Looking for a job in the UK and wondering how to write a cover letter that will get you noticed? In this post, we outline 7 easy steps plus top tips to a brilliant cover letter along with example cover letters to get you started.

An impressive CV is of course a help, but a good covering letter can quickly create an immediate favourable impression. It highlight the essential skills, experience and personal qualities that you bring and can make the difference when it comes to selection for interview.

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a concise document consisting of three or more paragraphs and is designed to summarise and support your CV or application.

While your CV provides a detailed account of your work history, educational background, specific skills, qualifications and experiences, the cover letter offers a glimpse into your personality and suitability for the role you’re applying for.

With that in mind, each cover letter should be customised to the job you’re applying for. If you’re just starting your career and job hunting, mastering the art of writing a cover letter is a vital skill that will benefit you for many years to come.

How Long Should a Cover Letter Be – How Many Words?

A cover letter needs to be succinct; ideally aim for circa 250 to no more than 400 words.

Also aim for about 3 to 7 paragraphs.

However of course these can vary, but you must keep it as concise and clear as possible. Think about the reader and make it easy for them to get a full picture of you in just seconds. It should address any potential questions or gaps that an employer might identify upon reviewing the application and above all it must show that you are right for the post.

Is a Cover Letter Still Necessary?

The short answer is that it varies.

For many jobs such as the Civil Service in the UK, a cover letter is not required. Instead they ask for personal or supporting statements.

However, many employers will still ask for both your CV or application form plus a cover letter. If requested there really is no excuse, you must submit one to be in contention for the post.

It’s a safe bet that potential employers are only going to take applicants seriously if a cover letter is included, especially if they explicitly ask for one. This is why we think it is worth learning how to craft the perfect cover letter, and why we’ve included some insider tips and tricks.

What Recruiters Actually Look For in a Good Cover Letter

In simple terms, recruiters want to see you!

They want to learn more about you which is not easy to see on the application form or CV.

With this in mind, your cover letter must be personalised. Avoid the temptation of using some general template or example from a site or AI generator. Sure, use the format but make it personal to you and make sure it shows who you are and what you can do for the employer.

7 Steps to a Brilliant Cover Letter That Gets Jobs

Follow our expert advice for writing your brilliant cover letter that gets you into the interview room and wins the job you want.

1. Use The Correct Formatting

• Lay out your letter with your address and contact details in the top right corner of the page.
• Address to the individual recruiting for the job along with his or her title for example “Dear Mr Smith” or “Dear Ms Jones”. It is definitely worth finding out who would be dealing with your application, either by checking online or by telephoning to ask. If you have not succeeded in discovering the name of the recruiting manager then opt for “Dear Sir/Madam”.
• Draft your letter so that it reads in a logical manner, is intelligent and concise, consisting of an introductory paragraph and then 2 or 3 subsequent paragraphs detailing your experience and skills, what you will bring to this employer and finally the objective of your application.

2. Tailor Your Header

If you’re applying via an online platform, avoid repetitive information like your address (since you’ve probably already provided that).

However, if your cover letter is being sent as via email, most employers prefer to receive it in the body of the email and not as an attachment. It is a good idea though to do both and cover your bases.

Include your contact details, including your email address (even if you are sending it via email because it is much easier to copy an email address from an email body or document than it is to do so from the sender field).

3. Start With a Powerful Opening Paragraph

The opening sentence can be the most difficult, but it best to come straight to the point, for example:

“I am writing to you regarding the (job title) position as advertised on your website (ref 45433667) and attach my CV for your attention.”

If you have a genuine interest in the company’s brand or have previously used its products or services, you can state your passion in the opening line of your cover letter.

Employers appreciate sincere (don’t over-sweeten it, as that looks forced) enthusiasm as it often leads to highly driven and accomplished employees.

For instance…

… Is better than

And while that is not inherently bad, it does seem insincere.

4. Use Strong Specific Statements That Grab Attention

Avoid being generic and instead aim for specific: Rather than making broad statements like “My skills would be a great fit,” share concrete examples.

For instance:

This is better and more powerful and would certainly keep the recruiter reading:

Generic terms can be off-putting and seem unimaginative, so remember that this is your opportunity to shine and sell yourself.

5. Relate Your Experience to The Needs of The Company

State again your interest in the company and the position you are applying for, while highlighting how your skills and experience relate to the position and the company as a whole.

• Outline your experience and academic qualifications highlighting only those regarded as essential to the role.
• Mention recent employments and key achievements especially those which show that you are capable and committed to a role such as the one being recruited.
• Specifically detail any unique experience which will put you ahead of other candidates, for example, the ability to speak another language, specialised computer expertise, or the fact that you delivered a major project.

If you are not certain what their goals or needs are, a quick internet search should reveal the information that you need. Referring to their future plans is a good idea too and shows that you have thought about your own future as part of their organisation.

6. Be Clear About Why They Should Hire You

This is where you really sell yourself by mentioning the skills and strengths you bring which exactly match the Job Description. You should avoid just repeating what’s in your CV, but rather expand on your qualifications and experience, and show how well suited you are to this job. Explain why you have a genuine interest in the work offered and outline how you match the requirements of the role.

7. Finish With Enthusiasm

The last paragraph could make all the difference

Finish your letter on a positive and enthusiastic note, stating that you are keen to come along for an interview at the employer’s convenience. Mention also when you can start work especially if the employer is looking for someone to start soon.

