We use cookies to collect information about how you use the National Careers Service. This information is used to make the website work as well as possible and improve our services.

You’ve accepted all cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

beta Complete an independent survey to give us feedback about our website.

  • Careers advice
  • Cover letters

There is a problem

How to write a cover letter.

A cover letter introduces you to an employer and asks them to think about your application. 

It’s a short letter, usually 3 to 5 paragraphs long.

When to include a cover letter

You should always include a cover letter when you apply for a job using a CV. 

You can write it as an email if you’re applying online or print a copy to go with a paper application.

When writing a cover letter, let the employer know you’re keen by showing that you’ve researched the company. Learn more about what they do through:

  • their website
  • recent news articles
  • talking to people you know who work there

Send it to the right person

It's important to try to address your cover letter to someone by name. Check you have the details of the person you need to send it to. 

You'll need their name and preferred title. For example, ‘Dr’, ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’, ‘Ms’, and their job title. You should also make sure you have the right company name and address, including postcode.

If you do not know their name

If the job advert does not include a name you can check the company website. Try to find details of the head of the department, head of human resources or a recruitment manager.

If you still cannot find a name, you can start your letter with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.

Introduction

Introduce yourself and explain how you found the advertised job. You can mention the job title, and reference number if there is one. 

If you’re asking about any job openings and not applying to a vacancy, tell them what sort of job you’re looking for. Let the employer see how keen you are to work for them.

Show you're right for the job

Highlight the skills and experience you have that match what the employer is looking for. 

Convince them that you're enthusiastic about working for them. Let them know you share their work values, culture and style.

Give extra information

If you have gaps in your employment history, you could talk about the skills you gained while you were out of work.

If you’ve mentioned on your CV that you have a disability, you might want to talk more about this in your cover letter. Organisations like Disability UK can give you advice on how to do this. You do not have to mention your disability at this stage if you prefer not to.

You can get more help with specialist advice on finding work if you have a disability.

Ending your cover letter

Thank the employer for considering your application. Let them know that they can get more details from your CV, and tell them you're looking forward to hearing from them.

Let them know how they can best contact you. Make sure your contact details are correct on both your cover letter and CV.

Yours sincerely or yours faithfully

If you know the name of the person you’re writing to, you should end the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’.

If you’ve addressed the letter ‘Dear Sir or Madam’, you should end the letter with ‘Yours faithfully’.

Tips for writing a cover letter

When writing your cover letter, remember to:

  • write a new one for every job you apply for and make sure it’s tailored to the company and the specific role
  • use the same font and size as you do for your CV, so it looks consistent
  • make sure the company name and recruiter’s details are correct
  • use the right language and tone: keep it professional and match the keywords used by the employer in their job advert
  • show you’ve done your research into the job and the company
  • highlight your most relevant skills and experience to stand out from other applicants
  • back up any statements you make with facts and use the STAR method
  • double check spelling and grammar before you send it
  • keep a copy of your cover letter as they may ask you about it in an interview

Related content

How to write a CV

Completing application forms

Interview tips

Speak to an adviser

You can call 0800 100 900 or use webchat to speak to an adviser.

We're open:

  • 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday
  • 10am to 5pm Saturdays and bank holidays

We're closed on Sundays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Rate your experience

How satisfied are you with the website?

  • Uni Reviews
  • Student Guide
  • Student stories
  • UK Survival Service

Logo

This article was updated by the Great British Mag content team on 12 October 2021

When you’re applying for jobs in the UK, you’ll often be asked to submit a British style CV alongside a cover letter. But what is a cover letter, what should you include in yours and how can you make it stand out? We’ve got all the answers you’re looking for right here.

GB Mag Survival Service creative - 2021

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is an important part of your job application – for some recruiters, it’s the most important part of your application. It’s a letter you write to the hiring manager about why you’re the best candidate for the job.

Cover letters are a lot more flexible than CVs, meaning you have the opportunity to include additional relevant information about yourself that could convince the reader that you’re the person they’re looking for. This is your opportunity to show a bit of your personality, explain in detail what makes you such a great fit and talk about why you’re so drawn to working in this particular role.

Cover letters are particularly important for students and graduates, as it’s likely you won’t have that much actual work experience to include in your CV. You can use this letter to highlight your transferable skills and talk about specific experiences and achievements that didn’t quite fit into your CV.

Do I really need to write a cover letter?

If the job advert requests one, or the online application form leaves space for you to upload one, then yes. Even if it seems optional, include one in your submission. It’s a great opportunity to share important information about yourself, your suitability for the role and convince the reader to invite for an interview.

However, if the job ad specifies to only send a CV then leave the cover letter out – you don’t want it to look like you can’t follow simple instructions.

How do you start a cover letter?

First, it’s important that you address your letter to a person, wherever possible. A lot of the time, the hiring manager’s name will be in the job ad or the email address given for submissions, or you’ll be able to find it through a little online research. Having that personalised element – as opposed to beginning your letter with ‘Dear sir or madam’ – makes all the difference.

What should a cover letter include?

As well as basic information like your contact details and the name of the role you’re applying for, your cover letter should include:

  • A brief introduction with an overview of your career (or student) status. For instance, ‘I’m a recent UCL graduate with a first-class degree in engineering’, or ‘I’m an economics student at the University of Manchester looking to secure an internship in the finance sector’.
  • Why you’re interested in the specific role you’re applying for, what about it appeals to you and why you’re drawn to the company. And how your experience, skills and personal interests make you a perfect fit for the role.
  • The benefits you could bring to the team or offer the company – be that a positive, can-do mentality, experience in a certain field that they may be interested in exploring, or the ability to hit the ground running, thanks to your pre-existing knowledge.

What should I avoid in my cover letter?

Be sure to not repeat information that’s in your CV. Use your cover letter to highlight or elaborate on certain points, but you don’t want to just regurgitate the same stuff. Also, be economical with your words – you want this letter to be concise and to the point, so avoid including anything that’s not directly relevant to the job you’re applying for.

As a student, don’t apologise for or draw attention to your lack of relevant work experience. If the company is looking for a graduate, they will be aware that candidates won’t have held lots of roles yet. Instead, highlight the transferrable skills you do have, even if they were gained from jobs in other fields (part-time jobs, volunteering experience or internships are all great for this) and demonstrate your interest in the industry in other ways.

It’s really important that your cover letter is clear and well-written – with no spelling or grammatical mistakes. So be sure to proofread it a few times, looking carefully for any slip-ups. It’s a good idea to ask someone else to read it through too – a friend, family member or the university’s career advisor, perhaps – as a fresh pair of eyes can really help to weed out errors or spot any missing information.

How can I make my cover letter stand out?

Get online and research the company and the role before you start writing. Jot down some key pieces of information – like brand values, the company’s goals and achievements, and its target audience or customer, perhaps – and weave this into your cover letter. This will show the hiring manager that you’ve done your homework and also allow you to talk about how your expertise, skills or interests align with the company.

Also, read the job advert thoroughly – we mean really thoroughly – so it’s clear in your letter that you understand the responsibilities of the role and can fulfil them. Try to mirror the language used in the ad so that even from a quick skim, the person reading your letter can tell you’ve addressed all the requirements it mentions. Sometimes, applications will be shortlisted by computer software that’s programmed to recognise keywords, making this all the more important.

Using the same language as the ad also helps steer your tone and give you an idea of how formal (or not) your letter should be, which can make you come across as a good fit with the company culture.

How do you sign off a cover letter?

If you think that a formal approach is the way to go for a particular application, then sign off the letter in a traditional way. That is, if you’ve addressed the letter to a specific person (which is always best, remember), you’d sign off with ‘Yours sincerely’ followed by your name. If you couldn’t find a specific name to address the letter to, it’s ‘Yours faithfully’ at the end. A bit confusing, we know.

Some applications will call for a less formal approach (again, be led by the tone and style of the job advert), in which case you can just sign off with your name with no particular flourishes.

How long should a cover letter be?

Keep cover letters short and sweet – five paragraphs maximum, and no longer than one side of A4. Not only would it be really time-consuming for you to write longer letters, but you want to make sure all the really critical information is easy to spot and not buried among unessential paragraphs.

Do I need to write a new cover letter for every job application?

We’re afraid so, yes. While you might find it useful to use templates (there is no short supply of cover letter templates online – just Google them) the content of the letter should be new for every single application.

Why? Because every job and every company you apply to will be different. To give yourself the best chance of getting noticed, you want to look like the perfect candidate for each specific role, so your letter will need to be tailored especially.

We know it’s time consuming, but it really could make all the difference.

You may also like to read

How to write a British-style CV

What is a graduate scheme and how do I apply?

How to write a personal statement for your CV

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

What is freshers week, how many hours can international students work in the uk, the innovator visa – explained, privacy overview, how do i get into a uk university via clearing, chinese students studying in the uk: the top 10 things you....

