The short answer is no, in most cases a cover letter should not be two pages. Hiring managers typically spend less than a minute scanning each application, and a cover letter that spills onto a second page signals that you had difficulty prioritizing your message. One page, roughly 250 to 400 words, remains the standard for the vast majority of US job applications.
That said, there are a few legitimate exceptions. Understanding when those exceptions apply, and how to stay concise when they do not, can make the difference between a letter that gets read and one that gets skipped.
If you are unsure about the general structure, start with our guide on how to write a cover letter before deciding on length.
When a Two-Page Cover Letter Might Be Acceptable
A longer cover letter is only justified when the employer explicitly asks for additional detail or when the nature of the role demands it. Here are the most common scenarios:
Academic and Research Positions
Faculty positions, postdoctoral fellowships, and research roles often require a cover letter that addresses teaching philosophy, research agenda, and publication highlights. In these cases, search committees expect a longer document and may even specify a two-page limit in the posting.
Federal and Government Applications
US federal job applications through USAJOBS frequently require detailed narratives that address each qualification listed in the vacancy announcement. A two-page letter is common and sometimes necessary to demonstrate eligibility under the specialized experience requirements.
Senior Executive Roles
Candidates applying for C-suite or VP-level positions may need additional space to summarize decades of leadership experience, board-level accomplishments, and strategic outcomes. Even here, brevity is valued, but a second page is less likely to count against you.
Explicit Employer Instructions
Some job postings ask applicants to address specific questions or competencies in the cover letter. When the employer sets those expectations, follow them, even if it means going beyond one page.
When You Should Absolutely Keep It to One Page
For the majority of roles, a one-page cover letter is not just preferred but expected. This applies to:
- Entry-level and mid-level positions. Recruiters handling high-volume hiring will not read a second page.
- Private-sector corporate roles. Unless the posting says otherwise, one page is the norm.
- Career changes. A concise letter that connects transferable skills to the target role is more effective than a long explanation of your entire background.
- Any application submitted through an ATS. Applicant tracking systems parse content more reliably from shorter, well-structured documents.
If your letter is running long, the problem is usually not that you have too much relevant experience. It is that you have not yet decided what to cut. Review our cover letter format guide for a breakdown of what each section should contain and how long it should be.
How to Trim a Cover Letter That Is Too Long
Cutting a cover letter down to one page does not mean removing substance. It means removing the parts that do not move your candidacy forward. Here are practical ways to do it:
1. Remove the Summary of Your Resume
Your cover letter should complement your resume, not repeat it. If a paragraph restates your job titles, dates, and duties, cut it. Instead, pick one or two achievements that are most relevant to the role and expand on those.
2. Delete Generic Statements
Lines like "I am a hard worker with excellent communication skills" add word count without adding value. Replace them with specific evidence or remove them entirely.
3. Limit Yourself to Three Body Paragraphs
A strong cover letter needs an opening, one to two paragraphs of evidence, and a closing. If you have four or five body paragraphs, consolidate the two weakest into one or drop them.
4. Shorten Your Opening
Many applicants waste three or four sentences on how they found the job posting. One sentence is enough. State the role, state why you are interested, and move on to your qualifications.
5. Use Tighter Formatting
Before rewriting, check your margins, font size, and spacing. Standard settings are one-inch margins, an 11-point font, and single spacing with a blank line between paragraphs. Adjusting from 1.5-inch margins to one-inch margins alone can recover significant space.
6. Read It Out Loud
If a sentence does not add new information or advance your argument, it does not belong. Reading aloud makes filler easier to spot.
Use a cover letter checklist to verify that every section is pulling its weight before you submit.
What Recruiters Actually Think About Long Cover Letters
Recruiters consistently report that shorter letters are more effective. A two-page cover letter suggests that the applicant either does not understand professional norms or cannot communicate concisely, both of which are red flags for most roles.
The exception is when the job posting explicitly requests a longer format. In that case, failing to provide enough detail can hurt you just as much as writing too much in a standard application.
When in doubt, aim for one page. If you have followed a clear cover letter format and still cannot fit everything, revisit your content choices rather than adding a second page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a two-page cover letter ever acceptable?
Yes, but only in specific situations. Academic positions, federal government applications, and senior executive roles may warrant a second page. For most private-sector jobs, one page is the standard. If the job posting does not mention length, default to one page.
How many words should a cover letter be?
A one-page cover letter typically runs between 250 and 400 words. This is enough to introduce yourself, highlight one or two relevant achievements, and close with a call to action. See our cover letter examples for letters that stay within this range.
What if the employer asks me to address multiple competencies?
Follow the employer's instructions. If the posting lists five competencies and asks you to address each one, a longer letter is expected. Use concise paragraphs or bullet points to cover each competency without unnecessary filler.
How do I know if my cover letter is too long?
If your letter exceeds one page with standard formatting (11-point font, one-inch margins, single spacing), it is too long for most applications. Review each paragraph and ask whether it adds information that your resume does not already provide.
Does cover letter length affect ATS screening?
Applicant tracking systems do not reject letters based on length alone. However, longer documents increase the chance of formatting errors during parsing. A concise, well-structured one-page letter is the safest choice for ATS compatibility and recruiter readability.