cv cover letter examples uk

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.

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Free cover letter template.

by Michael Cheary

Calling all jobseekers: your cover letter needs you…

Even if you know everything about the perfect cover letter, putting one together can seem like a stressful ordeal. Not only do you have to think about the contents, you also have to consider what structure and formatting will make it stand out.

We’ve already covered what a cover letter is and how to write a cover letter , but if you’re still feeling frustrated when it comes to formatting – here’s our cover letter template to help you get started:

Free Cover Letter Template

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Opening the letter

Once you’ve covered the letter writing basics (address, hiring manager’s name if you have it), the opening paragraph should be short and to the point.

Explain what job you’re applying for and where you found the vacancy.

Feel free to mention the website by name (e.g. ‘as advertised on reed.co.uk’) or, if someone referred you to the contact, mention their name in this section.

Example: I wish to apply for the role of IT Manager, currently being advertised on reed.co.uk. Please find enclosed my CV for your consideration.

How to overcome common cover letter problems

Second paragraph – Why are you suitable for the job?

Briefly describe your professional and academic qualifications that are relevant to the role and ensure you refer to some of the skills listed in the job description.

If you have no specific academic or vocational qualifications to cite, use your relevant experience to win merit.

And if you’re lacking in practical work experience? Use personal skills or attributes to show what makes you the perfect fit for the role.

Example: As you can see from my attached CV, I have over three years’ experience in the IT Industry, and I believe the knowledge and skills built up during this time make me the perfect candidate for the role.

Five things you need to stop doing on your cover letter

Third paragraph – What can you do for the company?

Use practical examples to emphasise what you can do for the company. These might be performance-based, and could include examples from previous positions, your current job or even from your academic career.

Always make sure your examples are as quantifiable and pertinent as possible. ‘Increased revenue by x%’, for instance, sounds a lot more impressive than simply stating you ‘Increased revenue’.

Other (role-specific) examples include ‘drove x% more traffic to the website during my time in employment’, ‘an increase in students grades by x’ and ‘achieved a first class distinction grade in my dissertation on x’.

Example: In my current role as Senior Marketing Executive at Software Company X Ltd, I have been responsible for increasing incoming client enquiries for our B2B product lines by 156% in under 12 months, which helped the business increase its revenue by 55% year-on-year.

Cover letter help

Fourth paragraph – Reiterate

Here’s where you reiterate your interest in the role and why you would be the right fit for the company.

Example: I am confident that I can bring this level of success with me to your company and help IT Company LTD build upon their reputation as one the UK’s fastest-growing software houses. With my previous experience and expertise, I believe I can hit the ground running and start actively contributing to the business as soon as possible.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further.

Closing the letter

Thank the employer for their time. 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. I look forward to meeting with you to discuss my application further.

Yours sincerely,

[Your name]

Final thoughts

Remember: this is a template, not a ready-made cover letter.

This means that it’ll only be effective if you actually put the work in. So before you get started – take some time to research the company and role, and think about how your skills and experience make you a good fit.

Then, do this for every single job you apply for. Because although you won’t have to completely rewrite your cover letter each time, making small changes that make it tailored to the job are essential.

Finally, your cover letter will always look different depending on your situation – whether you’ve just graduated , you’re coming back from a career break , you’re looking for part-time work , or anything else.

Take a look at our cover letter help & tips for specific pointers on how to write yours.

Still searching for your perfect position? View all available jobs now

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4 comments on “ Free cover letter template ”

thank you very much for this template.. it has really helped gather my skills and get the job of my dreams!!

Sorry, I beg to disagree. This is where the problem is for a lot of people these days, being able to put together a decent cover letter is just as important as how good your CV looks, if you bother to read these comments and related articles, YOU will see that they will help you if YOU APPLY your time and effort into presenting yourself appropriately. I myself am looking for a new job, and finding out what employers want to see on your CV or covering letter is worth the time and effort. Yes, it’s frustrating having to do all this, but none of us will get anywhere unless we make the effort.

This was extremely helpful. Reading through the article gave me better insight into how to present my cover letter and this would be very helpful from the perspective of the hiring company.