  • International edition
  • Australia edition
  • Europe edition

Type writer with "Dear Madam" written on it

Three excellent cover letter examples

Cover letters are the first chance you have to impress an employer – they’re not just a protective jacket for your CV. Here’s our guide on what to include and how to format them

  • More CV and cover letter templates
  • Looking for a job? Explore the range of vacancies on Guardian Jobs and find the perfect role for you

The first thing a potential employer sees in your job application is the cover letter. This doesn’t just support your CV – it’s an opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd and persuade the recruiter to put you through to the next round.

Be wary of spending hours on perfecting your CV at the expense of your cover letter. If you need some inspiration on what to include and what format to use, here are our helpful guides – just remember not to copy them as exact templates.

1. Standard, conservative style

This is ideal for sectors such as business, law, accountancy and retail. For more creative sectors, a letter like this might be less appealing, and could work against you.

Dear Mr Black, Please find enclosed my CV in application for the post advertised in the Guardian on 30 November. The nature of my degree course has prepared me for this position. It involved a great deal of independent research, requiring initiative, self-motivation and a wide range of skills. For one course, [insert course], an understanding of the [insert sector] industry was essential. I found this subject very stimulating. I am a fast and accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail and I should be very grateful for the opportunity to progress to market reporting. I am able to take on the responsibility of this position immediately, and have the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success of it. Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Yours sincerely

2. Standard speculative letter

This may vary according to the nature of the organisation and the industry you’re applying to.

Dear Mr Brown, I am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies in your company. I enclose my CV for your information. As you can see, I have had extensive vacation work experience in office environments, the retail sector and service industries, giving me varied skills and the ability to work with many different types of people. I believe I could fit easily into your team. I am a conscientious person who works hard and pays attention to detail. I’m flexible, quick to pick up new skills and eager to learn from others. I also have lots of ideas and enthusiasm. I’m keen to work for a company with a great reputation and high profile like [insert company name]. I have excellent references and would be delighted to discuss any possible vacancy with you at your convenience. In case you do not have any suitable openings at the moment, I would be grateful if you would keep my CV on file for any future possibilities. Yours sincerely

3. Letter for creative jobs

We’ve used the example of a copywriter but you can adapt it for your profession. The aim of a creative letter is to be original and show you have imagination, but understand what the job entails. Balance is essential: don’t be too wacky, or it will turn off the reader.

Dear Ms Green, · Confused by commas? · Puzzled by parenthesis? · Stumped by spelling? · Perturbed by punctuation? · Annoyed at the apostrophe? (And alliteration?) Well, you’re not alone. It seems that fewer and fewer people can write. Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who can read. So they’ll spot a gaffe from a mile off. And that means it’s a false economy, unless you’re 100% sure of yourself, to write your own materials. (Or to let clients do it for themselves.) To have materials properly copywritten is, when one considers the whole process of publishing materials and the impact that the client wishes to make, a minor expense. Sloppiness loses clients, loses customers. There is an answer. Me. Firm quotes are free. You can see some of what I do on my multilingual website at [insert web address]. If you’d like, I can get some samples out to you within 24 hours. And, if you use me, you’ll have some sort of guarantee that you can sleep soundly as those tens of thousands of copies are rolling off the presses. Luck shouldn’t come into it! With kindest regards

Other helpful resources

How to write a perfect CV and cover letter

Applying for jobs without experience? How to build and sell your skills

Five steps to the perfect graduate CV

School-leavers and graduates: how to write your first CV

How to write a personal statement for your CV

CV templates to fit every stage of your career

Looking for a job? Browse Guardian Jobs for your next career step.

  • Guardian Careers
  • CV and cover letter examples
  • Covering letters

Comments (…)

Most viewed.

  • Log in
  • Site search

Sample cover letter

Cover letters add context to your CV and when used correctly are a great way to convince employers that you're right for the job. This sample cover letter should help you get started

A cover letter demonstrates to recruiters how well you express yourself, so you need to make sure that you don't just repeat your CV or give rambling explanations. Instead, use this opportunity to focus on your skills and experience, saving your qualifications for your CV.

The basic cover letter structure covers:

  • why you're writing the letter
  • why you think you're suitable for the job (with examples)
  • relevant skills and experience
  • summary of your interest in the role.

Double check what you've written as spelling mistakes or lack of attention to detail will put your cover letter straight on the no pile.

Please be aware that this is an example. Use this cover letter template to help generate ideas and structure your own document but avoid copying and pasting. Your cover letter needs to be original and tailored to the job you're applying for.

Avril Lee 115 My Street Mytown WX55 1CQ [email protected] 07777999888

Harry Smith Graduate HR director Big Company Ltd Woodcotes Business Park The Midlands MX9 6PQ

5th May 2023

Dear Mr Smith

Re: Logistics graduate scheme

I would like to apply for the logistics track of your graduate training scheme, advertised on the Prospects.ac.uk website. As requested, I am enclosing my CV.

I am in the final year of my geography degree, expecting a 2:1. Always intending to have a career in business, I have taken modules on the geography of business and GIS modelling. My final-year dissertation is on changing patterns in retail. During my degree, I have developed my analytical skills and ability to read, manage and present data. I have also become familiar with a range of business intelligence sources.

As you can see from my CV I have experience in:

  • Retail - moving from shelf stacker to checkout operator to team leader in my two years with Fresh Foods. I contributed to the store consistently being in the top five for the region by providing excellent customer service.
  • Warehouse operations - picking and packing to meet targets over the busy Christmas period.

I have also:

  • Worked in and led teams at Fresh Foods, on course projects and in sports.
  • Communicated with colleagues at all levels in retail and warehousing.
  • Solved problems as a team leader, ensuring staff cover and dealing with customer complaints.
  • Worked flexibly doing both early and late shifts and covering for absence, sometimes at short notice.
  • Managed my time when combining study with work and sport.

My semester in Germany exposed me to a different culture and improved my language skills. In addition, my voluntary work with young people has increased my resilience and ability to mix with people from all walks of life.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

(Sign your name here)

Find out more

  • Get more information on cover letters .
  • If you're applying for a job that's not advertised take a look at an example speculative cover letter .
  • Learn more about the 5 things to avoid when writing a cover letter .

How would you rate this page?

On a scale where 1 is dislike and 5 is like

  • Dislike 1 unhappy-very
  • Like 5 happy-very

Thank you for rating the page

How to write a cover letter for 2021

Content team

When the time comes for you to write a cover letter for your application, it can be very tricky. After all, it needs to expand on your key skills and suitability to the role. There’s a lot of pressure. But, a great cover letter really can make the difference between landing an interview and not making the cut.

how to write a cover letter uk 2021

We all know how time-consuming they can be to put together. After all, every application requires a uniquely tailored approach for each company. While it might seem a tedious task, getting it right is essential.

Recruiters receive masses of applications every day; and your cover letter needs to stand out. The New Year is a great time to get ahead and write the perfect cover letter that will land you your dream job.

Still not convinced? Don’t worry – we’ll explain how to do it in more detail below.

Research is key

While not very exciting, research is essential when you start to write a cover letter. It’s also an important part of the overall job-hunting process. Before you even start typing, make sure you’ve done some detailed research first. Think about the following before writing:

  • Who are you addressing your letter to?
  • What does the job description say – does it mention any particular skills or experience?
  • What’s going on in your industry, are there any recent news stories?
  • Is there any news out there about the company you’re applying to?
  • What are the company’s aims or goals?
  • Who are the main competitors or clients of the business?

Include the essentials

You’re now at the stage where you can think about starting the letter. But don’t write a cover letter just yet. Have a plan in place first of what you need to include. You need to think about:

  • Why the position interests you
  • What your most relevant skills and experience are
  • How these skills will contribute to the business
  • How will you include a call to action that prompts a response from the recruiter?

Tailor the cover letter (to the role and organisation)

While a timely process, recruiters want to see that you’re passionate about working for their company. They prefer a candidate who has taken the time to apply , rather than an individual doing the rounds.

Obviously, this will be time-consuming for you, but it’s essential if you want to be shortlisted for, and ultimately land, the job.

Think about how you can show your potential employer that your skills, experience and qualities can fit into their role. You need to prove that you’re the candidate to hire and that you’re an exceptionally talented individual.

The structure

So , you’ve done your research and prepared you r plan. Now you want to know what structure to follow before you start to write a cover letter, right?

A cover letter should resemble any formal business letter. So this means placing your address in the right-hand corner and starting with the recruiter’s name, a formal greeting and ending with ‘Kind regards’. Here’s the format in more detail:

[Your Address Line 1]

[Address Line 2]

[Address Line 3]

[Phone Number]

[Company’s Address]

[Company’s phone number]

Dear [name],

Application for [name of the role]

Paragraph 1: The opening paragraph needs to say what job you’re applying for and where or how you found out about the position.

