How to write a cover letter (with an example)
Updated
A cover letter is a short letter — usually 250 to 400 words, under one page — that you send with your CV or resume to explain why you want this specific job and why you are a good fit. Address it to a named person if you can, open with the role and a strong reason you match it, give two or three pieces of evidence, show you know the employer, and close by asking for an interview.
The 5-part structure
- Header and greeting: your contact details, the date, and "Dear [Name],". Use "Dear Hiring Manager," only if you cannot find a name.
- Opening (2–3 sentences): the role you are applying for and your strongest match.
- Why you (1–2 paragraphs): two or three achievements linked to the job requirements.
- Why them (2–3 sentences): something specific about the organisation — a product, a value, a recent project.
- Close: availability, a call to action and a sign-off ("Yours sincerely" with a name, "Yours faithfully" if you used "Dear Sir or Madam" in UK English; "Sincerely" in US English).
How to start a cover letter
- "I'm applying for the Office Manager role at Harbour Dental because I've spent five years running a busy three-surgery practice and cut appointment no-shows by 25%."
- "Your advert asks for someone who can launch a CRM from scratch — that is exactly what I did at my current company last year."
- "A former colleague, Sam Patel, suggested I apply for the Junior Analyst position…" (only if they agreed to be mentioned).
Skip "I am writing to apply for…" on its own — it wastes your best line. Lead with the role plus a reason to keep reading.
Full cover letter example
Dear Ms Morgan,
I'm applying for the Customer Service Team Leader role at Northway Energy. In my current role at a 40-seat contact centre, I lead a team of eight advisers and have raised our first-contact resolution rate from 71% to 86% in 18 months.
Your advert mentions improving complaint handling and coaching new starters. I introduced a shared case log that cut repeat complaints by a third, and I designed a two-week onboarding plan now used for every new adviser. I'm also comfortable with the reporting side: I produce weekly performance dashboards for our operations manager.
I'm drawn to Northway because of your commitment to clear, fair billing, which I know from my own customers is what drives most complaints. I'd like to help your team turn that promise into consistently good conversations.
I'd welcome the chance to discuss how I could support your team. I'm available for an interview at short notice.
Yours sincerely,
Alex Taylor
07700 900123 · alex.taylor@email.com
Fictional example. Replace names, numbers and details with your own.
How to end a cover letter
- Restate your interest in one sentence.
- Make the next step easy: mention your availability for interview.
- Thank them briefly — one line is enough.
- Sign off with your full name and contact details.
Common mistakes
- Repeating your CV line by line instead of choosing the most relevant evidence.
- Sending the same letter to every employer.
- Getting the company name or job title wrong.
- Going over one page.
- Focusing on what you want from the job rather than what you will contribute.
Write yours
Make sure your letter matches your CV — see how to write a CV. You can create a matching letter in the cover letter builder.