Writing a Cover Letter

(Read time: 6 minutes, 29 seconds)

What is a Cover Letter?

When applying for jobs, companies may ask you to write a cover letter alongside your CV. This letter is an opportunity to showcase who you are, your personality and what you can bring to the role. Think of it as a sales pitch to the employer and your CV is the evidence to back it up.

Top Tips for Writing a Cover Letter

Length - The cover letter should be no longer than a single side of A4. If you go over, try to see what you’ve included that’s already in your CV or ask a friend or trusted adult to read it. This method is great cause it’s a fresh perspective on something you might have been staring at for hours! They may also spot some repetition or some spelling errors that you missed.

Stay Honest – There is never a need to lie on a job application or cover letter. If you get through to the interview, they may ask about it specifically and find out that you were lying.

Neat and Tidy – Ask yourself: Does it look pleasing to the eye? Would you read it if you were in the employers shoes? If it looks messy try our tips on formatting below.

How to Format / Layout the Letter

Here we’ll explain the format of a cover letter, how to lay it out on a page of A4 and what each part of the letter should explain. This is by no means a one-size fits all type of letter, but do try and include some, if not all, of our recommendations.

Format – Start by putting your name at the top of the letter followed by your address in the top right corner of the letter. Then add the companies address underneath your address on the left side of the document. This should include the date the letter was sent underneath. E.g

Your Name

You Address Line 1

Your Address Line 2

Your Postcode

Company Name

Company Address Line 1

Company Address Line 2

Company Postcode

Date Letter was Sent

Name – Always try to address the letter to the person who is handling the job vacancy. If this isn’t possible, you have two options. You could send an email ahead of the application, asking for clarification on what they require for the job application, they may get back to you with a specific name. Or use something formal, “Dear Sir/Madam” for example.

Introduction – This only needs to be one or two sentences long explaining the job your are applying and stating any accompanying documents to the letter. For example a CV, PVG-check etc.

Interest – Explain to them why you are interested in the role talking about why the role and/or company excites you.

Skills – Using the job description, outline some of the skills you have. Try using the same wording as the job description so they find it easy to spot. This is an opportunity to tick the boxes!

Gaps – If you have been out of employment for a short while, having a career change or this is your first job, now is the chance to explain it. You don’t need to go into too much detail but try and explain as clearly and decisively as possible.

Conclusion – End on a positive note. Explain how you look forward to hearing from them and that you hope to meet in an interview to discuss the role further. If they have already told you the date the next round will take place, make sure to add here any of the dates that you won’t be able to attend so you don’t have to keep going back and forth over a suitable date.

Sign-off - You should end the letter with ‘Yours Sincerely’, ‘Kind Regards’ or ‘Yours Faithfully’ followed by your name. If you need to provide further contact details and have additional space to do so, include a contact number and an email address. A little reminder here that your cover letter should be sent using an appropriate email address. Not sure what we’re talking about? Go to our blog here.

Let us know if this has helped you or if you have any further questions using the comments section below!