Paragraph 2 : This paragraph needs to be about you , and expand on the important details in your CV. You then need to give a summary of any skills or education you have that is relevant to the role.

Paragraph 3 : Here, you want to impress the recruiter on your knowledge of the company and the sector. This is the part where you need to explain why you want to work for their company and that particular role. Make this completely specific to the company and pick out a few key reasons ; whether you admire their work ethic, or have followed their journey closely over the years.

Ultimately, you want to show the hiring manager not what they can do for you, but what you can do for them. Remember, they’re looking for someone who will fit in with the company culture and their core values.

Paragraph 4: This is your last paragraph so end it proactively! Push the boat out there and say ‘I look forward to hearing from you’. Or, let t he recruiter know your availability for a call back. Finally, thank them for reading your letter.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

Submitting it digitally

After you write a cover letter, it’s time to send it. Nowadays, emailing over an application is extremely common. But what is the etiquette for this?

First of all, carefully read any instructions the employer has written. For example, if they want the letter attached as a Microsoft Word document, then do this. If nothing is specified stick with a PDF; it means that no matter what device or system the recruiter uses, they will still be able to open your letter.

If anything isn’t specified, you could also choose to copy and paste the letter from word into the email. Doing so means the recruiter has easy access to your letter to increase your chances of being shortlisted.

What length should my cover letter be?

When you write a cover letter, it shouldn’t exceed one A4 page. Understandably, this can be difficult when you want to include all of your experience and qualifications. But, you need to keep it to the point to avoid sending the recruiter to sleep.

The final proofread after you write a cover letter

So, you’ve finished writing your perfectly tailored cover letter. But you’re not quite finished yet. It’s officially time to proofread again and again. A small grammatical or spelling error could risk your cover letter being thrown in the ‘no box’. Ask a friend or family member to lend a fresh pair of eyes to give your letter another read.

Now you should be well prepared and set to land your dream job in 2021. For more career advice and application tips, check out our top 10 essential guidelines to follow when writing a cover letter.

Image: Pexels

Related career advice articles.

How to tailor your cover letter to the role

jobs.ac.uk - Great jobs for bright people

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to secondary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

career-advice.jobs.ac.uk

How To Write A Flawless Cover Letter

flawless cover letter scaled

Have you heard the phrase: ‘Behind every CV is a great cover letter’? We’d argue that the reverse is true. In front of every CV is a flawless cover letter. It’s your introductory tool which whets the appetite and leaves a memorable impression. Think of your CV as the facts and stats of your application. Your cover letter is your chance to add the depth and showcase who you really are.

Before we get stuck into the practicalities of writing a flawless cover letter, it’s vital to understand what you are trying to achieve.

The purpose of a cover letter

Whereas a CV should be a matching exercise for the recruiter, the cover letter expands your application from a set of data, into an individual worthy of attention.

Therefore, the goal of your cover letter is to convey more than the CV, expand on its content, and evoke emotion in the reader. It’s the hook – by the end, they should be diving into your CV and very keen to meet you.

A cover letter is also your chance to get personal. Even if you tweak your CV for every job you apply for (which is often impossible), a cover letter is your chance to address the question: ‘ Why are you applying for this job at this company?’ Your cover letter, therefore, must play to the requirements of the specific role.

As a result, all cover letters must be unique. As such, we urge you to steer clear of cover letter templates . Take the time and effort to craft your own, or get a professional to do it for you.  It will pay dividends.

The structure of the cover letter

Whilst remembering that a cover letter should be memorable, personalised and specific, cover letters should follow a basic format. This is:

  • Your memorable introduction.
  • Specific examples of how you meet the job criteria and fit the company.
  • Succinct conclusion with a clear call to action.

How you ‘fill in’ these sections is where people often go wrong. Indeed, it’s in how you actually craft these sections, that you can elevate from the mundane to the flawless cover letter.

So let’s explain more about what you should include, in these different sections of the cover letter.

Your cover letter introduction

The average recruiter is often inundated with applications. According to one famous and often quoted study, the average recruiter spends just 6 seconds reading a CV . We’d argue that this length of time is even shorter now we are smartphone scanners. The same will apply to your cover letter.

However, this is no reason to feel despondent. Your aim is to grab the recruiter’s attention and hook them in. In this way, you’ll get far more than 6 seconds of attention. But that introduction needs to be really powerful.

There are a few ways in which you can do this.

First, before you even put fingers to the keys, do your research. Find out the exact name of the recruiting manager. Address the letter directly to them.

Also, research the company and their culture. Choose a tone of voice which reflects this. Your cover letter is an excellent opportunity to show that you will fit their culture. Do it right from the start. However, don’t shed your personality completely to achieve this. In fact, if you need to, we’d argue that this isn’t the company for you.

Finally, ensure your opening paragraph is unique. Remember, the average recruiting manager reads hundreds of cover letters. They don’t need more of the same. Therefore, eliminate buzz words like ‘dynamic’ and ‘creative’, and instead inject some words which require a little more thought, and that haven’t been copied and pasted from a generic template.

The body of the cover letter

The body of the cover letter is the meat. However, it cannot be too long. You should aim for around three paragraphs here. Keep your language succinct and to the point.

Therefore, do not make the mistake of rehashing your CV, or cramming your entire career into the cover letter. Instead, think of your cover letter as being a way of painting a picture, which will make them want to find out more, from your CV, and by meeting you in person.

The ideal way to do this, using the written word, is through a story-style technique. These short stories illustrate that you will a) meet the requirements of the job, and b) fit in the culture of the organisation. The reader needs to be left with the sense that you can add value to their organisation.

To crack this, get hold of a detailed advert for the job or, ideally, the job description. Try to ascertain which the most important requirements are, as far as the recruiting manager is concerned. Then, try to pick a few examples from your experience that demonstrate that you’ve done this with success before.

Let’s look at an example. Let’s say a core requirement is the ability to manage large budgets with multiple stakeholders. The average cover letter may say something like “I have worked with complex budgets.”  In contrast, a more successful cover letter may say “During my time for X Company, I was responsible for a £1.1 million budget, for Y project. I successfully delivered the project at a total cost of £1 million, and navigated the needs of employees, shareholders and the board, as evidenced in the post-project reports and surveys.”

Moving on from showcasing your experience, you also want the body of your cover letter to cover how you can solve their specific problem. In our example above, the average cover letter writer would simply state that they are a “problem-solver”. Instead, you expand on your example to explain how you overcame specific problems. Quantify it where possible.

Remember to keep your language and tone of voice in keeping with your introduction; you still want to show your work style and personality.

The ending of your cover letter

Finally, you need an engaging closing. This needs to include a clear call to action. There needs to be a reason that they want to contact you. For example, state that you would enjoy the opportunity to explain more about how your specific experience is relevant to the role. Put your number in here.

Further advice on writing cover letters

Always be honest in your cover letter . Do not dramatize, and do not imply something which isn’t true.

Ditch overused phrases. For example, don’t waste time thanking them for looking at your CV. Keep the words for your unique message. Avoid clichés.

Consider the visual appeal of the letter. Keep it to one side of A4 or less, with plenty of whitespace. Avoid gimmicky fonts, but do use techniques such as bold, italics and bullet points, to highlight key messages.

Also, take time to edit and proof-read your cover letter. You may find it helpful to get a friend or two to do this for you.

It does take time and effort to craft a flawless cover letter. However, it’s worth it. It will lead the recruiting manager on, to read your CV, with a genuine idea of who you are as a person. They’ll be much more likely to call you for an interview.

Andrew Fennell is the founder of CV writing advice website StandOut CV.

Share this article

' src=

Andrew Fennell

Andrew Fennell is a former recruitment consultant and contributes careers advice to websites like Business Insider, The Guardian and FastCompany.

Reader Interactions

You may also like:.

' src=

11th January 2021 at 11:38 am

guide lines excellent , it would have been an ideal with a sample letter

' src=

30th January 2021 at 9:32 pm

Very informative, agreed with previous comment an example of covering letter would have been excellent.

' src=

8th July 2023 at 3:22 am

Hello, How can I see a sample of cover letter? Thanks.

' src=

10th July 2023 at 11:41 am

Hi you can see some examples here: https://career-advice.jobs.ac.uk/resources/how-to-write-a-cover-letter-for-management-and-administration-jobs/

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Please enter an answer in digits: 1 × three =

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

Background Image

After weeks of heavy job search, you’re almost there!

You’ve perfected your resume. 

You’ve short-listed the coolest jobs you want to apply for.

You’ve even had a friend train you for every single interview question out there.

But then, before you can send your application and call it a day, you remember that the job ad requires a cover letter.

