How long should a cover letter be?

Short: roughly 250 to 350 words, never more than a page. An opening, one proof paragraph with two examples, and a brief close.

What should the first line of a cover letter say?

Name the role and give one specific reason you want to work at this company, for example a product you use or something in the posting. Skip generic openers.

Is it OK to mention a skill I don't have?

Yes, briefly and honestly, if the posting asks for it: say what similar thing you've done and how you'd get up to speed. Don't claim the skill.

PaperChore › Guides › Job search

How to write a cover letter in 10 minutes

By the PaperChore team · Updated Oct 15, 2026

The short answer

Spend 2 minutes picking the job's top three needs, 2 minutes on an opening that names the role and one specific reason you want this company, 4 minutes on a middle paragraph with two real examples matched to their needs, and 2 minutes on a short close and a proofread. Aim for roughly 250 to 350 words.

Minutes 0 to 2: pick their top three needs

Read the posting once and write down the three things they need most. They're usually in the first bullets of the requirements and repeated elsewhere. Your letter answers those three, nothing else.

Minutes 2 to 4: the opening (2 sentences)

Name the role, then give one specific reason you want to work there: a product you use, a recent launch, the customers they serve, something from the posting itself. Skip "I am writing to express my interest."

I'm applying for the Operations Coordinator role at Northline. I've been a customer for two years, and your move to same-day delivery in Denver is exactly the kind of logistics problem I like working on.

Minutes 4 to 8: the proof paragraph (3 to 5 sentences)

Take two of their needs and give a real example for each: what you did, and what changed because of it. Use their words where they fit. If there's a gap (a tool you haven't used), one honest line about how you'd close it beats ignoring it.

You're looking for someone who can keep vendors on schedule. At Ridge Supply I managed 14 vendors' delivery calendars and rebuilt our reorder sheet, which cut missed deliveries in half over two quarters. You also mention Airtable. I haven't used it at work, but I run our team's tracking in Smartsheet and picked it up in a week.

Minutes 8 to 10: the close and a proofread

One or two sentences: you'd welcome a conversation, plus your availability. Then check the company name, the role title and the hiring manager's name if you used one. Copying the wrong company name into a letter is the classic mistake.

The template

Dear [Hiring manager's name or "Hiring team"],

I'm applying for the [Role] position at [Company]. [One specific reason you want this company.]

You're looking for [need #1]. [Your example and its result.] You also need [need #2]. [Your example and its result.] [Optional: one honest line about a gap.]

I'd welcome the chance to talk about how I can help with [need #3 or the team's goal]. I'm available [when].

Thank you,
[Name] · [phone] · [email]

Common mistakes

Repeating your resume line by line. Pick two stories instead.
Writing about what you want from the job more than what they need.
Claims you can't back up in an interview.
Going over a page.

Common questions

How long should a cover letter be?: Short: roughly 250 to 350 words, never more than a page. An opening, one proof paragraph with two examples, and a brief close.
What should the first line of a cover letter say?: Name the role and give one specific reason you want to work at this company, for example a product you use or something in the posting. Skip generic openers.
Is it OK to mention a skill I don't have?: Yes, briefly and honestly, if the posting asks for it: say what similar thing you've done and how you'd get up to speed. Don't claim the skill.

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