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Home » Cover Letter Examples

Good Cover Letter Examples for UK Jobs in 2023

A good cover letter highlights your skills and convinces employers to interview you. We provide six great cover letter examples below, each one written for different situations or industries.

A series of good cover letter examples for different situations in the UK

Writing a cover letter (also known as a job application letter or covering letter) is required when you apply for most jobs.

The cover letter examples below can give you ideas of how to write your own cover letter — no matter what sector of the economy you want to work in or your level of work experience.

Whether you need a situation-specific cover letter or just want to learn about cover letter formatting, we have the perfect examples for you.

Table of Contents

What to include in a cover letter

Here’s what to include in a good cover letter to make the best first impression:

Here’s a cover letter template you can use to learn how to write your cover letter professionally:

A good copy-and-paste cover letter example

Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Recruiting Manager’s Name],

Opening Paragraph (Introduction)

Your cover letter opening should contain a self introduction. Write about who you are, where your expertise lies, where you found the job posting, and why you want to apply for the job.

Body Paragraphs

Your cover letter’s second and third paragraphs (it’s up to you how many paragraphs to use) should respond directly to the job description. Describe how your previous job experiences, skills, and abilities will help you meet the company’s needs. To make that easier, you should include exact words and phrases from the job descriptions in your cover letter.

Research the company and find out what their current activities and goals are. Explain how you can help them achieve those goals.

Closing Paragraph

Your cover letter’s closing paragraph is the call-to-action portion of your cover letter. Inform the hiring manager that you’d love to go in for an interview. Provide your email address or other contact information. Thank them for spending their time reading your cover letter.

Yours sincerely,

Types of cover letters (6 examples)

Here are six common types of cover letters:

1. Standard cover letter example

This standard cover letter was written by a mid-level candidate applying for a business analyst position.

What makes this cover letter a good general example is that it uses a traditional cover letter format that you can easily follow no matter your industry. Within the first paragraph, the candidate:

The cover letter example

A generic cover letter example with a green header and a left-aligned body. Highlights in green, yellow, and orange point out features mentioned in the description of this cover letter example.

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What makes this cover letter good

This cover letter is formal , to-the-point, and full of details .

Within the first couple of paragraphs, the candidate summarises their interest in the position and explains how their experience makes them a great fit.

Then, they mention a specific need that the company has and explain how their experience fills that need . Pointing back to the job advert shows the employer they’re passionate about the position and have the skills they’re looking for.

To follow up, the candidate highlights some impressive accomplishments , all backed up with hard numbers. This cover letter makes it clear what the candidate is capable of as a professional.

Finally, the applicant ends with a polite call to action, urging the employer to contact them for an interview.

Although this cover letter was written by a business analyst, the tone and format work well in nearly any industry, making it a good example of a general cover letter.

2. Career change cover letter example

Changing careers is intimidating. However, a well-written cover letter is perfect at highlighting the transferable skills you have and makes the process less of a challenge while showing employers why they should consider you.

This cover letter for a career change demonstrates how to effectively apply for a job in a new field. It features three key elements that should be included in any cover letter for a career change :

An example of a career change cover letter that is topped in red trim and features sans-serif font choices. Green, orange, and yellow highlights pick of elements of this cover letter example that are referenced on the webpage.

This cover letter works well because it’s honest and direct . The candidate starts by explaining their passion for social media and why they want to apply that passion to a professional role.

Additionally, they state that they’re suited for a career in social media management without any negativity about their current career in accounting. Most employers value candidates with a positive attitude, so never complain about your current job (even if you really don’t like it) in a career change cover letter.

Finally, the candidate proves their commitment to their desired career path by mentioning that they’ve completed an independent study programme to help them develop relevant skills.

The independence shows the employer that the candidate is self-motivated and has already put in the time and effort to build a successful career in social media, even without having studied social media.

3. Short cover letter example

With so many applicants to evaluate, a lengthy, waffling cover letter can lose the attention of HR managers.

A short but effective cover letter packed full of information about your experience is the perfect way to get (and keep) their attention.

The following concise cover letter example was written by a professional driver with four years of experience. In just six short sentences, they clearly communicate their experience and qualifications.

This cover letter may be short, but it contains a lot of valuable information.

