How Do You Shorten a Cover Letter?

To cut your cover letter down to one page, do the following things:

1. Compare with your CV and job description: Look for any overlap or redundant details. If something is already covered in your CV, don’t repeat it in the cover letter.
2. Keep your opening short: Limit your introduction to 2–3 sentences. A brief, impactful opening is enough to engage the reader.
3. Eliminate unnecessary fluff: Ensure your cover letter is concise and focused. Remove any vague or irrelevant information.
4. Be mindful of adjectives and adverbs: Use descriptive language sparingly. Overuse of adjectives and adverbs can make your letter wordy or unfocused.
5. Choose 2–3 key success examples: Highlight a few strong examples that demonstrate your abilities. Your CV will provide additional details.

To ensure your cover letter stays within the recommended length and follows an ideal cover letter structure, consider using a cover letter builder like LiveCareer. The tool provides guidance throughout the process, offering helpful tips and examples for a standout cover letter.

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Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.