In today’s fast-paced job market, cover letters don’t need to be long to stand out. It can even help your most prominent skills shine when there aren’t too many details that take away from your main points.
Just like using resume builders, resume templates, and resume examples during the application process, short cover letter examples are practical tools to help you maintain the proper structure while customizing details for your needs.
To help you out, we’ve compiled some top-notch short cover letter samples for different points in your career and tailored to specific industries. Plus, we’ll detail the exact structure and information you need to make yours stand out.
Crafting Your Short Cover Letter
While crafting your short cover letter, you want to ensure it complements your resume, is tailored to each job, and only includes the most essential information to show why you’re the best fit.
For example, someone applying for a marketing role at a social media-focused agency may want to emphasize skills in social media analytics and short-form content design.
Let’s review the details you need for short and simple cover letters and what you should omit.
Understanding the essentials
Good short cover letters should include the following details:
- Your contact information: When you wow the hiring manager with your cover letter, you want to ensure it’s clear how they can get in touch with you. Always list your contact information toward the top of your short cover letter for clarity and a professional layout.
- A brief greeting and introduction: As you begin your cover letter draft, greet the hiring manager by name. You’ll usually find a contact person’s name in the job description or on the company’s website. Then, start with a brief introduction paragraph that touches on your connection to the company’s mission and interest in the role.
- Body paragraphs tailored to relevant experience: In the body of your cover letter, focus on some prominent abilities and experiences that show you’re an ideal fit for the role. Detailing specific metrics, like how you increased sales or used industry-specific software to boost efficiency, will help show your impact here.
- A strong closing statement: Ensure you close out each cover letter by thanking the hiring manager for their time and restating your connection with the company and enthusiasm for the role.
What to include and what to omit
Now that you know the basic structure and essentials for short cover letters, here are some guidelines on what you should include and omit throughout.
Your most relevant skills
In each cover letter, make sure you pick skills relevant to the company’s needs. It’s ideal to identify two or three skills emphasized in the job description and focus on those.
As you grow in your career, you’ll want to omit skills and experiences that are no longer relevant.
For example, experience as a data entry clerk may be great to show transferable abilities as an entry-level accountant, but a few years down the line, you’ll want to replace that with more relevant skills in Quickbooks and managing accounts payable to show your most up-to-date skill set.
The impact of your education
Detailing your education is an excellent way to present industry-specific knowledge and skills.
When applying to entry-level roles, you may want to focus more on educational achievements and projects that demonstrate your abilities since you don’t have much real work experience in your field.
However, as you gain a more advanced skill set, you’ll want to omit many of those details in favor of experience that shows how you’ve shined in the workplace.
Supporting details for your claims
When you write about skills or achievements you’ve had, ensure you provide supporting details that back them up. That could include key metrics or the process you took to achieve something.
For instance, if you’re an auto mechanic and state your expertise in engine repair, you’d want to detail things like how you use computerized diagnostic systems for 54% more efficient and effective engine troubleshooting.
You should omit any skills or experiences from short cover letters where you can’t find clear supporting evidence to back them up to ensure what you include is the strongest representation of your abilities.
Writing Tips for Short Cover Letters
Now that you know the details you need for your short cover letter, let’s review some tips and best practices that will help you polish it up and make an impactful first impression on hiring managers.
Start strong: the opening line
The opening line is crucial for short cover letters since its tone and content can make or break whether the hiring manager continues reading.
Some tips for a strong opening line to a cover letter are:
- Tailor your tone to match what the company used in the job description. It’ll show how you fit the company’s culture.
- Touch on your connection to the company’s mission.
- Show enthusiasm for the role.
- Ensure it’s highly specific to the details of each company you apply to.
To give you an idea of how you can do this effectively, let’s say you’re applying for a customer service role at an internet and cable TV provider. Their mission is to provide fast, reliable, and customer-centric service so customers never feel disconnected. You could begin your cover letter by saying:
- “I’ve been a customer with FiberNet Communications for three years. I’ve admired your commitment to reliable service, which made me eager to apply when I saw your customer service job opening.”
This opening line works well since it shows an immediate connection to the company, knowledge of their mission for reliable service, and your enthusiasm for the role.
Powerful closing statements
A powerful closing statement that leaves a lasting impact is just as important as starting with a strong opening line.
An excellent way to close out short cover letters is to restate a couple of key skills you bring to the table and your connection and enthusiasm about working with the company. For example, while applying to a nutrition coaching role, you could say, “Driven by a people-first approach to diet planning and client motivation, I believe I’d be an ideal fit to assist in your mission of helping others live happier and healthier lives.”