In the opening, the candidate summarises their work experience and notes they’re familiar with the company they’re writing to, which indicates their interest in the sector.

Then, the candidate wastes no time highlighting some of their most impressive accomplishments as a driver.

Finally, they request an interview and list their contact information.

Ultimately, this candidate includes everything needed in a cover letter while maintaining a digestible length .

4. Speculative cover letter example

Writing a speculative cover letter is a great way to formally ask about job opportunities at companies you’d love to work for but that aren’t currently advertising open positions.

Done well, a speculative cover letter shows employers you’re willing to do anything to build a career at their company — a level of motivation they’re not used to seeing while hiring.

This speculative cover letter example was written by a recent university graduate looking to start a career with a popular recording studio. From the start, they state what kind of role they’re looking for and showcase their relevant skills:

The letter starts off by highlighting that the candidate is passionate about working for Westerfeld Recording because they’re a fan of their music. The candidate then explains what kind of positions they’d be interested in taking (in this case, any and all).

Communicating your range of skills is essential when writing a speculative cover letter because you need to show your skill set is flexible enough that you could fit into any role.

5. Creative cover letter example

In some situations, writing a creative cover letter is an effective way to stand out from other applicants and leave a lasting impression on employers.

This humorous cover letter example was written by an experienced candidate applying for a role at a popular podcast.

Right from the introduction, their unconventional tone and humour grab the reader’s attention. Then, they outline their experience and qualifications.

This cover letter is effective because it balances professionalism with a personable tone.

Adding some personality to your cover letter is a great way to stand out from the competition and present yourself as likeable and creative. Additionally, it helps your application leave a lasting impression on the employer (just make sure it’s a positive one).

And although a creative flourish can be a nice addition to a cover letter, it’s also important to focus on its substance and to maintain professionalism. This cover letter effectively achieves both goals.

After a unique introduction, the candidate immediately provides a series of brief, impressive examples of their relevant skills and accomplishments to prove they have the necessary hard skills to handle the work .

This style of cover letter is only appropriate when applying to companies with a casual office culture. If you’re applying for work in a formal corporate environment, it’s best to keep your tone buttoned up so employers take your application seriously.

6. Email cover letter example

It’s much more common today to send cover letters by email rather than through Royal Mail.

One option to do just that is to attach your formal cover letter to your email cover letter as a PDF or Microsoft Word document.

Another option is to write your cover letter directly into the body of your email, which saves the recruiting manager having to redownload an attachment each time they refer to it.

An example of a cover letter used in the body of an email to apply for a job.

The writer of this email cover letter has written an effective document that makes life as easy for the recruiting manager as possible.

For a start, the writer uses a descriptive subject line with their name and the reason why they’re writing to help the recruiting manager organise their inbox.

They’ve also addressed their cover letter to a contact person by name, which reassures the recruiting manager that this email is important and not spam.

In terms of content, the writer describes their long experience and achievements, and shortlists a handful of their key skills .

They’ve also attached their CV so that all of the application documents requested by the company are immediately accessible.

Cover letter examples by industry

Looking for a cover letter sample for your industry? Here’s a list of cover letter examples for different roles. Simply click on the field you work in to see all of our cover letter examples:

Administration & office support

Business & professional services

Creative & design

Customer support & retail

Engineering & skilled trades

Engineering cover letter

Food & hospitality

Health & social care

IT & marketing

Marketing cover letter

News & media

Journalism cover letter

Frequently asked questions about cover letter examples

How do you build a cover letter.

You build a cover letter either by downloading a quality cover letter template online and filling it in by yourself or by using an AI-powered cover letter builder that asks you a few simple questions and lets you pick from pre-written, ready-formatted cover letter sentences.

Each method has its own advantages, but a cover letter builder is quicker — you can finish and download your cover letter within about 12 minutes.

How can cover letter examples help me?

Cover letter examples help you by providing you with a look at cover letters from your own industry.

You can quickly see what you should include in your own cover letter, check your cover letter format is correct, and get some inspiration for how to word your achievements.

What should be avoided in a cover letter?