Now you’re stuck wondering how to write a cover letter ...

Don’t panic! We’ve got you covered. Writing a cover letter is a lot simpler than you might think. 

In this guide, we’re going to teach you how to write a cover letter that gets you the job you deserve.

  • What’s a cover letter & why it’s important for your job search
  • How to write a convincing cover letter that gets you the job (step-by-step!)
  • How to perfect your cover letter with the Novoresume free checklist
  • What excellent cover letter examples look like

New to cover letter writing? Give our resumes 101 video a watch before diving into the article!

So, let’s get started with the basics!

What is a Cover Letter? (and Why It’s Important)

A cover letter is a one-page document that you submit as part of your job application (alongside your CV or Resume). 

Its purpose is to introduce you and briefly summarize your professional background. On average, your cover letter should be from 250 to 400 words long .

A good cover letter can spark the HR manager’s interest and get them to read your resume. 

A bad cover letter, on the other hand, might mean that your application is going directly to the paper shredder. So, to make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s essential to know how to write a convincing cover letter.

How does a good cover letter look, you might ask. Well, here’s an example:

how to write cover letter

Keep in mind, though, that a cover letter is a supplement to your resume, not a replacement. Meaning, you don’t just repeat whatever is mentioned in your resume.

If you’re writing a cover letter for the first time, writing all this might seem pretty tough. After all, you’re probably not a professional writer.

The thing is, though, you don’t need to be creative, or even any good at writing. All you have to do is follow a tried-and-tested format:

  • Header - Input contact information
  • Greeting the hiring manager
  • Opening paragraph - Grab the reader’s attention with 2-3 of your top achievements
  • Second paragraph - Explain why you’re the perfect candidate for the job
  • Third paragraph - Explain why you’re a good match for the company
  • Formal closing

Or, here’s what this looks like in practice:

structure of a cover letter

How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter (And Get Hired!)

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, we’re going to guide you through the process of writing a cover letter step by step. 

Step #1 - Pick the Right Cover Letter Template

A good cover letter is all about leaving the right first impression.

So, what’s a better way to leave a good impression than a well-formatted, visual template?

cover letter templates

You can simply pick one of our hand-picked cover letter templates , and you’ll be all set in a jiffy!

As a bonus, our AI will even give you suggestions on how to improve your cover letter on the go.

Step #2 - Start the Cover Letter with a Header

As with a resume, it’s important to start your cover letter with a Contact Information section:

contact information on a cover letter

Here, you want to include all essential information, including:

  • Phone Number
  • Name of the hiring manager / their professional title
  • Name of the company you’re applying to

In certain cases, you might also consider adding:

  • Social Media Profiles - Any type of profile that’s relevant to your field. Social Profiles on websites like LinkedIn, GitHub (for developers), Medium (for writers), etc.
  • Personal Website - If you have a personal website that somehow adds value to your application, you can mention it. Let’s say you’re a professional writer. In that case, you’d want to link to your blog.

And here’s what you shouldn’t mention in your header:

  • Your Full Address 
  • Unprofessional Email - Make sure your email is presentable. It’s pretty hard for a hiring manager to take you seriously if your email address is “[email protected].” Whenever applying for jobs, stick to the “[first name] + [last name] @ email provider.com” format.

matching resume and cover letter

Step #3 - Greet the Hiring Manager

Once you’ve properly listed your contact information, you need to start writing the cover letter contents.

The first thing to do here is to address the cover letter to the hiring manager .

That’s right, the hiring manager! Not the overly popular “Dear Sir or Madam.” You want to show your future boss that you did your research and are really passionate about working with their team.

No one wants to hire a job seeker who just spams 20+ companies and hopes to get hired in any of them.

So, how do you find out who’s the hiring manager? There are several ways to do this. 

The simplest option is to look up the head of the relevant department on LinkedIn. Let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Communication Specialist at Novoresume. The hiring manager is probably Head of Communications or Chief Communications Office.

So, you do a quick lookup on LinkedIn:

linkedin search cco

And voila! You have your hiring manager.

Or let’s say you’re applying for the position of a server. In that case, you’d be looking for the “restaurant manager.”

If this doesn’t work, you can also check out the “Team” page on the company website; there’s a good chance you’ll at least find the right person there.

Here are several other greetings you could use:

  • Dear [Department] Hiring Manager
  • Dear Hiring Manager
  • To whom it may concern
  • Dear [Department] Team

Step #4 - Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction

First impressions matter, especially when it comes to your job search.

Recruiters get hundreds, sometimes even thousands, of applications. Chances are, they’re not going to be reading every single cover letter end-to-end.

So, it’s essential to catch their attention from the very first paragraph .

The #1 problem we see with most cover letter opening paragraphs is that they’re usually extremely generic. Most of them look something like this..

  • Hey, my name is Jonathan and I’d like to work as a Sales Manager at XYZ Inc. I’ve worked as a sales manager at MadeUpCompany Inc. for 5+ years, so I believe that I’d be a good fit for the position.

See the issue here? This opening paragraph doesn’t say pretty much anything except the fact that you’ve worked the job before.

Do you know who else has similar work experience? All the other applicants you’re competing with.

Instead, you want to start off with 2-3 of your top achievements to really grab the reader’s attention. Preferably, the achievements should be as relevant as possible to the position.

So now, let’s make our previous example shine:

My name’s Michael and I’d like to help XYZ Inc. hit and exceed their sales goals as a Sales Manager. I’ve worked with Company X, a fin-tech company, for 3+ years. As a Sales Representative, I generated an average of $30,000+ in sales per month (beating the KPIs by around 40%). I believe that my previous industry experience, as well as excellence in sales, makes me the right candidate for the job.

See the difference between the two examples? If you were the hiring manager, which sales manager would you hire, Jonathan or Michael?

Now that we’ve covered the introduction, let’s talk about the body of your cover letter. This part is split into two paragraphs: the first is for explaining why you’re the perfect person for the job, and the latter is for proving that you’re a good fit for the company.

So, let’s get started...

Step #5 - Explain why you’re the perfect person for the job

This is where you show off your professional skills and convince the HR manager that you’re a better fit for the job than all the other applicants.

But first things first - before you even write anything, you need to learn what the most important requirements for the role are. So, open up the job ad and identify which of the responsibilities are the most critical.

For the sake of the example, let’s say you’re applying for the position of a Facebook Advertiser. You scan the job ad and see that the top requirements are:

  • Experience managing a Facebook ad budget of $10,000+ / month
  • Some skills in advertising on other platforms (Google Search + Twitter)
  • Excellent copywriting skills

Now, in this section, you need to discuss how you fulfill these requirements. So, here’s how that would look for our example:

In my previous role as a Facebook Marketing Expert at XYZ Inc. I handled customer acquisition through ads, managing a monthly Facebook ad budget of $20,000+ . As the sole digital marketer at the company, I managed the ad creation & management process end-to-end. Meaning, I created the ad copy , images, picked the targeting, ran optimization trials, and so on.

Other than Facebook advertising, I’ve also delved into other online PPC channels, including:

  • Google Search

Are you a student applying for your first internship? You probably don’t have a lot of work experience to show off in this section. Learn how to write an internship cover letter here.

Step #6 - Explain why you’re a good fit for the company

Once you’ve written the last paragraph, you might be thinking - I’m a shoo-in for the job! What else do I need to write? I’ll just wrap up the cover letter and hit that sweet SEND button.

Well, no. You’re not quite there yet.

The HR manager doesn’t only look at whether you’ll be good at the job or not. They’re looking for someone that’s also a good fit for the company culture.

After all, employees that don’t fit in are bound to quit, sooner or later. This ends up costing the company a ton of money, up to 50% of the employee’s annual salary . 

Meaning, you also need to convince the HR manager that you’re really passionate about working with them.

How do you do this? Well, as a start, you want to do some research about the company. You want to know things like:

  • What’s the company’s business model?
  • What’s the company product or service? Have you used it?
  • What’s the culture like? Will someone micro-manage your work, or will you have autonomy on how you get things done?

So, get to Googling. Chances are, you’ll find all the information you need either on the company website or somewhere around the web.

Then, you need to figure out what you like about the company and turn that into text.

Let’s say, for example, you’re passionate about their product and you like the culture of innovation / independent work in the organization.

You’d write something like:

I’ve personally used the XYZ Smartphone, and I believe that it’s the most innovative tech I’ve used in years. The features such as Made-Up-Feature #1 and Made-Up-Feature #2 were real game changers for the device. 

I really admire how Company XYZ thrives for excellence for all its product lines, creating market-leading tech. As someone that thrives in a self-driven environment, I truly believe that I and Company XYZ will be a great match.

