The Power of Brevity
Hiring managers are busy. They’re reviewing dozens—sometimes hundreds—of applications. A concise, powerful cover letter often makes a stronger impression than a lengthy one that buries your qualifications in unnecessary prose.
Short cover letters work because they:
- Respect the reader’s time
- Force you to focus on what matters most
- Get to the point quickly
- Are more likely to be read completely
- Demonstrate strong communication skills
This guide provides short cover letter examples across different industries and situations, along with guidance on making brevity work for you.
What Makes a Short Cover Letter Effective
Before the examples, understand what short cover letters must accomplish.
Essential Elements
Even brief letters need these components:
Opening: Hook that identifies the position and captures interest Value proposition: Your key qualification match Evidence: Specific achievement or credential Enthusiasm: Why you want this specific opportunity Call to action: Clear next step
Optimal Length
Target word count: 150-250 words (excluding address and sign-off) Paragraph count: 3-4 short paragraphs Reading time: Under 60 seconds
When Short Works Best
Brief cover letters are particularly effective for:
- Fast-paced industries
- Online applications with character limits
- Follow-ups to networking connections
- Applications where resume is primary focus
- Roles where concise communication is valued
Example 1: Marketing Professional
Position: Digital Marketing Manager Word count: 185 words
Dear Ms. Rodriguez,
The Digital Marketing Manager position at Elevate Brands immediately caught my attention. Your focus on data-driven marketing for sustainable consumer products aligns perfectly with my career passion and expertise.
In my current role at GreenChoice Marketing, I’ve achieved results that directly relate to what you’re seeking:
- Increased organic traffic by 145% through SEO and content strategy
- Managed $300K annual ad budget with 340% average ROAS
- Built and led a team of four content specialists
Beyond the metrics, I bring genuine enthusiasm for sustainable products. I’ve followed Elevate’s growth since your Series A and admire how you’ve maintained mission focus while scaling.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience scaling digital marketing programs can support Elevate’s continued growth. Thank you for considering my application.
Best regards, Jennifer Chen
Why it works:
- Immediately relevant hook
- Quantified achievements
- Personal connection to company mission
- Clear and confident close
Example 2: Software Engineer
Position: Senior Backend Developer Word count: 165 words
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m excited to apply for the Senior Backend Developer position at DataFlow Systems. Your challenge of processing 10M+ daily events with sub-second latency is exactly the kind of problem I’ve spent my career solving.
At my current company, I:
- Architected a distributed event processing system handling 15M daily transactions
- Reduced API response times by 60% through optimization and caching strategies
- Mentored three junior developers who are now mid-level contributors
I’m particularly drawn to DataFlow’s commitment to open-source contributions—I’ve been a contributor to Apache Kafka and maintain two widely-used Python libraries.
I’d love to discuss how my experience with high-throughput systems can contribute to DataFlow’s infrastructure. My GitHub profile and code samples are available at github.com/jsmith.
Best regards, James Smith
Why it works:
- Technical relevance immediately clear
- Specific, impressive metrics
- Demonstrates cultural fit (open source)
- Points to additional evidence
Example 3: Entry-Level Candidate
Position: Marketing Coordinator Word count: 170 words
Dear Mr. Thompson,
As a recent graduate from State University with a marketing degree and two internship experiences, I’m excited to apply for the Marketing Coordinator position at Bright Agency.
During my internship at Metro Marketing, I:
- Managed social media accounts growing engagement by 85%
- Coordinated logistics for three client events
- Created content that generated 15K+ impressions
What draws me to Bright Agency specifically is your work with nonprofit clients. My senior thesis on nonprofit digital marketing strategies gave me deep insight into the unique challenges these organizations face—and how creative marketing can amplify their impact.
I’m eager to bring my fresh perspective, strong work ethic, and genuine passion for meaningful marketing to your team. I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss how I can contribute to Bright Agency.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely, Amanda Torres
Why it works:
- Acknowledges experience level without apologizing
- Specific internship achievements
- Connects personal interest to company focus
- Professional and confident tone
Example 4: Career Changer
Position: Project Manager (from Teaching) Word count: 195 words
Dear Ms. Park,
Transitioning from education to project management might seem unexpected, but the skills that made me a successful department chair translate directly to managing complex projects. I’m excited to apply for the Project Manager position at BuildRight Construction.
