
Student CV: Templates + 20 Examples for 2023
To get a job as a student with no experience, you just need a great student CV. Follow our expert advice, see our student CV templates read our student CV examples and get hired.
Getting your cover letter format right gives your job application an instant boost. Read this guide and learn how to create an expertly formatted cover letter recruiters will love.
Imagine assembling IKEA furniture without instructions. Instead of a matte white Riktig Ögla you’ve just got a useless pile of MDF, screws and one of those free allen key thingies.
The same can happen to your cover letter if you don’t know how to format it. Good formatting is the instruction manual that transforms your cover letter from a disorganised mess into a beautifully assembled job-winning masterpiece.
Keep reading and you’ll learn how to format a cover letter faster than you can say Ödmjuk.
Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 20+ professional cover letter templates that match your CV. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.
Sample Cover Letter for a CV—See more cover letter examples and create your cover letter here.
Want a complete guide to writing a cover letter? Read more: How to Write a Cover Letter—Step by Step Guide
Cover letter format is the appearance or presentation of your cover letter text. Cover letter formatting includes elements such as the font type and size, page margins, spacing, file type, the cover letter’s overall structure, how many paragraphs you should write and what each paragraph contains.
Getting this right is especially important because it’s a practical demonstration of your written communication skills. They consistently rank as one of the most valuable abilities for candidates to have, so you’ll already be ahead of the game.
Now without further ado, let’s see what a perfectly formatted cover letter should look like.
That’s an example of a perfectly formatted cover letter. Now you’ll learn how to do it yourself.
Here’s a section by section breakdown of how to format a cover letter.
Your cover letter header consists of:
This example shows you how to address a cover letter.
Seema Begum
17 Kings Ave
Manchester
M2 4NZ
28th January 2020
Shirley Jackson
Office Manager
Richardson & Co.
Manchester
M1 3AE
Salutation is just a posh word for the greeting section of your cover letter format. Stick to a simple ‘Dear Mr./Ms. Surname.’ Ideally, you should be able to target your greeting to a specific person. There’s strong evidence that reading your own name powerfully activates your brain, so use this trick to make the hiring manager sit up and pay attention.
If you don’t have a specific name, don’t fret, but avoid “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir/Madam.” These are both so old-fashioned they’re positively Victorian and generic to boot. Go for “Dear Hiring Manager” or even better, “Dear [Team Name] Manager” instead.
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Pro Tip: If you’re not sure of the recipient’s gender then write out their full name e.g., “Dear Alex Jones.”
This is the meat in the sandwich. It tells the hiring manager what skills and experience you have to offer and why you’re the best candidate. Arrange the body of your cover letter into the following paragraphs.
Introduce yourself and grab the reader’s attention in your. Here’s how to start a cover letter:
Example of How to Start a Cover Letter
Dear Ms Jackson,
As a longtime fan of Richardson’s company culture and products, I was excited to see the opening for an administrative assistant. At Royal Oak my attention to detail enabled me to identify invoicing errors that saved £2,00 in overpayments. I know I can use my skill set and knowledge to help achieve similar efficiencies at Richardson.
This section can consist of one or two paragraphs. This is where you show what you have to offer the employer and how they’d benefit from having you on their team. Think of it as a sales pitch for why you’re the perfect candidate for this job. Here’s how to do it:
Example of Cover Letter Middle
In my current position with Royal Oak, I’ve had many responsibilities and achievements that would serve me well in a role at Richardson. Royal Oak has a similar business structure and product lineup to that of Richardson, so I believe I would make a smooth and quick transition. On top of that, my invoice management and directory maintenance were leading performance boosters for the company. Some of my key achievements included:
In your cover letter ending, thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration and reiterate your interest in the role. Make sure you finish off with a call to action, a clear indication of interest in reaching the next stage.
Example of How to End a Cover Letter
Obtaining the administrative assistant position at Richardson would be my dream come true. I’ve long been a fan and personal user of several of your products and a great admirer of your company culture. It’s this fantastic reputation that makes me so eager to join your team. Thank you for considering my application and please do contact me on the telephone number above at your convenience so we can discuss further what I can contribute.
This is the section where you sign off your cover letter. Use “Yours Sincerely” if you know the hiring manager’s name, and “Yours Faithfully” if you don’t, followed by your full name. An electronic copy of your signature adds a professional touch, but if you’re sending off a paper copy then sign it by hand.
A cover letter for a CV is no different from a standard business letter, so it has to follow the same rules. Here they are:
Want to know how to write a job-winning CV to accompany your cover letter? Read more: How to Write a CV: Professional Example for the UK
The vast majority of cover letters are now sent electronically. If you’re sending it as an email attachment or uploading it to a company website then follow the cover letter formatting rules above. However, if you’re sending your letter in the body of an email then you should make a few changes to the format.
And that’s it. Now you know how to create a flawlessly formatted cover letter.
Getting your cover letter format right is the perfect way to show off your professionalism and written communication skills.
Here’s how to format your cover letter the right way:
Thanks for reading. If you’ve got any questions then fire away in the comments section below. I’d love to hear from you.
To get a job as a student with no experience, you just need a great student CV. Follow our expert advice, see our student CV templates read our student CV examples and get hired.
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