What you don’t want to do here is be super generic for the sake of having something to write. Most job seekers tend to mess this one up. Let’s take a look at a very common example we tend to see (way too often):

I’d love to work for Company XYZ because of its culture of innovation. I believe that since I’m super creative, I’d be a good fit for the company. The company values of integrity and transparency really vibe with me.

See what’s wrong here? The example doesn’t really say anything about the company. “Culture of Innovation” is something most companies claim to have. 

The same goes for “values of integrity and transparency” - the writer just googled what the values for the organization are, and said that they like them.

Any hiring manager that reads this will see through the fluff.

So, make sure to do a lot of research and come up with good reasons why you're applying.

Step #7 - Wrap up with a call to action

Finally, it’s time to finish up your cover letter and write the conclusion.

In the final paragraph, you want to:

  • Wrap up any points you couldn't in the previous paragraphs. Do you have anything left to say? Any other information that could help the hiring manager make their decision? Mention it here.
  • Thank the hiring manager for their time. It never hurts to be courteous, as long as you don’t come off as too needy.
  • Finish the cover letter with a call to action. The very last sentence in your cover letter should be a call to action. You should ask the hiring manager to take some sort of action.

And now, let’s turn this into a practical example:

So to wrap it all up, thanks for looking into my application. I hope I can help Company X make the most out of their Facebook marketing initiatives. I'd love to further discuss how my previous success at XYZ Inc. can help you achieve your facebook marketing goals.

Step #8 - Use the right formal closing

Once you’re done with the final paragraph, all you have to do is write down a formal “goodbye” and you’re good to go.

Feel free to use one of the most popular conclusions to a cover letter:

  • Best Regards,
  • Kind Regards,

And we’re finally done! Before sending off the cover letter, make sure to proofread it with software like Grammarly, or maybe even get a friend to review it for you.

Does your cover letter heading include all essential information?

  • Professional email
  • Relevant Social Media Profiles

Do you address the right person? I.e. hiring manager in the company / your future direct supervisor

Does your introductory paragraph grab the reader's attention?

  • Did you mention 2-3 of your top achievements?
  • Did you use numbers and facts to back up your experience?

Do you successfully convey that you’re the right pro for the job?

  • Did you identify the core requirements?
  • Did you successfully convey how your experiences help you fit the requirements perfectly?

Do you convince the hiring manager that you’re passionate about the company you’re applying to?

  • Did you identify the top 3 things that you like about the company?
  • Did you avoid generic reasons for explaining your interest in the company?

Did you finalize the conclusion with a call to action?

Did you use the right formal closure for the cover letter?

5+ Cover Letter Examples

Need some inspiration? Read on to learn about some of the best cover letter examples we’ve seen (for different fields).

College Student Cover Letter Example

college or student cover letter example

Middle Management Cover Letter Example

Middle Management Cover Letter

Career Change Cover Letter Example

Career Change Cover Letter

Management Cover Letter Example

Management Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Senior Executive Cover Letter Example

Want to discover more examples AND learn what makes them stand out? Check out our guide to cover letter examples .

Next Steps in Your Job Search - Creating a Killer Resume

Your cover letter is only as good as your resume. If either one is weak, your entire application is for naught. 

After all, a cover letter is just an introduction. Imagine going through all this effort to leave an amazing first impression, but flopping at the end because of a mediocre resume.

...But don’t you worry, we’ve got you covered on that end, too.

If you want to learn more about Resumes & CVs, we have a dedicated FREE guide for that. Check out our complete guide on how to make a resume , as well as how to write a CV - our experts will teach you everything you need to know in order to land your dream job.

Or, if you’re already an expert, just pick one of our resume templates and get started.

resume examples for cover letter

Key Takeaways

Now that we’ve walked you through all the steps of writing a cover letter, let’s summarize everything we’ve learned:

  • A cover letter is a 250 - 400 word document that convinces the hiring manager of your competence
  • A cover letter goes in your job application alongside your resume
  • Your introduction to the cover letter should grab the hiring manager’s attention and keep it all the way until the conclusion
  • There are 2 main topics you need to include in your cover letter: why you’re the perfect candidate for the job & why you’re passionate about working in the company you’re applying to
  • Most of the content of your cover letter should be factual , without any fluff or generalizations

At Novorésumé, we’re committed to helping you get the job you deserve, every step of the way! Follow our blog to stay up to date with the industry-leading advice. Or, check out some of our top guides…

  • How to Write a Motivational Letter
  • How to Write a Resume with No Work Experience
  • Most Common Interview Questions and Answers

cookies image

To provide a safer experience, the best content and great communication, we use cookies. Learn how we use them for non-authenticated users.

Visa Traveler

Exploring the world one country at a time

How to write a compelling cover letter for UK visa (that will impress the ECO)

Updated: September 6, 2023

Cover Letter for UK Visa

A cover letter for UK visa is instrumental in persuading the ECO that you meet the visa requirements and have no intention of overstaying your visa. It gives you the opportunity to convince the ECO that you are a genuine visitor and you will promptly return back to your country.

A cover letter is a document to convey additional information that wasn’t asked in the UK visa application. It’s not a mandatory document but by far the most helpful document in increasing your chances of UK visa approval.

Table of Contents

Why do you need a cover letter for uk visa.

The information asked in the UK visa application isn’t enough to convince the ECO that you will return back to your home country after your trip. 

Most questions on the UK visa application are close-ended. They don’t give you an opportunity to explain. 

A cover letter allows you to explain in your own words and be as descriptive as you can. You can use your own format and even use illustrations if needed.

Is a cover letter mandatory for UK visa?

No. A cover letter is not mandatory for UK visa. It’s not even a document in the documents checklist for UK visa.

When I applied for my UK visa, I did not submit a cover letter. At that time, I didn’t know the importance of a cover letter for UK visa. I didn’t feel the need to explain anything additional, so I didn’t submit one. My visa was still approved. 

That’s not the case for everyone. A cover letter will not hurt your chances of approval, it can only help. It gives you an additional opportunity to convince the ECO. 

If I apply again for my UK visa, I would definitely submit a cover letter. 

What should you write in the cover letter?

A cover letter is not a mandatory document for UK visa. So obviously, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) does not provide any guidelines on what to include in the cover letter.

As you all know, I started this website in 2016. Since then, I have been helping my readers with their visas. I figured that a cover letter was the most helpful for UK visa. 

I have been writing cover letters for my readers. Over time, I learned that a cover letter with a certain format worked the best for UK visa. 

I would like to impart all my knowledge in this article, so you can write the most compelling cover letter for your UK visa. It will not only impress the ECO but will greatly improve your chances of visa approval.

So without any further delay, let’s get started. 

Format of the cover letter

Short Simple and Clear Cover Letter for UK Visa

The goal of the cover letter is to convince the ECO that you are a genuine visitor. You must do this in a simple, short and clear manner. ECOs rarely will have time for anything other than what’s asked.

Write your cover letter in simple words as if it’s meant for a 5th grader. If the language is too complicated to read, ECO will not bother to read it. 

Do not use words that people from your country can only understand. ECOs are from the UK and they can only understand the terms that they use in the UK. 

Example: It’s common for people in India to say something like “ please do the needful and revert back to me “. Even though it’s still understandable, saying something like “ please let me know if you need anything else from me ” will help the ECO understand better. 

Remember, a cover letter is not a mandatory document. ECO is doing you a favor by reading it. So, make it easy for the ECO.

Your cover letter should never be longer than two pages. ECOs rarely have time for things other than what’s asked in the application. If you present them with a booklet, they will toss it in the trash without even looking at it. 

Again remember, a cover letter is not mandatory. It should not consume too much of ECO’s time.

To further simplify your cover letter, format it with subheadings, bullets and highlights. This helps the ECO to quickly glance over the letter and read any section that interests them. 

Example:   Instead of writing like this – 

“ I intend to travel to the UK for tourism from 20 June 2021 to 24 June 2021 and I plan to visit various attractions in London such as Buckingham Palace, Tower of London, Tower Bridge, London Eye, Madame Tussauds, National Gallery, etc. “

Write like this – 

  • I intend to travel to the UK for tourism. My travel dates are from 20 June 2021 to 27 June 2021. 
  • 20 June 2021: Arrive at Heathrow International Airport at 3 PM. Check-In and dinner.
  • 21 June 2021: Visit Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London
  • 22 June 2021: Visit Tower Bridge and London Eye
  • 23 June 2021: Visit Madame Tussauds and National Gallery
  • 24 June 2021: Depart from Heathrow International Airport at 10 AM

Sections in the cover letter

Templates for UK visa by Visa Traveler

It’s important to break the cover letter into different sections. This helps the ECO quickly glance through the letter and understand the gist of it. If needed, the ECO can read specific sections. Your cover letter for UK visa must contain the following sections.