Here’s what should be avoided in a cover letter:

Written by Samuel Johns, CPRW

Samuel Johns is a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) and career counsellor on the CV Genius team. He has helped countless job hunters craft high-quality CVs and... more

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Cover Letter

Frequently Asked Questions

How to write a Cover Letter – Guide with Examples

Not every job application requires a cover letter, but every job application can benefit from one.

Along with a customised CV , which should include a strong personal profile, the cover letter lets you add specific information that puts you right at the heart of the job you are applying for. That means it’s really important to get it right.

Writing a winning cover letter is a skill. If you’re unsure what to include, our guide will help you:

What is a cover letter and why is it still important?

How to research and plan your cover letter.

The basic format of a good cover letter

How long should a cover letter be?

A cover or covering letter is a brief, single-page document that accompanies your CV when you apply for a job.

Its purpose is to introduce yourself and to highlight your key skills, particularly those that are relevant to the job you are applying for. It’s your chance to showcase both your personality and suitability.

It’s important to remember that the cover letter is independent of your CV – in other words, it shouldn’t be just the same information presented differently. It needs to position you as the right person for the job by highlighting skills that you have that are essential for the role. For this reason, your cover letter should be tailored to every application.

Some recruiters will receive hundreds or even thousands of applications for a role, so your cover letter is your chance to stand out from the crowd and it’s an essential component of the application process.

Download our cover letter template

“Failing to plan is planning to fail” is a saying attributed to Benjamin Franklin, and it’s true. Planning is key to the success of any endeavour, and it’s certainly true for your cover letter and your CV .

These are the important things you should research before you begin writing your cover letter:

Building up a good body of information about both the company and its industry will help you tailor your cover letter for each company you apply to. It also shows your passion for the job and sector.

The basic format of a cover letter

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:

Brief, probably less than one side of A4 – 250-300 words maximum.

A cover letter is important but remember, it’s an accompaniment to your CV , not your actual CV.

Address the hiring manager or recruiter

Just like your CV, every cover letter you submit should be written to match the job role you are applying for, and it should be comprehensive and, if possible, personalised:

You should also avoid tired and clichéd buzzwords .

Use the job description to tailor your covering letter

This is possibly the most vital aspect of the cover letter. If you don’t take the opportunity to state that you have the necessary skills and experience, you may as well not bother!

Detail your skills and provide examples of how you have used them in the past to succeed in your own goals and those of the company you were working for. Mirror some of the phrases used in the job requirements list.

You will most likely need to use different skills and examples for each cover letter, as each job role will require different skills and abilities.

Market yourself in your cover letter

A bit like your Personal Profile, your cover letter is your chance to sell yourself to the people doing the hiring. There are several good ways to sell yourself, and having done your research, they should be easy to include:

How to structure and write a cover letter

These days it’s unusual for cover letters or CVs to be sent as physical copies, but digital correspondence should still be written in formal business language.

There are several ways to format a business letter, but these are the elements you must include:

Here’s how it might look:

[Date] [Your address line 1] [Address line 2] [Address line 3] [Your phone number and email] [Company name] [Company address line 1] [Company address line 2] Dear [Name or Sir or Madam ],

Cover letter paragraph 1: The introduction

The position you are interested in and why you are applying for it – a brief introductory passage that covers three things:

Something like:

“I am writing to apply for the role of [job title] in response to an advert I saw on [name of job site]. Please find my CV attached.”

Cover letter paragraph 2: The by-line

This paragraph should be all about you and detail the skills you possess that are relevant to the role, particularly those that have been identified in the job advert or description. Be careful not to reproduce your CV. Mirror phrases and skills that are mentioned in the job advert or description.

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Cover letter paragraph 3: Show your knowledge

This is where you can demonstrate the research that you did before applying. Show that you know what sector they operate in and what they do, and demonstrate why you wish to work there, how you could make a difference, and how you align with the company’s ideals, culture and core values.

In short: show that you’re the perfect candidate!

Cover letter paragraph 4: Conclusion

Your cover letter, the masterpiece that it now is, should end with a clear call to action. You want to secure an interview for this position, so mention that and let them know when you’re available for a callback or contact to arrange it. Don’t be demanding, just be confident and clear. If you plan to follow up with a phone call, then let them know. If you’re not comfortable doing this then end your letter with:

“I look forward to hearing from you.”

