
Cover letter is another vital document you enclose along with your CV in case of applying to a job. It will help your employers to understand you better, your skill, and motive in applying the employment. However, the majority of jobseekers are not aware of the amount of wordings that a cover letter should include. Is 250 words too short or just right? So, in this blog we will answer this question by using simple terms and will also give you an idea as to how you can write an effective cover letter.
Cover letter is a brief-written letter which accompanies your job application. It must indicate what you are, what you can perform, and why you desire to work. The employer normally reads this first, and so it must impress him.
The cover letter should not repeat your CV. Rather than that, it is required to emphasize your key strengths and present how you are fit to hold the position. It is the opportunity you have to address the employer.
The length of your cover letter is very important. In case it is too long, the employer might fail to read the entire thing. When it is short, it might lack sufficient information that can be of use. This is why a question arises very often: is 250 words sufficient as a cover letter?
The answer depends on how you use those words. In case you are able to state your background, your motivation to be hired by the job and why you are a good candidate clearly, it might be perfectly adequate to use 250 words. The quantity of your written words is however not as important as the quality.
Indeed, 250 words is an appropriate length of a cover letter. It is short, clear, and to the point. Most hiring managers are not willing to waste their time reading lengthy letters. They are interested in a short introduction of your skills and the motivation of joining.
A 250-word cover letter fits well on one page. It not only provides you with room to self introduce, list your main assets and conclude with a final kicker. You can easily divide it into 3–4 short paragraphs.
In a brief first paragraph, there should be a short introductory sentence and the position you are making an application. Your key skills and confluence with the job should be discussed in the following one-two paragraphs. The last paragraph requests an interview or subsequent contact but in a polite manner.
There is nothing wrong with providing everything you need, even in a short cover letter:
A short and clear introduction
A line explaining why you want the job
Some words regarding your major competencies or accomplishments
A close like an interest to meet again in the future
Avoid repeating your full CV. Rather, you should choose 1-2 primary points which are most important to the job. Use simple language and strong action words. Do not make the sentences longer and add some unnecessary information that can not assist.
Because it is only 250 words, so in order to make every word count, do not be too general or formal. Write in a friendly and professional tone. Use active voice to sound more confident.
Here are some tips:
Use short sentences
Begin with powerful verbs such as, managed, led, created, or achieved
Avoid passive language
Do not repeat the same ideas
Focus on how you can help the company
When you are lost, you may also consult the experts. A cover letter writing services in dubai is able to help you write a well-structured, powerful cover letter which will suit your job objectives and which will also attract the attention of the employers.
The short and direct nature of your cover letter is something worth doing because of several reasons:
Reader-friendly: A hiring manager will be able to get what you are saying efficiently
Professional appearance: A brief cover letter makes a good fit on the first page
Saving time: You will not waste time writing and editing
Is value-oriented: You put only your best and most productive skills in it
Many employers prefer short cover letters. They read many applications every day. Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not make the following mistakes:
Over-descriptive: Do not describe each job that you worked in
Poor introduction: Good opening is an introduction as to why you are so excited about the position
Being disorganized: Employ well-organized paragraphs with a single point each
Vague terms: Do not use such terms as hard-working without evidence and examples
Lacking personal approach: use a person name in letter address
In case your letter is brief, it must nevertheless be personal, professional and targeted.
So, is 250 words good for a cover letter? Yes It is, A 250-word cover letter is often the perfect length. It is not too long that it would lose the interest of the reader, and not too short that you would not elaborate on your major arguments. The trick is to be clear, to select forceful words, and not to get distracted.