Short cover letter: example and structure

What is a short cover letter?

A short cover letter is usually between 150 and 250 words. You write it in five short paragraphs: a salutation, an opening, a core, a closing thought and a sign-off. Each paragraph has one job.

The difference from a full motivation letter is mainly depth. In a short letter you choose one or two strong points and develop them. You do not try to mention everything. That makes the letter easy to scan.

When do you choose a short letter?

Read the vacancy carefully. Does the employer ask for a short response, or is there only a text box without further explanation? Then a short letter fits best. A letter that is too long looks as if you did not understand the request.

A short letter is usually enough too when a recruiter emails you directly, or when you apply for a job through a platform. You have little room then, and every sentence has to do some work.

Structure in five steps

This order keeps the letter clear. Each step has one purpose.

• Salutation: use the name of the recruiter or the line manager. If it is not in the vacancy, write “Dear Sir or Madam” (Geachte heer/mevrouw).
• Opening: name the job and your reason for applying in one sentence. Refer to the vacancy, not to the company in general.
• Core: describe two points that match the vacancy. Use a concrete example from your work or studies, with what you did and what it achieved.
• Closing thought: show why you fit this organisation, in one or two sentences. For example, mention a project or a way of working that appeals to you.
• Sign-off: say that your CV is attached, invite them to an interview and finish with your name and contact details.

Example of a short cover letter

The example below applies for the job of warehouse operative. Replace the figures, names and examples with your own details. The structure stays the same.

View the CV example for a warehouse operative

Tips for a short letter

In a short letter every sentence matters. These tips help you keep the letter sharp.

• Choose one core message. If you want to say two things, make sure the second does not overshadow the first.
• Use the words from the vacancy, as long as they match your own experience. The reader recognises them, and some application systems search for them.
• Be concrete. “I work accurately” says little. “I check every round for the right size and the right label” shows what you mean.
• Read the letter out loud. If a sentence stumbles, it is too long.
• Put the letter in the email or the form, and attach your CV as a PDF with a clear file name, such as “CV-firstname-lastname.pdf”.

Do this

• Name the job and the organisation in the first paragraph.
• Show one strong example instead of a list of duties.
• Keep the letter to one page.
• Check the spelling and the name of the organisation. A wrong name stands out immediately.

Avoid this

• A letter that only repeats what is in your CV.
• A generic opening line, such as “I hereby apply for the vacancy”, without naming the job or the company.
• Negative remarks about your previous employer or about why you want to leave.
• A list of hobbies or personal circumstances that have nothing to do with the job.

Difference from a motivation letter

A motivation letter goes deeper into your drivers and your choices. That letter is longer and often works better for a course or a traineeship. If you want a more extensive version, read the page about the motivation letter. For most vacancies a short, well-chosen letter is enough.

Choose the core of your letter

Before you write, put the vacancy next to your CV. Find the two requirements that weigh most heavily. These are usually the duties in the first paragraph of the vacancy, or the points the employer repeats. Choose your two strongest examples to match them.

Write each example in three sentences: the situation, what you did and what it achieved. With those three sentences you fill the core of your paragraph without padding the text around it. If the result cannot be measured, describe what changed for the team or the customer.

Check before you send

Go through this list before you send the letter. A mistake in the name of the organisation stands out and reads as haste.

• Are the name of the organisation and the job title spelt correctly?
• Is the recruiter’s name right, if you have it?
• Is there no sentence in it that belongs to a different vacancy?
• Is the CV the right version, with the same job title as in the letter?
• Does the letter fit on one page when you print it?

Frequently asked questions