Thank them for taking the time to read your letter, and sign off with:

“Yours sincerely [ or faithfully if you don’t know their name ] , [Your Name]”

Use a covering letter as a speculative approach to a company you’d like to work for

Have you noticed a company that you’d really like to work for, but they’re not currently advertising any open positions? In this case, a ‘ cold-contact cover letter ‘ makes a great speculative application letter. Here’s what to include in that cover letter:

Remember, each speculative cover letter should be unique.

Send your cover letter

Because you are almost always going to be sending your cover letter online, we recommend that you attach it to your email in a .pdf format. This way, any computer will be able to view the file, and all your formatting will be preserved.

If you need to send your cover letter as the actual body text of your email, your approach will need to be slightly different. First, make sure you format the subject line of your email like so:

Application for [Job Title] – [Your Name]

If you were given a reference number, include that in the subject line as well. Once you’ve done that, it’s time to think about the layout of your letter. The paragraphs can be the same as an original cover letter, but you can remove the addresses, date and signature.

If you’re applying for a job via a job board, you can sometimes afford to scale down your cover letter to its key components.

Check out this example cover letter:

Hi [Name], I am interested in applying for the current vacancy you have for a [job title]. In my current role as [role title] with [company name], I am responsible for [insert relevant experience relating to job advert] but am currently looking to make a step up into a more challenging role with a reputable company who can offer career growth. I am currently on a notice period of [notice period] and can interview immediately. Kind regards, [Name] [Phone number] [Email]

By following these covering letter guidelines and examples you’ll be ahead of many other applicants applying for roles, and one step nearer to securing an interview.

Try to have fun with it – we wish you the best of luck!

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Examples of UK Cover Letters

Accompanying your CV, your cover letter can shape the way recruiters see your application. But if you’ve not written one in a while, or ever, it can be difficult knowing where to start. That’s where great cover letter examples can help.

Writing a cover letter with an example makes things a whole lot easier. It allows you to see how things are presented, structured, and worded. A good cover letter example will also provide inspiration for your own application in terms of what to include. Above all else, it provides a starting point, so you’re not left overwhelmed and frustrated.

At myPerfectCV, we have a selection of cover letter examples for job applications in a wide range of sectors. Marketing, customer service, engineering, finance – you name it, you’ll find an excellent cover letter example to guide your own letter, along with template cover letters to give you a starting point.

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Cover letter examples for top jobs, examples of cover letters for an experienced job application, best cover letter examples for career change, uk cover letter examples: benefits, tips when using our example cover letters, top faqs about cover letter examples, start writing a cover letter using our examples, cover letter example for customer service.

Customer service cover letter examples need to set candidates apart in a competitive sector. The candidate does so by highlighting a successful track record with references to boot.

Cover letter example for retail assistant

One of our cover letter examples for retail, this letter highlights key qualities like communication and results orientation alongside relevant skills such as stocking and sales.

Cover letter example for graduate

Graduate cover letter examples don’t come better than this clear, concise description of a candidate’s university background and how it has prepared them for the role of a trainee pharmacist.

Cover letter example for engineer

This engineering cover letter example uses a smart, simple layout to explain how the candidate fits the job requirements, including leadership skills, project management, and quality assurance.

Cover letter example for finance

A great example of a finance cover letter, which specific abilities in tax preparation, financial analysis, and payroll configuring for a role as an accountant.

Cover letter example for a teacher

The introduction to our teacher cover letter example is followed by a clear, concise summary of what they can offer to the school, from OFSTED success to SEN experience, backed by specific responsibilities.

Cover letter example for an admin assistant

Administrative cover letter examples aren’t always from those with job-specific experience. In this case, payment processing and customer service are emphasised from a previous role as a cashier.

Cover letter example for a recruitment consultant

Moving from HR to consulting, this cover letter example works to underline the key skills which are transferable between the two sectors, including employment law, recruitment processes, and organisational skills.

Cover letter example for marketing

Reflecting one of the most common career changes – student to intern – this cover letter example outlines how the candidate’s educational successes make them a good fit for a marketing role.