You should also end on a light call to action to show continued interest in learning more about the role. Aim for something like, “I’m excited to discuss in more detail how I can contribute as a nutrition coach at Advanced Fitness Solutions.”
Using a cover letter generator
When you’re just getting started writing short cover letters, it can feel confusing trying to structure everything into a brief and impactful overview of your abilities. Cover letter generators can help streamline and speed up the process.
Our cover letter generator at BeamJobs ensures all the critical elements are presented and communicated concisely to optimize for fast-paced hiring environments.
Using our generator will give you an excellent structure to build upon when writing a cover letter. Once you have that template, fine-tune it with your personal details, skills relevant to each company, and connection to their mission so you stand out for each role you apply to.
Short Cover Letter Examples by Career Level
How you display your abilities in a short cover letter will vary slightly at different points in your career. For example, you may want to focus on education and non-traditional work experience in entry-level roles, emphasize transferable skills when changing fields, or address gaps in your resume after returning to work after a break.
Here are some sample short cover letters for use at various stages in your career path. These will give you an idea of how to structure yours as you grow in your career.
While these samples skip specific templates to focus purely on content, you can visit the BeamJobs Cover Letter Examples page for more structured examples with templates, or use the BeamJobs AI Cover Letter Generator to craft and template your cover letter effectively.
High School Students or No Experience Short Cover Letter Example
Kyle Yazbek
1542 Willow Ave.
Denver, CO 80202
720-912-3456
[email protected]
5/12/24
Zach Keyser
Kroger
2910 Maple Dr.
Denver, CO 80202
Dear Mr. Keyser,
Having been a member of my school’s football team for the last three years, I’m driven by a team-first mentality that I believe will make me an excellent fit on the Kroger grocery staff.
This past year, I was named the football team captain and worked to improve communication as a leader to reduce errors on the field by 40%.
I also have a commitment to learning and have managed my study time to maintain a 3.7 GPA.
My abilities to learn, manage schedules, and communicate in team environments will help me create an outstanding shopping experience as a Kroger grocery clerk. I look forward to discussing the position with you further.
Thank you,
Kyle Yazbek
Entry-Level Positions Short Cover Letter Example
David Lindstrom
2894 Oak Ln.
Orono, ME 04469
404-564-9988
[email protected]
5/11/24
Samantha Kingston
KemberRose
230 Pine St.
Orono, ME 04469
Dear Ms. Kingston,
During my studies at the University of Maine, I learned how essential accurate tax reporting is. That’s why I’m excited about your tax accounting internship at KemberRose. It’s an excellent opportunity to learn and grow with an organization focused on honesty and integrity in financial reporting.
In a project during my tax accounting class, I reviewed and reported on income statements and financial data with 98% accuracy.
My three years with the University of Maine’s Future Business Leaders of America organization have also taught me a lot about the ins and outs of business operations for better financial reporting.
I’m eager to continue growing my tax reporting accuracy and knowledge at an integrity-driven organization like KemberRose. Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
David Lindstrom
Mid-Career Professional Short Cover Letter Example
Beth Johnson
672 Pine Rd.
Lansing, MI 48917
407-998-8765
[email protected]
5/07/24
Chris Melentiev
Michigan Association of School Boards
178 Liberty St.
Lansing, MI 48917
Dear Mr. Melentiev,
Driven by a passion for secure and accurate visual data reporting, I’m excited to apply for your data systems analyst role at the Michigan Association of School Boards.
During my time at SunPlus Data Systems, I’ve significantly grown my skills in data systems. I used Microsoft Power BI to craft visual displays that led to 55% more efficient decision-making companywide.
Data security is also an essential aspect of every project I work on. At the Lincoln Financial Group, I applied Oracle Security Safe to containerized data to reduce external threats by 66%.
I’m eager to apply my data visualization and analysis skills to help you make more efficient and effective educational policy decisions at the Michigan Association of School Boards. Thank you for considering me for your data systems analyst role, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Beth Johnson
Career Change Short Cover Letter Example
Lydia Jacobson
840 Elm St.
Austin, TX 78712
512-456-2342
[email protected]
5/09/24
Jessica Carter
University of Texas
4621 Broadway St.
Austin, TX 78712
Dear Ms. Carter,
With a passion for learning and helping others, I’m excited about the role of associate marketing professor at the University of Texas to help develop the next generation of business leaders.
While working as the digital marketing team lead at Heartland Business Systems, I developed a passion for helping others on our team grow their promotional skills. By providing coaching and tips, I increased conversion rates by 59%. Seeing the impact I made instructing others is why I want to transition into a teaching role.
With ten years of experience in the marketing industry, I’m confident I can help students at Texas University develop real-world skills in positioning strategies and sales techniques.