Section 1: Your previous UK visa refusals

In the UK visa application, there is a question on previous UK visa refusals. It asks about your previous UK visa refusal and its details. This question asks you to explain why your UK visa was refused but doesn’t ask why it shouldn’t have been refused

There is no other place in the application to address your previous visa refusals either. There is the “additional/extra information” area, but it’s only for text and not suitable for formatting or pictures. Therefore, the cover letter is the most appropriate place for addressing your previous UK visa refusal. 

If you are re-applying to challenge your UK visa refusal , include a section in your cover letter specifically for your previous visa refusal. Address your previous visa refusal with evidence, additional information and documentation. 

Keep this section as the first section in your cover letter. Having this section at the beginning of the cover letter will help the new ECO get straight to the point. Otherwise, they may overlook and your efforts of re-application may go to waste.

Here is an example.

Previous UK Visa Refusal

My previous application for the UK visitor visa with GWF number GWF12345678 was refused on 16 March 2021. 

I would like to address the reason for the refusal with additional information and documentation.

Reason for refusal: The sources of the deposit (£850) were not demonstrated by the documents provided.

Explanation: The deposit in question was made on 05-Dec-2020 for the amount of £850. This amount was the yearly bonus from my employer. Yearly bonuses are deposited in the first week of December every year. Please find the attached documentation to prove that these funds are available to me.

Additional Documentation: (1) Bonus slip, (2) bonus announcement email and (3) letter from my employer with details of bonus, amount and dates.

Section 2: Your travel purpose and itinerary

In this section, mention your purpose of visit and proposed itinerary in the UK. The itinerary must be detailed enough but not too descriptive to confuse the ECO. Format it with bullets and/or a table.

Proposed Travel Itinerary

  • I intend to travel to the UK for tourism for a total of 7 days. My travel dates are from 14 Oct 2021 to 20 Oct 2021.
  • My planned day-by-day itinerary is as follows

Section 3: People traveling with you to the UK

In this section, mention the people that will travel with you to the UK. If you are applying for the visa with your family members, mention their details such as name, passport number and GWF number. 

Each individual must submit one UK visa application. Say if a husband, wife and child are traveling to the UK together, each of them must submit a separate UK visa application. There is no easy way to tie these applications together. 

There is a question in the application asking for travel companions, but mentioning them again in your cover letter will help tie them all together. 

Travel Companions

I will be traveling to the UK with my wife and son. The GWF numbers of my wife’s and son’s UK visa applications are as follows.

Section 4: Your current employment/business or university details

In this section, mention your current employment details. Include details such as the employer’s name, how long you have been working and your current salary.

Employment Details

  • I currently work for Samcore Logistics, LTD, Dubai as a product manager.
  • I have been working as a product manager at Samcore Logistics, LTD since Nov 2014.
  • My monthly salary is 7,000 AED after taxes.
  • An original letter from my employer, a leave approval letter and bank statements indicating the salary deposits are attached.

If you are a business owner, mention the details of your business such as your business name, your role in the company, yearly revenue, etc.

Business Details

  • I own a construction business in Dubai since 2016. I’m the founder and president of the business.
  • The business has been in positive cash flow since its inception with yearly revenue of 300,000 AED.
  • A copy of my business registration, business license, bank statements and tax returns are attached.

If you are currently a student at the university, mention your university details along with the program, major and semester details.

University Details

  • I’m a full-time student enrolled in the undergraduate program at the University of the Philippines.
  • I’m currently in the second semester of my second year with another four semesters remaining to graduate.
  • A letter from my university and the fee payment receipts are attached.

Section 5: Your current financial situation

In this section, mention your source of income, savings and the bank statements for your UK visa . 

If you have multiple bank accounts, this section is a good place to talk about it. Explain why you have multiple bank accounts and how they are connected.

Financial Solvency

  • I currently have 300,000 INR (approx. 2,900 GBP) in my bank account.
  • The source of my savings is my salary from my employer, WinTech Corporation.
  • The last 6 months bank statements and payslips are attached.

It’s quite common for many to work in a foreign country and send all their earnings back home for family maintenance or savings. In such cases, you will have to submit bank statements from both countries, but most importantly, mention that clearly in this section.

If you use a broker or third party to send cash back home, errors can occur and transactions may not match. I highly recommend using a money transfer service such as Wise to transfer cash back to your home country.

Section 6: Your sponsorship information

If you are paying for your trip yourself, this section does not apply to you. Have this section in your cover letter only if someone else is paying for your trip. 

In this section, mention your sponsor details, your relationship with the sponsor, what expenses they will bear, etc. 

Sponsorship Details

  • My brother is sponsoring my trip to the UK.
  • He will bear all my travel expenses while I’m in the UK including accommodation, food and transportation.
  • A letter from my brother, his UK residence permit, employment proofs, bank statements, his apartment lease contract and the document to prove our relationship are attached.

Section 7: Your travel history

In this section, mention your travel history. Travel history is very important and highlighting it will only help with your UK visa. Your travel history can include all your previous travels to the UK and other countries. If you have traveled to a country multiple times, mention that country only once.

Travel History

  • In the last 5 years, I have traveled to 8 countries for both tourism and business. 
  • The countries I have traveled to are Hong Kong, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, UAE, Turkey and Denmark.
  • A copy of my visas and entry and exit stamps from all the above countries are attached.

Section 8: Any family members staying back at home

In this section, mention any family members remaining at home during your UK trip. This helps prove your family ties with your country. Family ties indicate that you will return back to your country after your trip. 

Do not include this section if it does not apply to you.

Family Remaining at Home

  • I currently live with my wife and two children.
  • My wife and children will remain at home during my trip to the UK.
  • A copy of my wife’s employment proof and children’s school receipts are attached.

Section 9: Your intention to return back

In this section, mention that you will promptly return back after your trip and the reasons for that. Reasons can be employment, business or attending to family needs. 

Intention to Return Back

  • I intend to return to Pakistan after the end of my UK trip on 27 Oct 2021 as I have to report back to my employer and continue at my job on 28 Oct 2021.
  • An original leave approval letter from my employer is attached.

Section 10: Any miscellaneous information

If you want to add something that didn’t fall under any specific section above, you can include it here. This could be something about properties you own (economic tie), your rental situation, covid safety precautions, etc.

Miscellaneous

  • I currently live in a rental apartment. A copy of my rental contract is attached.
  • I own farmland with my wife. A copy of my property ownership document is attached. 
  • I assure you that I will follow COVID safety precautions throughout my trip.

A cover letter is not a mandatory document for UK visa. But in my experience, it’s the most helpful document. The goal of the cover letter is to convince the ECO that you are a genuine visitor. Your cover letter must be simple, short and clear. Break the cover letter into sections, paragraphs and bullet lists. Use pictures and screenshots if necessary.

That’s it, folks! Now you know how to write a compelling cover letter for UK visa. This will greatly improve the chances of your UK visa approval. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments below.

WRITTEN BY THIRUMAL MOTATI

Thirumal Motati

Thirumal Motati is an expert in tourist visa matters. He has been traveling the world on tourist visas for more than a decade. With his expertise, he has obtained several tourist visas, including the most strenuous ones such as the US, UK, Canada, and Schengen, some of which were granted multiple times. He has also set foot inside US consulates on numerous occasions. Mr. Motati has uncovered the secrets to successful visa applications. His guidance has enabled countless individuals to obtain their visas and fulfill their travel dreams. His statements have been mentioned in publications like Yahoo, BBC, The Hindu, and Travel Zoo.

PLAN YOUR TRAVEL WITH VISA TRAVELER

I highly recommend using these websites to plan your trip. I use these websites myself to apply for my visas, book my flights and hotels and purchase my travel insurance.

01. Apply for your visa

Get a verifiable flight itinerary for your visa application from DummyTicket247 . DummyTicket247 is a flight search engine to search and book flight itineraries for visas instantly. These flight itineraries are guaranteed to be valid for 2 weeks and work for all visa applications.

02. Book your fight

Find the cheapest flight tickets using Skyscanner . Skyscanner includes all budget airlines and you are guaranteed to find the cheapest flight to your destination.

03. Book your hotel

Book your hotel from Booking.com . Booking.com has pretty much every hotel, hostel and guesthouse from every destination.

04. Get your onward ticket

If traveling on a one-way ticket, use BestOnwardTicket to get proof of onward ticket for just $12, valid for 48 hours.

05. Purchase your insurance

Purchase travel medical insurance for your trip from SafetyWing . Insurance from SafetyWing covers COVID-19 and also comes with a visa letter which you can use for your visas.

06. Get your zero-fee ATM card

You can manage money internationally in over 70 currencies using  Wise . With a Wise card, you can store and withdraw cash in 40 currencies with zero ATM fees. 