Make the right first impression

As the first thing recruiters see, your cover letter needs to look the part. Using our perfect cover letter examples, you can get a good idea of layout, structure, and design before starting your own CV. Base your own letter on our simple cover letter examples, or go for something bolder for a creative job application.

Customise your cover letter

Using our cover letter examples for job applications makes it easier to personalise your own letter. Cherry-pick your favourite features, let the example skills and experience inspire ideas about your own career, or even use an excellent cover letter example as a template .

A variety of roles and sectors

From architecture, accounting, and admin to law, sales, and fashion, our cover letter examples span a long list of UK sectors, roles, and experience levels. That provides better guidance for your own cover letter, with an example that’s more aligned with your own experience and skills.

Create a cohesive job application

If you’re looking for a letter template, cover letter examples are a great fit. But what about your CV? Our online builder allows you to match your CV to cover letter examples to impress UK recruiters with a cohesive job application.

Create my Cover Letter

Learn about the company and reflect their values

Get a second opinion from a friend or relative, take a break, re-read and add to your cover letter, compare with a professional cover letter example, how to write a cover letter example.

Writing a cover letter like our examples isn’t as hard as it looks. For starters, you can use the same structure and layout, and even cover the same talking points. Your cover letter should outline what role you’re applying for, why you’re applying, and what makes you suitable for the job. You should draw upon past experience, qualifications, and personal qualities or interests to demonstrate what you can offer in the given role.

How to start a cover letter

Our examples demonstrate several different ways to open your cover letter and address the recruiter. Firstly, you should include the job title and reference (if provided) above the first line of your letter. If you have a name for the recruiter or hiring manager, you should use this to open the letter. ‘Dear Sarah Green’ or ‘Dear Mrs Green’ are perfectly acceptable, for example. If no name is given, you can choose from addresses like ‘To Whom it May Concern’, ‘Dear Hiring Manager’, or ‘To the Directors at [Company Name]’.

How to end a cover letter

Examples of cover letters (UK) can also assist with the way you end your cover letter. There are two main parts to consider. Firstly, you’ll need a closing statement, which thanks the recruiter for their time and encourages a response, such as ‘Thank you for taking time to consider my application. I look forward to hearing from you.’ Next, there’s the sign off. If you have addressed the person by name, ‘Yours sincerely’ is the conventional way to end a cover letter. Alternatively, use ‘Yours faithfully’ if you don’t have a name for the recruiter or hiring manager.

What is a cover letter for a job?

Our UK cover letter examples have one thing in common – they are written to accompany a CV. That’s exactly what a cover letter is intended for. It was traditionally a physical cover on top of your CV. However, with CVs sent digitally, it still remains an important step – and a great way to link the skills , experience, and qualities in your CV to the specific job role you’re applying for.

How many words should a cover letter be?

Using our short cover letter examples as a guide, cover letters should always be concise and to-the-point. In terms of pages, it’s definitely best to stay comfortably within one page with three to four paragraphs covering all the main points. While there’s no hard-and-fast rule for the word count of your cover letter, the guidelines above will usually come to between 300 to 400 words.

How can I explain career gaps in my cover letter?

A good cover letter is a perfect way to explain any gaps on your CV that could otherwise put recruiters off. Be honest and positive, explain that you were taking time to reconsider your career or focus on what you learnt in your time away from work.

How can I sell my limited experience?

Everybody starts somewhere. Sell yourself by showcasing transferable skills gained during your education or through your hobbies, and emphasise a willingness to learn and adapt.

Should I write a cover letter for each role?

Yes! Writing a cover letter for each job application allows you to tailor your experience to fit each role. It will enable you to focus on specific requirements of the job and how your knowledge and skills are the perfect fit.

Build my Cover Letter

Ready to get started on your own cover letter? Whether you’re a recent graduate or experienced professional, myPerfectCV can make the process a breeze. Take a look at our employment cover letter examples, then use our tried-and-tested cover letter builder to create your own.

Simply enter a few details about your career and skills, the job you’re applying for, and the kind of letter you want to create, then our builder will generate a great cover letter just for you. You can customise it further or download it ready to send to recruiters.

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12 CV cover letter examples

A cover letter for your CV, or covering note is an introductory message that accompanies your CV when applying for a job.

