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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 .
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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
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Cover letter format example Finally, here is a cover letter format example. Tara Treadwell +44 4555 5555 55 [email protected] January 23, 2018 Dear Recruitment Manager, I'm excited to be applying for the Web Developer position at [Company Name]. I've been programming websites and using CSS to create user-friendly experiences since I was in sixth form, so it's long been a passion ...
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.
Adjust the spacing to 1-1,5. Separate the paragraphs with a double space. Save your cover letter as a PDF unless noted otherwise. PDF file types protect your cover letter format. Here are the steps to structure each part of your cover letter the right way: 1. Start your business letter with a professional header.
Related: How to Write a Sales Cover Letter (With Examples) 2. The hiring manager's address and date. The next section of your cover letter contains the letter's date, followed by the hiring manager's contact information. Add a space after the date and before the name of the hiring manager. You can use this structure:
Following the standard UK business letter format, you should stick with a standard, formal salutation. 'Dear' + the first name of the person to whom you're writing is generally the best option. 'Dear' + the person's title and surname is another option, as is 'Dear' + the person's full name (avoid this if possible).
Every cover letter you write should be tailored to the specific job role or company you're applying for, but there is a basic format to follow for every cover letter: Paragraph one - The introduction. Paragraph two - The by-line. Paragraph three - Show your knowledge. Paragraph four - Conclusion.
Typically, three to five short paragraphs, cover letters should not exceed one A4 page. If sending electronically, put the text in the body of the email rather than as an attachment, to avoid it being detected by spam filters. Applications should always include a cover letter unless the job advert instructs you differently.
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.
Use single or 1.15 line spacing. Put a blank line after each section: contact information, salutation, each of the main paragraphs, and the complimentary closing. Finally, save your cover letter in the PDF format. The formatting of MS Word cover letters may get skewed depending on the device they get opened on.
Follow the recommended layout for a professional cover letter: Header: First include your name, address, phone number and email address. Add the date below. Recipient information: Add the recipient's name, position, company name and address aligned to the left.
Professional design. These CV cover letter templates match Zety's CV templates and give your documents a polished look. Highlight key achievements in bullet points, use colour and style to draw attention to what matters to employers. Writing a cover letter feels like doing homework assignments, but not with Zety—.
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 ...
When you're applying for a job, a cover letter lets you show a personal side and demonstrate why hiring you is a smart decision. Cover letters should be around three paragraphs long and include specific examples from your past experience that make you qualified for the position.A cover letter should include the following parts: Header ...
Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further. Closing the letter. Sign off your cover letter with 'Yours sincerely' (if you know the name of the hiring manager), or 'Yours faithfully' (if you don't), followed by your name.
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. STEP 2.
How to lay out a cover letter: Only use single or 1.15 line spacing. Leave spaces between each separate section of your cover letter, from the personal details to your greeting, body paragraphs and sign-off. Have page margins of one inch on all four sides of the page to create white space to frame your content.
1. Do use standard UK margins. Margins are the space around the sides of your cover letter. A standard UK cover letter uses 2.5 cm margins (that's 1 inch). Here's how to set that up in Microsoft Word and Google Docs: Microsoft Word. Click 'Layout' from the 'ribbon' bar at the top. Press on the 'Margins' click-down option. Select ...
It is also a good opportunity to indicate that you'd like to meet with the employer for an interview. Sign off your cover letter with 'Yours sincerely' (if you know the name of the hiring manager)/'Yours faithfully' (if you do not), and your name. Example: Thank you for your time and consideration.
The correct cover letter format is similar to a one-page formal letter. Its structure is simple, as a cover letter should consist of these sections: A header (with the applicant's and recruiter's contact information and date) An official salutation. An opening paragraph. One or two body paragraphs. A closing paragraph.
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to write a fresh cover letter for new job openings: 1. Consider the design elements. The purpose of your cover letter is to offer a concise overview of your CV, so keep it to a single page. Consider the design of your CV and use a similar look to keep your application on-brand.
Follow these guidelines: Make your cover letter single-spaced. Add a space between each section: contact information, salutation, opening paragraph, middle paragraph, closing paragraph and complimentary closing. (There's no need to indent any of your paragraphs.)
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.
Essentially, the simple format for a cover letter is this: an introduction + qualification + qualification + qualification + conclusion = a completed letter. A great way to open your letter is by establishing your interest in the company and giving a brief introduction to your recent experience. "Write an opening statement starting with the ...
Cover letter builder. Build an awesome cover letter, quick and easy. Wherever you are. Create cover letter. Cover letter templates. All cover letter templates. ... While the Europass CV can still be used, it is generally more advantageous to use a format that aligns with UK standards, especially for roles that require a detailed, customised CV.
A cover letter gives you the opportunity to expand on any information you included in your CV. Knowing how to properly highlight your qualifications gives you a better chance of impressing recruiters. Use these steps to create a cover letter for your next job application: 1. Include your name and contact information.
Body. The body of your cover letter is the most important part, where you'll cover your experience, skill set, and accomplishments. Be sure to clarify how they align with what the company is seeking in their next lorry and HGV driver. Conclusion. Summarise your qualifications for the role, reiterate your interest, and include a compelling ...
Utility worker cover letter example. To help you get a feel for what makes a strong cover letter, we've created an example for a fictional utility worker. Richard Smith. Birmingham, B1 1BL. 44 (0)1632 960513. [email protected] 16 May 2024 Mr. D Brown, Wavewords Care Home Dear Mr. Brown, I am writing to apply for the Utility Worker position at ...