Need more? Check out my travel resources page  for the best websites to plan your trip.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER We are not affiliated with immigration, embassies or governments of any country. The content in this article is for educational and general informational purposes only, and shall not be understood or construed as, visa, immigration or legal advice. Your use of information provided in this article is solely at your own risk and you expressly agree not to rely upon any information contained in this article as a substitute for professional visa or immigration advice. Under no circumstance shall be held liable or responsible for any errors or omissions in this article or for any damage you may suffer in respect to any actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the information in this article. Please refer to our full disclaimer for further information.

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please refer to our full disclosure for further information.

RELATED POSTS

Can a US green card holder travel to UK without visa

Loading 78 Comments... Please Wait.

  • Cookie Policy
  • Copyright Notice
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Flight Itinerary
  • Hotel Reservation
  • Travel Insurance
  • Onward Ticket
  • Testimonials

Search this site

The Cut

How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

I ’ve read thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of cover letters in my career. If you’re thinking that sounds like really boring reading, you’re right. What I can tell you from enduring that experience is that most cover letters are terrible — and not only that, but squandered opportunities. When a cover letter is done well, it can significantly increase your chances of getting an interview, but the vast majority fail that test.

So let’s talk about how to do cover letters right.

First, understand the point of a cover letter.

The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just your résumé. Managers generally aren’t hiring based solely on your work history; your experience is crucial, yes, but they’re also looking for someone who will be easy to work with, shows good judgment, communicates well, possesses strong critical thinking skills and a drive to get things done, complements their current team, and all the other things you yourself probably want from your co-workers. It’s tough to learn much about those things from job history alone, and that’s where your cover letter comes in.

Because of that …

Whatever you do, don’t just summarize your résumé.

The No. 1 mistake people make with cover letters is that they simply use them to summarize their résumé. This makes no sense — hiring managers don’t need a summary of your résumé! It’s on the very next page! They’re about to see it as soon as they scroll down. And if you think about it, your entire application is only a few pages (in most cases, a one- or two-page résumé and a one-page cover letter) — why would you squander one of those pages by repeating the content of the others? And yet, probably 95 percent of the cover letters I see don’t add anything new beyond the résumé itself (and that’s a conservative estimate).

Instead, your cover letter should go beyond your work history to talk about things that make you especially well-suited for the job. For example, if you’re applying for an assistant job that requires being highly organized and you neurotically track your household finances in a detailed, color-coded spreadsheet, most hiring managers would love to know that because it says something about the kind of attention to detail you’d bring to the job. That’s not something you could put on your résumé, but it can go in your cover letter.

Or maybe your last boss told you that you were the most accurate data processor she’d ever seen, or came to rely on you as her go-to person whenever a lightning-fast rewrite was needed. Maybe your co-workers called you “the client whisperer” because of your skill in calming upset clients. Maybe you’re regularly sought out by more senior staff to help problem-solve, or you find immense satisfaction in bringing order to chaos. Those sorts of details illustrate what you bring to the job in a different way than your résumé does, and they belong in your cover letter.

If you’re still stumped, pretend you’re writing an email to a friend about why you’d be great at the job. You probably wouldn’t do that by stiffly reciting your work history, right? You’d talk about what you’re good at and how you’d approach the work. That’s what you want here.

You don’t need a creative opening line.

If you think you need to open the letter with something creative or catchy, I am here to tell you that you don’t. Just be simple and straightforward:

• “I’m writing to apply for your X position.”

• “I’d love to be considered for your X position.”

• “I’m interested in your X position because …”

• “I’m excited to apply for your X position.”

That’s it! Straightforward is fine — better, even, if the alternative is sounding like an aggressive salesperson.

Show, don’t tell.

A lot of cover letters assert that the person who wrote it would excel at the job or announce that the applicant is a skillful engineer or a great communicator or all sorts of other subjective superlatives. That’s wasted space — the hiring manager has no reason to believe it, and so many candidates claim those things about themselves that most managers ignore that sort of self-assessment entirely. So instead of simply declaring that you’re great at X (whatever X is), your letter should demonstrate that. And the way you do that is by describing accomplishments and experiences that illustrate it.

Here’s a concrete example taken from one extraordinarily effective cover-letter makeover that I saw. The candidate had originally written, “I offer exceptional attention to detail, highly developed communication skills, and a talent for managing complex projects with a demonstrated ability to prioritize and multitask.” That’s pretty boring and not especially convincing, right? (This is also exactly how most people’s cover letters read.)

In her revised version, she wrote this instead:

“In addition to being flexible and responsive, I’m also a fanatic for details — particularly when it comes to presentation. One of my recent projects involved coordinating a 200-page grant proposal: I proofed and edited the narratives provided by the division head, formatted spreadsheets, and generally made sure that every line was letter-perfect and that the entire finished product conformed to the specific guidelines of the RFP. (The result? A five-year, $1.5 million grant award.) I believe in applying this same level of attention to detail to tasks as visible as prepping the materials for a top-level meeting and as mundane as making sure the copier never runs out of paper.”

That second version is so much more compelling and interesting — and makes me believe that she really is great with details.

If there’s anything unusual or confusing about your candidacy, address it in the letter.

Your cover letter is your chance to provide context for things that otherwise might seem confusing or less than ideal to a hiring manager. For example, if you’re overqualified for the position but are excited about it anyway, or if you’re a bit underqualified but have reason to think you could excel at the job, address that up front. Or if your background is in a different field but you’re actively working to move into this one, say so, talk about why, and explain how your experience will translate. Or if you’re applying for a job across the country from where you live because you’re hoping to relocate to be closer to your family, let them know that.

If you don’t provide that kind of context, it’s too easy for a hiring manager to decide you’re the wrong fit or applying to everything you see or don’t understand the job description and put you in the “no” pile. A cover letter gives you a chance to say, “No, wait — here’s why this could be a good match.”

Keep the tone warm and conversational.

While there are some industries that prize formal-sounding cover letters — like law — in most fields, yours will stand out if it’s warm and conversational. Aim for the tone you’d use if you were writing to a co-worker whom you liked a lot but didn’t know especially well. It’s okay to show some personality or even use humor; as long as you don’t go overboard, your letter will be stronger for it.

Don’t use a form letter.

You don’t need to write every cover letter completely from scratch, but if you’re not customizing it to each job, you’re doing it wrong. Form letters tend to read like form letters, and they waste the chance to speak to the specifics of what this employer is looking for and what it will take to thrive in this particular job.

If you’re applying for a lot of similar jobs, of course you’ll end up reusing language from one letter to the next. But you shouldn’t have a single cover letter that you wrote once and then use every time you apply; whatever you send should sound like you wrote it with the nuances of this one job in mind.

A good litmus test is this: Could you imagine other applicants for this job sending in the same letter? If so, that’s a sign that you haven’t made it individualized enough to you and are probably leaning too heavily on reciting your work history.

No, you don’t need to hunt down the hiring manager’s name.

If you read much job-search advice, at some point you’ll come across the idea that you need to do Woodward and Bernstein–level research to hunt down the hiring manager’s name in order to open your letter with “Dear Matilda Jones.” You don’t need to do this; no reasonable hiring manager will care. If the name is easily available, by all means, feel free to use it, but otherwise “Dear Hiring Manager” is absolutely fine. Take the hour you just freed up and do something more enjoyable with it.

Keep it under one page.

If your cover letters are longer than a page, you’re writing too much, and you risk annoying hiring managers who are likely sifting through hundreds of applications and don’t have time to read lengthy tomes. On the other hand, if you only write one paragraph, it’s unlikely that you’re making a compelling case for yourself as a candidate — not impossible, but unlikely. For most people, something close to a page is about right.

Don’t agonize over the small details.

What matters most about your cover letter is its content. You should of course ensure that it’s well-written and thoroughly proofread, but many job seekers agonize over elements of the letter that really don’t matter. I get tons of  questions from job seekers  about whether they should attach their cover letter or put it in the body of the email (answer: No one cares, but attaching it makes it easier to share and will preserve your formatting), or what to name the file (again, no one really cares as long as it’s reasonably professional, but when people are dealing with hundreds of files named “resume,” it’s courteous to name it with your full name).

Approaching your cover letter like this can make a huge difference in your job search. It can be the thing that moves your application from the “maybe” pile (or even the “no” pile) to the “yes” pile. Of course, writing cover letters like this will take more time than sending out the same templated letter summarizing your résumé — but 10 personalized, compelling cover letters are likely to get you more  interview invitations  than 50 generic ones will.