In my educational leadership role, I:
- Coordinated curriculum development across 12 teachers and 400+ students
- Managed $150K annual department budget
- Led technology integration project completed on time and under budget
- Facilitated stakeholder communication between administration, teachers, and parents
I’ve supplemented my experience with PMP certification (earned June 2024) and have been actively learning construction project management through industry courses.
What attracts me to BuildRight is your reputation for developing talent. I’m looking for an organization that values the planning, communication, and stakeholder management skills I bring, while allowing me to grow my technical construction knowledge.
I would welcome the chance to discuss how my leadership and organizational skills can contribute to your project teams.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards, Michael Foster
Why it works:
- Addresses the transition directly
- Translates experience convincingly
- Shows proactive skill building
- Expresses genuine interest in company culture
Example 5: Executive Level
Position: VP of Operations Word count: 175 words
Dear Board Search Committee,
When I learned that Horizon Health was seeking a VP of Operations to lead the expansion into three new markets, I recognized an opportunity aligned with my expertise in healthcare operations scaling.
My track record includes:
- Leading operations for a $200M regional health system
- Opening four new facilities on schedule and budget over five years
- Reducing operational costs by 18% while improving patient satisfaction scores
I understand Horizon’s commitment to accessible healthcare in underserved communities—it’s a mission I’ve prioritized throughout my career. My experience launching community health initiatives can directly support your expansion goals.
I would welcome a confidential conversation about how my experience can support Horizon’s ambitious growth plans.
Respectfully, Dr. Patricia Williams
Why it works:
- Senior appropriate tone
- Impressive, relevant metrics
- Mission alignment expressed
- Appropriate level of confidence
Example 6: Referral-Based Application
Position: Account Manager Word count: 155 words
Dear Ms. Chen,
Sarah Johnson suggested I reach out about the Account Manager position at Premier Solutions. After hearing about your team’s client-first approach, I’m excited to apply.
My background in client relationship management includes:
- Managing a portfolio of 35 accounts totaling $2.5M annual revenue
- Achieving 94% client retention rate (company average: 82%)
- Growing existing accounts by 40% through strategic upselling
Sarah mentioned Premier is expanding the enterprise segment—my experience transitioning mid-market clients to enterprise solutions would support this growth directly.
I’d love to discuss how my account management approach aligns with Premier’s client success philosophy. I’m available for a conversation at your convenience.
Thank you for your time.
Best regards, David Park
Why it works:
- Leverages referral immediately
- Specific, compelling metrics
- Connects to known company initiative
- Confident without being pushy
Example 7: Remote Position
Position: Customer Success Manager (Remote) Word count: 165 words
Dear Hiring Team,
I’m writing to express my strong interest in the remote Customer Success Manager position at CloudServe Solutions. As someone who has successfully managed customer relationships remotely for three years, I understand both the opportunities and challenges of distributed customer success.
My remote experience includes:
- Managing 50+ SaaS customer accounts across four time zones
- Maintaining 95% customer satisfaction rating
- Reducing churn by 25% through proactive engagement strategies
- Building relationships entirely through video, phone, and digital communication
I’ve invested in creating effective remote work practices—from my dedicated home office setup to my communication systems that ensure no customer feels distant.
CloudServe’s rapid growth makes customer success critical. I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss how my remote-native approach can support your customers’ success.
Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards, Rachel Kim
Why it works:
- Addresses remote work specifically
- Demonstrates remote success track record
- Shows practical understanding of remote challenges
- Clear value proposition
Example 8: Internal Transfer
Position: Marketing to Product Management Word count: 150 words
Dear Jordan,
I’m excited to formally apply for the Product Manager position in the Consumer Apps division. My three years in our marketing team have given me deep customer insight that I’m eager to apply to product development.
My relevant contributions at the company include:
- Leading customer research that directly informed product roadmap decisions
- Collaborating with product teams on three major feature launches
- Achieving highest NPS scores for campaigns targeting our core user segment
I’ve also completed our internal PM certification and Google’s Product Management course to prepare for this transition.