Thank you for your consideration, and I’m excited to discuss the associate marketing professor role with you further.
Sincerely,
Lydia Jacobson
Returning to Work Short Cover Letter Example
Matt Frazier
3192 Birch Pl.
Seattle, WA 98101
206-543-9876
[email protected]
5/10/24
Kevin Landers
Campbell Union Elementary School
829 Market St.
Seattle, WA 98101
Dear Mr. Landers,
The gym teacher job opening at Campbell Union Elementary School grabbed my attention because I’m a big believer in your mission of early-age health promotion.
After taking a break from teaching to care for my son after he was born, I’m eager and ready to return to the workforce.
During my break, I’ve continued teaching as a volunteer youth health instructor at the YMCA, where I implemented instruction that helped boost kids’ daily activity by 38%.
Plus, with my eight years of prior experience, I’m confident in my abilities to plan lessons and engage in active listening while instructing students.
Thank you for considering me for the gym teacher role at Cambell Union Elementary School. I’m excited to discuss in more detail how I can contribute to your early-age health promotion efforts.
Sincerely,
Matt Frazier
General Short Cover Letter Example
Anders Benedict
2337 Cedar Blvd.
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-234-5678
[email protected]
5/13/24
Natalie Benson
Bear Real Estate Group
1010 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
Dear Ms. Benson,
I’m eager to apply for your account manager role with the Bear Real Estate Group to help achieve your mission of providing more accessible housing solutions.
At L&P Real Estate, I managed a portfolio of accounts and developed an informational strategy to help realtors identify the ideal properties for clients 65% more efficiently.
My bachelor’s degree in business administration has also equipped me with financial management knowledge, allowing me to make more effective and accurate decisions on the job.
Thank you for considering me for the account manager role at Bear Real Estate Group. I’m excited to discuss further how I can contribute to your solution-focused team.
Sincerely,
Anders Benedict
Real-World Examples of Successful Short Cover Letters
How you present skills in a short cover letter also varies by industry. Let’s look at some real-world short cover letter examples tailored to the needs of major fields to show how you can customize yours accordingly.
As with the examples by career level, these industry-specific samples focus on content without templates. For more detailed examples with templates, visit the BeamJobs Cover Letter Examples page or utilize the BeamJobs AI Cover Letter Generator to seamlessly create an attractive cover letter.
Tech Job Short Cover Letter Example
Randy Hendrickson
1456 Maple Ct.
Chicago, IL 60601
312-654-3210
[email protected]
5/08/24
Marko Gutierrez
MindPal
200 Wacker Dr.
Chicago, IL 60601
Dear Mr. Gutierrez,
I’m impressed with what your team at MindPal has achieved, creating AI tools that make HR management more efficient. I’d be excited to use my Javascript skills as your next Node.js developer to help you continue innovating HR management technology.
In my previous role at CCI Systems, I used Node.js to scale Javascript code for machine learning software to increase user accessibility by 75%.
I’ve also utilized MongoDB to make data management 58% more efficient in my role at Chelsoft Solutions.
With my experience in Node.js and passion for your mission to innovate HR technology, I’m confident I’ll fit in well with your team at MindPal. Thank you for your consideration, and I hope to discuss further how I can make an impact as your next Node.js developer.
Sincerely,
Randy Hendrickson
Healthcare Position Short Cover Letter Example
Jessica Alexander
2001 Spruce Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
215-987-6543
[email protected]
5/11/24
Olivia Peterson
Connected Healthcare
333 Market St.
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Dear Ms. Peterson,
I’m impressed by your commitment to compassionate service at Connected Healthcare, which is why I wanted to apply to your ER nurse role.
At Aurora Healthcare, I applied basic life support principles in emergency and trauma response situations to treat patient needs 55% more effectively.
I’m also skilled in patient care, providing friendly and helpful service to every patient I work with. As a CNA at the Woodland Nursing Home, I helped maintain a patient satisfaction rate of 98%.
Motivated by your mission of compassionate and effective treatment at Connected Healthcare, I’d be excited to join your ER nursing team. Thank you, and I’m eager to discuss the role with you in more detail.
Sincerely,
Jessica Alexander
Creative Industry Job Short Cover Letter Example
Martin Richardson
3118 Walnut St.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
213-321-9876
[email protected]
5/12/24
Daniel Kendricks
Humana
400 Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Dear Mr. Kendricks,
I deeply appreciate what you’re doing at Humana, trying to make the insurance selection process easier for your customers. Having been a website copywriter in the healthcare industry for the last six years, I’d be excited to help you bring your brand to life and provide effective content that makes insurance information easier to understand.