You should also include some kind of thanks for taking the time to read your application, and it could provide you with a competitive edge in the selection process.

Consider something along the lines of the following:

And of course, finish with “Yours Sincerely” and sign the letter personally.

Presentation can be the key to success when applying for a job and first impressions count for a lot. Your covering letter and CV will precede you, and they need to be clear, concise, and intelligent. Spending time on your cover letter can reap rewards and quickly bring in those desired interview invites.

Crafting the perfect cover letter for UK employers is not so difficult after all, when you think about it. Just take your time, and don’t forget to check your spelling and grammar; especially if the role you’re applying for expects correctness.

Example Cover Letter For Recent Law Graduate

Dear Mr Smith,

I am writing to express my interest in the Trainee Associate position with your firm as advertised on LinkedIn. With a recent degree in law from the London School of Economics (LSE), I am confident that my academic background, along with my key achievements and career goals, make me a strong candidate for this role.

I would like to highlight three areas of experience which showcase my suitability for the post.

• During my studies, I developed a strong foundation in legal principles, specialising in corporate law, commercial litigation and human rights. My coursework honed my ability to analyse complex legal issues, draft precise legal documents, and conduct thorough legal research. Additionally, my participation while volunteering with the London Legal Support Trust enhanced my advocacy skills and strengthened my ability to work under pressure.
• I also gained practical experience through my recent 3 month internship at Freshfields, where I assisted in case preparation, drafted contracts, and liaised with clients. This experience reinforced my ability to work in a fast-paced legal environment while ensuring meticulous attention to detail and adherence to strict deadlines. I also developed strong interpersonal skills through client interactions, demonstrating empathy and professionalism in sensitive legal matters.
• During my time in college, I had the opportunity to lead a team of six fellow students on a project involving Street Law where we developed an initiative to provide legal education presentations in schools and community groups in South East London. Through this work I gained valuable skills in managing people, in motivating and in collaborating to achieve set goals.  This experience has taught me the importance of effective communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills – all of which are essential in this Trainee Associate post.

Furthermore, I have had the opportunity to have several papers published during my college years including in the City Law Journal and in the Kings Student Law Review. This experience has taught me how to conduct thorough research, analyse data, and present findings in a clear and concise manner.

I am a highly motivated individual with a strong work ethic, excellent research skills, and a commitment to continuous learning. I am eager to bring my dedication and enthusiasm to your team and contribute positively to your firm’s success.

I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and passion align with the needs of your firm. Please find my CV attached for your review. Thank you for considering my application—I am excited about the work that your firm is doing in the field of Human Rights and I would be delighted to join your team and contribute to its continued success.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]

Finally, Our Top Tips For The Perfect Cover Letter

Remember that creating a compelling cover letter isn’t as daunting as it seems. Here are our top tips to help you write the perfect cover letter that is successful and persuasive.

• Your cover letter should be neatly set out and written on plain paper, preferably of a light colour so that the text stands out well. Expensive, flashy coloured paper is to be avoided as it only distracts from the content.
• Make it easy to read, with short sentences, and factual content that is to the point. Try to avoid vagueness or waffle, and use everyday language without clichés and without sounding too pompous or formal.
• Keep it to a single page – an overly long cover letter simply loses impact. and could suggest woolly thinking and discourage a potential employer from wanting to know more about you. One side of an A4 sheet is about right.
• Your writing should be fluent and positive, with answers to some of the questions an employer might pose, such as “What makes you think you would be good at this job?” Show understanding of what the job entails, be convincing that you are really interested in the work, whether it might be sales, finance, insurance, or whatever, and not just looking for any job that you can get.
• Competition is fierce for employment, and qualifications alone are not enough. An employer wants to see drive, ability, and a desire to succeed.
• Show how your skills are relevant to the job and demonstrate that you have a range of experience. Show that you are able to work within a team where necessary, or think for yourself and that you are flexible and creative.
• You should try to find the name of the right person to write to rather than send an impersonal letter to “The Manager” or “The Director”. Independent research has demonstrated the value of an approach to a correctly named person within an organisation, in getting attention and being able to go to the next step of being offered an interview.
• State when you would be able to start work, whilst being as flexible as possible.
• If your letter is sent by email as an attachment, you need to make this clear in the body of the message so that your email doesn’t get overlooked or just goes into a spam folder. Although emails are quick to deliver, and part of modern life, they can get lost in the system more easily perhaps than a written letter on paper, sitting on the desk.
• It is imperative that you check and check again your grammar and spelling, before sending off your letter. Spelling checks need to be contextual, as spellcheckers cannot necessarily pick up a word that is inappropriate in its context, such as “form” instead of “from”, for example.

A cover letter is arguably even more important than your CV, since it is likely to be read first. It can be the deciding factor as to whether a prospective employer moves on to look at the rest of your application and consider you for interview.

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• Cover letters, personal and suitability statements created for you in minutes
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About the Author | Joe McDermott

Joe McDermott is CEO of Anson Reed the UK's leading interview coaching specialists and founder of the successful InterviewGold online interview training system. Since 2006, Joe and his team of top interview coaches have helped thousands of clients win jobs and in this blog they offer their expert advice - all to make sure you get your top post.