The purpose of the cover letter is simple… Persuade the reader to open your CV.

Learn how to write a cover letter properly, and you will hugely increase your chances of getting responses and landing job interviews.

This guide, with 12 annotated cover letter examples will show you everything you need to know about creating a winning cover note.

Guide contents

CV templates

Anatomy of a cover letter for your CV

This annotated example of a cover letter shows you how you should structure your cover letters, and the type of information you should be including.

You should always write your CV in the body of your email (or j ob site messaging system) so that it can be read instantly. Never attach it as a separate document, or the recipient probably won’t open it.

Example CV cover letters

These 11 example CV cover letters from a range of industries should give you some good inspiration for creating your own cover letter

Admin CV cover letter

This cover letter is aimed at administrative roles , so it highlights the candidate’s abilities in efficiency, report writing and meeting deadlines, whilst demonstrating the types of environments they have worked in.

Learn how to write a cover letter step-by-step here.

Customer service CV cover letter

This customer service cover letter briefly explains the candidate’s length of experience in the field and highlights some of the more important customer service skills such as call handling, order taking and complaint resolution.

This gives the reader an excellent introduction to the candidate and should certainly encourage them to open the CV.

See our full customer service cover letter guide, sales assistant cover letter example and waiter/waitress cover letter example .

Finance CV cover letter

As a finance professional, it’s important to highlight your specialisms within finance, the types of companies you’ve worked for, and high level functions you’ve carried out within your cover letter. This will give the hiring manager a good overall feel of your abilities, and if it’s well tailored to the role, should provide them with enough info to excite them about your CV.

Quick tip: If you struggle with spelling and grammar, try our CV builder

Events CV cover letter

This events manager candidate has done a great job of summarising the type and size of events they manage, along with details of core skills such as leadership, project delivery and stakeholder management.

This certainly provides enough info to create a buzz around the CV attached and encourage the recipient to open it.

Executive assistant CV cover letter

This executive assistant CV cover letter provides a good high level intro to the candidate showing the reader key business support knowledge in areas such as admin, diary management and document management. It also shows that the candidate is confident supporting senior business figures.

Graduate CV cover letter

As a graduate , your cover letter will need to be a little longer than an experienced candidates, to compensate for your lack of experience and really sell yourself.

This candidate speaks in lots of detail about their education, qualifications, and extra-curricular work which relates to the roles they are applying for.

IT CV cover letter

As an IT candidate, it’s important not only to highlight your technical skills, but also show how you apply those skills in the workplace to translate real benefits for your employer.

This candidate gives a good overview of the candidates technical abilities and the types of projects they apply them to, along with results they achieve.

Marketing CV cover letter

This marketing cover letter provides readers with a summary of the candidate’s core marketing abilities such as media planning, brand awareness and cost reduction. It also explains the types of marketing campaigns and companies they have experience with – a great high-level intro.

More cover letters

Warehouse Operative cover letter – Training Contract cover letter – Cleaning Job cover letter – Nursery Assistant cover letter – Recruitment Consultant cover letter – Dental Nurse cover letter –

Chef cover letter – Editorial Assistant cover letter – Aircraft Mechanic cover letter – Biomedical Science cover letter – Cabin Crew cover letter – Finance Assistant cover letter – Hotel Receptionist cover letter – Asset Management cover letter – Assistant Psychologist cover letter – Beauty Therapist cover letter – Cafe Worker cover letter – HR Administrator cover letter – NQT cover letter – Quantity Surveyor cover letter

Project manager CV cover letter

A project manager’ s cover letter needs to quickly explain to recipients the types of projects they lead and the technical expertise they bring to the projects. It’s also important to describe level of experience, seniority and background.

See full project manager cover letter example + writing guide

Operations manager

This operations management CV provides a brief introduction to the types of operations the candidate manages and the firms they work for.

They also touch upon some core operations skills such as efficiency, logistics and ROI improvement.

Sales CV cover letter

As a sales candidate, this cover letter shows the types of business this person can generate and the size and scale of the impact they create by highlighting some sales results.

It also mentions some core sales skills like business development, presenting, working under pressure and closing deals.