In my previous role at the Greenville Recovery Center, I worked on copy for a step-by-step sales funnel that made selecting the right treatment package easier for prospective clients. It boosted conversion rates by 78%.
I also applied on-page SEO best practices to landing pages I wrote for the Houston Health Center to boost traffic by 49%.
With my experience writing evidence-based health content and passion for increasing insurance accessibility, I’m excited to discuss this opportunity further.
Sincerely,
Martin Richardson
Customer Service Role Short Cover Letter Example
Natasha Tyson
4809 Cherry Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-555-1234
[email protected]
5/09/24
Elizabeth Smith
Graybar Electric Company
312 Sunset Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
Dear Ms. Smith,
During my job search, Graybar Electric Company stood out because of its commitment to the safe and efficient shipping of electrical products. As your next customer service representative, I’d be excited to do my part to help you achieve your mission and provide effective client service.
In my last job at Kohler Manufacturing, I used my skills in email systems management to monitor service requests and send an initial response in one hour or less during normal business hours.
I’m also proficient in Zendesk. When I worked at Verizon Wireless, I was part of a team that helped deploy it to make service management 59% more efficient.
With my commitment to excellent service and passion for the mission of safe and efficient shipping you’re taking on at Graybar Electric, I’m eager to discuss this position with you further.
Thank you,
Natasha Tyson
Management Position Short Cover Letter Example
Alex Thompson
6572 Rose Ave.
Miami, FL 33101
305-776-9874
[email protected]
5/08/24
Jane Mayville
MyKind Organics
840 Ocean Dr.
Miami, FL 33101
Dear Ms. Mayville,
As someone who’s passionate about natural products, trying to eat clean, and taking supplements to improve my health, I have an immense appreciation for the supplements you develop at MyKind Organics. I’d be excited to keep your company thriving as your next finance department manager.
In my previous role at Nestle, I performed extensive expense analysis in manufacturing processes to help reduce costs by 23%.
I also strive to be an effective leader. At Grand Appliance, I managed and delegated tasks to an eight-person team while preparing to submit tax reports. We ended up finishing the project five days ahead of schedule.
With my passion for the natural products you’re producing at MyKind Organics, coupled with my financial analysis and leadership skills, I’m confident I’m the right fit for your finance department manager role. I’m excited to discuss this opportunity in more detail.
Thank you,
Alex Thompson
Sales & Marketing Position Short Cover Letter Example
Ronda Erickson
2910 Sycamore Rd.
New York, NY 10001
212-987-6543
[email protected]
5/13/24
Carl Alexander
Webfitters
775 Broadway St.
New York, NY 10001
Dear Mr. Alexander,
After coming across your digital marketing strategist position at Webfitters, I was impressed by the innovative solutions you’ve provided to solve business problems. I’m excited about the opportunity to join your forward-thinking marketing team.
When I worked at the Westside Gardens, I harnessed user-generated content strategies on social media, which increased engagement rates by 55% and repeat visits to the gardens by 34%.
During my time at Durham’s Clothing, I also used HubSpot to analyze data and identify five sticking points in the online shopping experience, boosting conversions by 45%.
I’m confident with my problem-solving abilities and passion for your innovative approach, I’ll fit in well as a digital marketing strategist with Webfitters. Thank you, and I look forward to discussing the opportunity further with you.
Sincerely,
Ronda Erickson
Short Cover Letter FAQs
A short cover letter should be between 100 and 150 words. You want to keep it concise to avoid losing the hiring manager’s attention during quick initial reviews. Try to focus on two or three top skills, a couple of examples of relevant achievements, and your connection to the company’s mission.
While you want to remain concise, a short cover letter can be too short. If it’s under 80 words, you’ll probably want to add more details to show you’re the ideal fit for the role. If you’re struggling, consider adding transferable skills or how your education has equipped you for the role.
The best way to personalize your short cover letter is to connect with the company’s mission and show relevant skills that fit their needs. For example, while applying to be a sales rep at an ecologically friendly company, you could mention how you’re eager to use your lead generation skills to help promote greener business solutions.
The best way to highlight your strengths will be by providing brief examples of achievements from your career. For example, if you’re a forklift driver and wanted to highlight OSHA safety knowledge, you could detail how you used OSHA practices during a companywide effort that reduced accidents by 43%.
There are industries and positions where a longer cover letter may be a better fit. Highly technical industries like software development or engineering may be better suited to longer cover letters to detail enough abilities that show you’re the ideal fit. The same applies to positions with many responsibilities, such as project managers.
The ideal length for cover letters depends on how you’re sending them. If the cover letter is in an online form or in the body of an email message, keep it to 100-150 words. But if you send it as a formal attachment, go for a longer version, between 250-400 words.