  • ‘I Had a Great Job Interview — Why Haven’t I Heard Back?’
  • How to Answer ‘Tell Me About Yourself’ in a Job Interview

by The Cut; Photos: Getty Images

IMAGES

  1. Cover Letter Format: 6-Step Guide for 2021

    how to write a cover letter uk 2021

  2. How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job Application

    how to write a cover letter uk 2021

  3. Letter Format Cover Letter Examples 2021

    how to write a cover letter uk 2021

  4. cover letters in 2021

    how to write a cover letter uk 2021

  5. How to Write a Cover Letter in 2021

    how to write a cover letter uk 2021

  6. Job Application Cover Letter 2021 Best Photos Most Effective

    how to write a cover letter uk 2021

VIDEO

  1. How To Write A Disruptive Cover Letter 🤔😀👍💪😘

  2. How to write Cover Letter for MATES Visa Australia? #yourvisamate #youtube #australia #video

  3. How to write cover letter and CV

  4. Covering letter for CV

  5. How to write cover letter for canada refused visa

  6. How To Use AI To Write Cover Letter (Step-by-Step Guide)

COMMENTS

  1. How to write the perfect cover letter (With examples)

    1. Begin by introducing yourself To start your cover letter, introduce yourself. This means including your full name, your specific interest in the position and the reasons you've chosen to apply. If you got a referral to the job from another party, ensure to mention this in the first paragraph. 2. Mention your skills and qualifications

  2. How to Write a Cover Letter: Guides & Examples

    Use the job description How to market yourself in your cover letter How to structure and write your cover letter, with examples Use a 'cold' cover letter to approach a company you'd like to work for How to send your cover letter What is a cover letter and why is it still important?

  3. Cover letter examples and templates

    Body paragraph Closing paragraph Letter ending and signature The following cover letter samples and examples will show you how to write a cover letter for many employment circumstances. Browse cover letters by job title for inspiration. ( Get more cover letter tips and advice ).

  4. How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter

    Last Updated 13 August 2021 Guide Overview A Guide to Writing a Persuasive & Powerful Cover Letter Cover letters can seem daunting to write, but they're an integral part of the application process. Plus, they let you show your personality and further explain why you're the best fit for the job.

  5. Cover letters

    Careers advice Cover letters How to write a cover letter A cover letter introduces you to an employer and asks them to think about your application. It's a short letter, usually 3...

  6. How to write a cover letter in 5 steps

    2. Use an appropriate greeting. If you know the name of the hiring manager for this job, begin your cover letter by addressing them directly (Example: Dear Jane). When writing your CV, it's important to avoid weak and passive verbs, stay away from business jargon or clichés, and watch out for tired words and phrases.

  7. How to: Write a cover letter

    Aim for half a side of A4 (or one page maximum), and you'll be on the right track. Five things you need to stop doing on your cover letter How to address a cover letter Cover letters should be addressed to the person dealing with the application. Usually, this will be shown somewhere in the job advert - and if not, don't be afraid to find out.

  8. How to write a cover letter: 2024 writing guide

    First, enter your contact details: your name, address underneath, your phone number on the next line and your email on the next one. Align it with the edge of the page. Underneath that, enter the details of the company you're applying to - also one below the other, aligned to the page edge.

  9. Cover letters

    Register CVs and cover letters Cover letters Jemma Smith, Editor May, 2023 It's important to get your cover letter right. It's your one opportunity to sell your skills and experience to potential employers. Find out how to write and format a cover letter and take ideas and inspiration from our cover letter templates What is a cover letter?

  10. How to write a cover letter for a job application

    That is, if you've addressed the letter to a specific person (which is always best, remember), you'd sign off with 'Yours sincerely' followed by your name. If you couldn't find a specific name to address the letter to, it's 'Yours faithfully' at the end. A bit confusing, we know.

  11. How to Format a UK Cover Letter in 2024 (+ Example)

    How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter Recommendation Letter in the UK Reference Letter for a Job Guide Simple Cover Letter Guide What is a Cover Letter What to Include in a Cover Letter How to format a cover letter: example Michael Martin 3 Cambridge Road North Coker BA22 8AN [email protected] Greta Smith Headteacher Violet Primary School

  12. How to Structure a Cover Letter in the UK in 2024: Examples

    1. Cover letter header A 'standard business letter' is going to look different from country to country. Cover letters—being a type of business letter—are no exception. Cover letter structure can vary according to whose contact details go where, whether they're left- or right-aligned, or the salutation used, to name just a few.

  13. 14 of the Best Cover Letter Tips for Success in 2024

    Jacques Buffett, CPRW Career Expert Updated 26/01/2024 0 likes comments Create a cover letter now There are plenty of guides out there about how to write a good cover letter. But you don't just want good. There's plenty of 'good' candidates out there too. You want to be great.

  14. 36+ UK Cover Letter Examples for Job Applications in 2024

    1. Copy-and-paste cover letter sample Use this text copy-and-paste cover letter sample to begin writing your letter: YOUR NAME Phone: 07123-456-789 Email: [email protected] Address: Your Town, Postcode LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/your-name Today's Date Contact Person's Name Company Name Street Address Town Postcode 07321-654-987

  15. How to Start a Cover Letter: Opening & Introduction Examples

    Stats are your best friend—they allow your potential employer the kind of impact you can produce for them. 3. Show how you can help the employer. The third sentence of your cover letter opening should tell the prospective employer specifically what kind of result you can create for them. Here's how.

  16. Three excellent cover letter examples

    Yours sincerely. 3. Letter for creative jobs. We've used the example of a copywriter but you can adapt it for your profession. The aim of a creative letter is to be original and show you have ...

  17. Sample cover letter

    Your cover letter needs to be original and tailored to the job you're applying for. Avril Lee 115 My Street Mytown WX55 1CQ [email protected] 07777999888. Harry Smith Graduate HR director Big Company Ltd Woodcotes Business Park The Midlands MX9 6PQ. 5th May 2023. Dear Mr Smith.

  18. How to write a cover letter for 2021

    When the time comes for you to write a cover letter for your application, it can be very tricky. After all, it needs to expand on your key skills and suitability to the role. There's a lot of pressure. But, a great cover letter really can make the difference between landing an interview and not making the cut.

  19. How To Write A Flawless Cover Letter

    Think of your CV as the facts and stats of your application. Your cover letter is your chance to add the depth and showcase who you really are. Before we get stuck into the practicalities of writing a flawless cover letter, it's vital to understand what you are trying to achieve. The purpose of a cover letter

  20. How To Write a Cover Letter (With Examples and Tips)

    Updated July 14, 2023 While cover letters are not always required, many hiring managers still rely on them to gauge an applicant's skills, experience and background. The key to writing an effective cover letter is to clearly show how your professional experience fits the needs of the open role and the culture of the hiring company.

  21. How to Write a Cover Letter in 2024 + Examples

    Step #1 - Pick the Right Cover Letter Template Step #2 - Start the Cover Letter with a Header Step #3 - Greet the Hiring Manager Step #4 - Write an Attention-Grabbing Introduction Step #5 - Explain why you're the perfect person for the job Step #6 - Explain why you're a good fit for the company Step #7 - Wrap up with a call to action Step #8 - U...

  22. How To Format a Cover Letter (With Outline and Examples)

    Salutation / greeting Start your cover letter by addressing the hiring manager. If you can, find out the name of the hiring manager. Reread the job description to see if it's listed there or check the company website. Do not use "Mr.," "Mrs." or "Ms.," and instead use the hiring manager's first and last name.

  23. How to write a compelling cover letter for UK visa (that will impress

    Simple Short Clear Sections in the cover letter Section 1: Your previous UK visa refusals Previous UK Visa Refusal Section 2: Your travel purpose and itinerary Section 3: People traveling with you to the UK Section 4: Your current employment/business or university details Section 5: Your current financial situation

  24. How to Write a Cover Letter That Will Get You a Job

    So let's talk about how to do cover letters right., First, understand the point of a cover letter., The whole idea of a cover letter is that it can help the employer see you as more than just ...

  25. How to write an excellent office manager CV (with example)

    The process of creating your CV. 1. Choose a simple format. Related:How to create an effective CV layout. 2. Mention valid contact information. 3. Highlight your key management skills. leadership skills Related: How to write an office manager cover letter (with examples)

  26. How to write an effective photographer CV (with examples)

    Arranging lighting and setting for attractive photographs in a wide range of indoor and outdoor locations. Editing photographs to remove blemishes and imperfections. EducationPhotography and Design. Studied photography, composition and aesthetic theory. Subjects included people, landscapes and still life.

  27. How to write a design manager CV (with template)

    How to write a design manager CV. 1. Read job descriptions to see what employers want. Related: The ultimate guide to CV basics (with example) 2. Consider the best CV format for your experience and skill level. Chronological: Chronological CV formats put a strong focus on work experience as it places your work history at the top of the CV.

  28. How to write a marketing CV with no experience (and example)

    CV example for a marketer with no experience. Use this CV example to help you compose your marketer CV: Joshua Moore 07458467831 | [email protected] | London Professional Summary A recent marketing graduate from the University of London with over six months of experience volunteering for marketing projects from conception to completion.