Short Cover Letter Example
Not every application needs a full page. When you apply by email, through a form with a character limit, or for a role where the ad asks for "a few lines about yourself", a short letter is the better choice. The example below is five sentences long and still covers what a full letter does.
Warehouse Supervisor application – Mark Evans
Dear Ms Novak,
I would like to apply for the Warehouse Supervisor role at Eastgate Distribution, advertised on Indeed. I have spent five years as a team leader in a 24-hour parcel warehouse, where I run a night shift of 14 people.
Last year my shift had the site's best picking accuracy, 99.6%, and the lowest absence rate, after I introduced short start-of-shift briefings and a fairer rota.
I have a forklift licence and first-aid certificate, and I can start with four weeks' notice. My CV is attached and I would be glad to talk at any time that suits you.
Kind regards,
Mark Evans
When a short cover letter is the right choice
- When the application is sent by email and the letter is the body of the email itself.
- When an online form has a text box with a character limit, often 1,000 to 2,000 characters.
- For hourly, shift-based and practical roles, where managers want the key facts quickly.
- When the job ad asks for "a short note" or "a few lines".
- As a follow-up message to a recruiter who already has your CV.
What a short letter must still include
The role and where you saw it
One sentence. Recruiters often handle several vacancies at once.
Who you are, in one line
Your current role or situation and the most relevant number: years of experience, team size, qualification.
One result
The single strongest piece of evidence, with a figure if you have one. This is what separates a short letter from a one-line email.
Practical details and a close
Licences, availability or notice period, and a line saying your CV is attached and you are happy to talk.
Mistakes to avoid in a short cover letter
- Cutting the result to save space. Without it, the letter says nothing your CV does not.
- Leaving the subject line vague. Put the job title and your name in it.
- Writing "Please find my CV attached" as the whole message.
- Forgetting to attach the CV, or attaching it as an editable file when a PDF was requested.
- Using a casual tone because it is an email. A short letter is still a formal application.
Frequently asked questions
Is a short cover letter acceptable?
Yes, in the right situations: email applications, online forms with limited space, and practical or hourly roles. For senior, academic or very competitive roles, a full one-page letter is usually expected.
How short can a cover letter be?
Around 80 to 150 words, in three short paragraphs or five or six sentences. Below that you usually lose the result, which is the part that makes the letter worth reading.
Can the email itself be my cover letter?
Yes. When you apply by email, a short letter in the body of the email works well, with the CV attached as a PDF. If the ad asks for a separate cover letter, attach a full letter as well and keep the email to two or three lines.
What should the subject line be when applying by email?
The job title, the reference number if there is one, and your name, for example "Warehouse Supervisor application – Mark Evans". It helps the recruiter find your email again later.
Ready to write your own?
Start from a draft in the builder, pick the design that matches your CV and download a one-page PDF.