I would love to discuss how my marketing customer expertise and product training can benefit the Consumer Apps team. I’m committed to the company’s success and see this as the next step in my growth here.
Thanks for considering my application.
Best, Chris Martinez
Why it works:
- Leverages internal knowledge appropriately
- Shows proactive preparation
- Expresses commitment to company
- Right tone for internal application
Tips for Writing Short Cover Letters
Apply these principles to your own letters.
Start Strong
Your opening sentence matters most:
Weak: “I am writing to apply for the position posted on your website.”
Strong: “Your data engineering team’s work on real-time analytics is exactly where I want to contribute next.”
Hook immediately with relevance or interest.
Cut Ruthlessly
Review every sentence and ask: Does this earn its place?
Remove:
- Obvious statements (“I am a hard worker”)
- Redundant information (what’s on your resume)
- Generic enthusiasm (“I love your company”)
- Excessive qualifications (save some for interview)
Keep:
- Specific achievements with metrics
- Direct connections to job requirements
- Authentic reasons for interest
- Clear asks or next steps
Use Bullets Strategically
Bullets increase scannability in short letters:
When to use:
- Listing three or more achievements
- Highlighting key qualifications
- Showing clear requirement matches
Format:
- Two to four bullets maximum
- Start each with strong action verb
- Keep each bullet to one line if possible
End with Confidence
Your closing should be clear and forward-looking:
Weak: “I hope to hear from you soon and would appreciate the opportunity to interview.”
Strong: “I’d welcome the chance to discuss how my experience can support your team’s goals.”
Building a strong online presence supports your applications. Consider creating a portfolio on 0portfolio.com that you can reference in cover letters, giving hiring managers additional context beyond your brief letter.
Short Cover Letter Template
Use this structure as a starting point:
Opening (2-3 sentences): [Specific position] at [Company] immediately caught my attention because [specific reason related to role or company]. [One sentence establishing your relevant qualification or interest.]
Value/Evidence (3-4 bullets or sentences): My experience directly relates to what you’re seeking:
- [Achievement with metric]
- [Achievement with metric]
- [Relevant skill or credential]
Connection (1-2 sentences): [Specific reason you’re drawn to this company/role]. [How your experience connects to their needs.]
Close (1-2 sentences): I would welcome the opportunity to discuss [specific contribution you can make]. Thank you for your consideration.
Best regards, [Name]
Target: 150-200 words
Common Short Cover Letter Mistakes
Avoid these errors that undermine brevity.
Being Too Brief
The problem: So short it lacks substance
Example of too short: “I want the marketing job. I have five years of experience. Please review my resume.”
The fix: Brief means efficient, not absent. Include evidence and specifics.
Generic Content
The problem: Could apply to any company
The fix: Even short letters need specific company references and tailored content.
Missing Key Information
The problem: Omitting essential elements to save space
The fix: Ensure position, qualifications, and contact info are clear.
Awkward Compression
The problem: Cramming too much into run-on sentences
The fix: Better to cut content than make remaining content unreadable.
Lacking Personality
The problem: So focused on brevity that voice disappears
The fix: Short doesn’t mean cold. Let some personality show through.
When to Write Longer
Sometimes short isn’t appropriate:
Consider longer letters for:
- Senior executive positions
- Academic positions requiring research statements
- Complex career transitions needing explanation
- Positions specifically requesting detailed letters
- Situations where more context adds significant value
The test: Does additional content genuinely strengthen your application, or just fill space?
Your Short Cover Letter Checklist
Before sending:
- Under 250 words
- Specific position mentioned
- At least one quantified achievement
- Company-specific content included
- Clear expression of interest
- Professional close with call to action
- Error-free and professionally formatted
- Would you want to read this if you were hiring?
The Bottom Line
Short cover letters succeed by respecting readers’ time while still making a compelling case. They require discipline—every word must earn its place.
The examples in this guide demonstrate that brevity and impact aren’t opposites. You can capture attention, demonstrate value, and express genuine interest in under 200 words.
Your challenge: Can you make your case in half the words you’d normally use? If so, you’ll have written a cover letter that busy hiring managers will actually read—and remember.
Start with your strongest qualification. End with clear confidence. Make every word count.
