a cover letter. I was told by a professor that an academic cover letter should be between 1-2 pages long. All advice I can find on other types of cover letters state that they should be no more than one page. I am just about to apply for a non academic job but in a third level institution so am confused how long the cover letter should be. Any advice greatly received.

I used to work in a corporate environment in the City and cover letters were no more than one side of A4. No one has time to read pages of letter and there's something about having to turn over the page that indicates to the reader that there's a lot of work ahead of them. The key was to say a few key things very succinctly and leave the rest to your CV. If you've piqued their interest they will invite you for a interview which is your cue to tell them about your achievements in greater detail. They'll be listening then.

I also worked in HE recruiting for academic and non-academic posts and there again it was much better for the non-ac cvs to be one page (usually because the app form was so comprehensive).

Cover letters for academic positions should be a bit longer because there is this view among some, not all, that if you can fit everything on one page you haven't done enough. Whereas in corporate situs it's seen as 'waffles and can't get to the point quickly'.

That's just my experience though so it will be interesting to see what others say.

I also meant to say that you can fit quite a lot on just one side of A4 too. It doesn't have to be just a single paragraph - unless like I say the app form is very comprehensive and you really would just be repeating what was in there in the letter. For the last HE non-ac position I applied for and got, I sent a cover letter that said 'I'm applying for position X please find enclosed my app form'. The app form was more of a booklet and so comprehensive that they didn't even want a CV. There was nothing else I could put in the cover letter that wasn't directly repeating info in the application form. If the form is less comprehensive then you have more leaway with the letter.

Thanks Milly Cat, that's brilliant. One of the professors at my uni (the one who frowns on less than two page cover letters) delighted and freaked us out by telling us that his CV was 32 pages long!!

I agree with the one page cover; just hope I can convince the panel that I'm worth interviewing. I don't have 100% of what they are looking for but I feel that my pre-academic life experience would be very useful for this job. Fingers crossed...

Thanks again, much appreciated :-)

hi sorry .. but i just saw this post and ive got a question related maybe u can help... I recently applied for an academic post.. the post closed on friday and on monday at 8 am they sent an email to my referrees :s .. i dont know if its a good thing or bad thing ... so quickly they asked my referres about me without having been given an interview... i soooo want this academic post but im afraid because 1) they reached out to my referres 2) im still following my phd (im 8months in) ... my cover letter was just 2 pages.. the last page with 3 referres ..

My immediate reaction is that it is probably a good thing. With the volume of applications for most positions referees are unlikely to be contacted unless the applicant is within shouting distance of being shortlisted.

Good luck, hope it works out for you (up)

======= Date Modified 23 Aug 2011 04:48:01 =======

In general, you shouldn’t let your cover letter exceed one page.

Keeping your cover letter short serves several purposes.

First, it shows that you know how to organize your thoughts in a clear and logical manner.

Second, it shows that you know how to present your ideas concisely.

Finally, it indicates that you respect the hiring manager’s time and understand that she has a lot of cover letters and resumes to read.

If you want to know more, you can refer at http://coverlettersamples.biz. I hope this helps you!

Thanks Helianthusdd, you make good points, thanks for spotting my question and your input :-)