Teacher cover letter

This teacher cover letter does a great job of introducing the candidate, and showing the recipient the key facts they will be looking for, such as; the age group they teach, subject specialisms, and the results they have achieved.

The cover letter is brief and gets to the point quickly, so that readers will instantly look to open the attached CV .

How to write your CV cover letter

Now that you’ve seem good examples of cover letters to accompany your CV (or resume if you are in the USA) this guide will show exactly how to write your own, and the content that needs to be included .

Send your CV cover letter in email format (when possible)

When applying for jobs online you usually have 2 choices…

1) Send a message via the job website’s messaging system

2) Send the recruiter an email directly

If you can find an email address for the recruiter, then I would always recommend sending an email directly because it gives you more control.

When you send a message through a job website, it will transfer into an email with basic formatting and an auto-generated headline , which will look like this when the recruiter receives it.

If you cannot find an email address for the recruiter on the job advert, then try searching LinkedIn or the company website to find the relevant contact.

You may not always be able to find an email address, but when you can – always send an email.

Make your subject line appealing

As you can see in the picture above, a bad subject line can kill your chances of actually having your email read in the first place.

Your subject line should stand out and give the recruiter a reason to open your email.

When recruiters look into their inbox, they are looking for one thing; a candidate who can do the job they are advertising – so give that to them in your subject line.

Your subject line should be a short summary of your experience that relates directly to the job you are applying for.

The following are good subject line examples;

KS2 Teacher with 5 years experience

Front End Web developer with HTML, HTML & JavaScript experience

Junior Graphic designer with 1st BA Hons Graphic Design

If your subject line shows that you have one or two of the most important requirements for the job, your email should get opened every time.

Address the recruiter by name

To get the relationship off on the right foot, you should try to address the recruiter by name if you can.

Often the recruiter’s details will appear on the job advert but sometimes you may have to check out the company website or do some digging around on LinkedIn.

If you really can’t find the name, then it’s not the end of the world – just start with a simple friendly opening like “ Hi ”

(If you applying to a more traditional organisation such as an academic post for a university, you may want to use something a bit more formal like “ Dear sir or madam ”)

Use a friendly yet professional tone

It’s important to sound professional when writing a cover letter but you also need to demonstrate your ability to communicate with other people and show some personality.

If your email is too casual and written in an over-familiar tone, then you will come across us un-professional.

But on the other hand, if your email is too formal and shows no signs of rapport building, you risk appearing as somebody who lacks social skills.

So when writing your cover letter, try to strike a nice balance of professionalism and friendliness.

Opening with a line such as “ hope you’re well ” is a nice way to breathe a bit of personality into your cover letter.

Ensure that your spelling and grammar is perfect throughout your cover letter because sloppy mistakes are a huge red flag for recruiters.

Keep it brief

Unless the job advert specifies otherwise; keep your cover letter short and sweet.

Recruiters and employers receive hundreds of job applications per week, so they don’t want to read a 2 page cover letter.

Depending on the role, around 2-4 sentences should be enough for the content of the cover letter.

You just need to write enough to persuade them to open your CV – It should roughly contain the same amount of information as your CV profile or personal statement.

Show how your skills match the job

To ensure that recruiters open your CV, you simply need to explain how your skills and experience match the job requirements from the advert.

Scan the job advert to discover what the most important candidate abilities are, and show how your previous experience has prepared you to cover these.

In particular, look out for any requirements that are essential to the job .

Focus on what you have to offer at this stage and not what you want.

At this stage, your covering letter is simply a means of getting the recruiter to open your CV, so it’s too early to talk about salary demands etc. Save that for your initial conversation with the recruiter.

Include a professional signature

Round off your cover letter with a friendly salutation such as “Regards” and a smart signature which includes your name and most direct contact method (usually mobile phone for most people)

A professional email signature will show recruiters that you understand business-email etiquette and ensure they have a means of contacting you – even if they can’t open your CV for any reason.

Writing a CV cover letter

Hopefully this guide has given you everything you need to create a winning cover letter that will ensure you CV gets opened every time you send it.

Just remember to keep it brief, be friendly, tailor it towards your target role, and give recruiters some good reasons to be interested in you.

Good luck with the job hunt!

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