How to Write a Cover Letter That Gets Interviews

A cover letter lets you introduce yourself to an employer and explain why you are a great fit for the role. This short letter tells your career story and provides a background for your CV.

The key is knowing what employers expect and how to present your experience clearly. Read this guide to learn how to write a cover letter step by step, with UK-specific advice, examples, and practical tips to help you create a cover letter that gets interviews.

This guide will show you:

• What is a cover letter, and why do you need one.
• How to make a cover letter that gets you invited for a job interview.
• Examples of perfectly-written cover letters as well as mistakes you must avoid.

Writing a good cover letter is easier when you don’t have to figure everything out alone.

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What is a cover letter – and do you still need one in the UK?

A cover letter is a formal, one-page document you can send alongside your CV to introduce yourself and show your fit for the position. It complements your CV and explains why you're suitable, showing your understanding of the company and revealing your personality and motivation. 

In a competitive labour market, knowing how to attract an employer’s attention is essential, and writing a cover letter can help you do that effectively. In fact, 83% of recruiters claim that a cover letter is an important part of every application process. Better not to risk it!

When should you include a cover letter

Here are some situations when writing a cover letter is an absolute must:

• The job advert explicitly asks for one
• You’re switching careers
• You need to explain something unusual (e.g., a gap in work)
• The role is competitive or senior

If the job advert doesn’t ask for a cover letter or presents it as optional, sending one can help you stand out. It’s a chance to bridge your experience and the job requirements in human terms.

💡 Pro Tip: Ensure your cover letter matches your CV to create a strong first impression of someone who pays great attention to detail.

What to write in a cover letter?

Always include your contact details, a professional salutation, an introduction, information on why you are qualified for the job, a proper closing, and a complimentary close. 

The easiest way to remember all that? Just follow the outline below:

📝 What should a cover letter include?

• Your contact info
• Company’s info
• Dear Hiring Manager Name
• Paragraph #1: introduction + a great job-fitting achievement
• Paragraph #2: your key skills + the reason you’re the perfect fit for the job
• Paragraph #3: your passion + why you want the job you’re applying for 
• Paragraph #4: your call to action 
• Best regards + your name + your title
• P.S. to add value

How to write a cover letter in 6 steps

Here’s how to write a cover letter for the UK job market and beyond in 6 easy steps:

1. Use the right format for your cover letter

Before a recruiter reads a single word, they notice the structure of the cover letter. Take care of the layout at the beginning, as adjusting its elements will help you maintain the proper length.

📝 How to format a cover letter?

• Select a cover letter template matching a CV you’ve written, or create one from scratch.
• Set a one-inch margin on all sides of your cover letter.
• Use 1–1.5 spacing throughout your document, as well as a double space between paragraphs to boost readability.
• Align the letter contents to the left, except for your own contact info, which should be placed on the right.
• Select a good cover letter font sized at 11–12 points. Arial, Cambria, and Helvetica are some safe ones you can choose.
• Don’t exceed 3–5 paragraphs. That’s a bit over half of a page, or 250–400 words.

Why this matters:

Recruiters often review applications quickly. A clean, familiar format reduces friction and keeps the focus on your message – not the layout.

💡 Pro Tip: Lying on a cover letter is like lying on a CV. Sooner or later, your superior will figure it out and trust me: nothing good will come from it.

2. Prepare the details you must include in the header

Begin your cover letter with a header. It’s the first thing the hiring manager notices, so get those details right. A cover letter header should match the CV header.

📌 Here’s what to include in a proper cover letter header:

• Your details
  • Full name
  • Phone number and professional email
  • Town/city and postcode
  • (Optional) Job title or professional label
• Employer’s details
  • Hiring manager’s name
  • Their job title
  • Company name
• Date
  • Use UK format (e.g. 14 April 2026)

Why this works:
Consistent headers make your application look polished and easy to process. Plus, people respond well to seeing their names, so use that to your advantage.

💡 Pro Tip: To find the name of the recipient of your cover letter, Google the company and look for a hiring manager position, or visit LinkedIn and check who works at the company. You can also contact the office directly and ask the receptionist for a hint.

3. Grab attention with an impressive introduction

Recruiters spend an average of 7 seconds looking at a CV. We can safely assume they spend even less time on a cover letter. Therefore, you must make a strong start. The opening will determine whether the recruiter continues reading.

📝 How to write a great cover letter’s opening paragraph:

• Avoidvague and cliché statements. Instead, grab the reader’s attention with a tailored introduction. 
• Begin with a personal greeting to engage with the reader right from the start. Try to include the information about the company you're applying to.
• Show your excitement. Write passionately and enthusiastically. This is the perfect moment to prove that you are interested in this specific company. 

➡️ Ask yourself these questions: 

• Am I passionate about the company? Start with how their brand is the reason you’re applying.
• Do I have a passion for the role? Begin with how your professional or personal passion is the basis for why this job is for you.
• Do I have an accomplishment that really stands out? Demonstrate that your achievements are exactly what the company is looking for.

💡 Pro Tip: Ensure that each cover letter is personalised by mentioning specific details about the company and the role. It shows that you've done your homework, and expressing genuine interest can boost your application's appeal.

4. Demonstrate that you’re the perfect fit

After your introduction, the main paragraphs follow. Show why you're the best candidate. Writing a cover letter is about showing, not telling. Focus on 2–3 key requirements from the job description and connect them to your experience.

📝 Use this simple structure:

• What you did
• How you did it
• Why it’s relevant here

How to write a cover letter: example

Why this works:
It shows relevance without stuffing it with buzzwords, plus, it features the language recruiters expect.

💡 Pro Tip: If you can, add numbers that prove value. That’s solid proof that your achievements had an impact. You can also name 2–3 key skills. Focus on the top keywords from the job requirements.

5. Explain why you want to join this specific company

You’ve explained why you’re a good fit. Now, focus on why this company suits you. A good cover letter isn’t just flattery; it shows you genuinely want to work there, as employees who enjoy their job tend to stay longer. 

📝 How to write a covering letter’s third paragraph?

• Make it personal. Reiterate that you want this specific job and not just any other job. 
• Refer to the company and the issues it's facing. Visit their social media and website to stay up-to-date on what’s happening within their company. 
• Include some relevant names. Maybe the CEO has recently given an interview, participated in a discussion panel, or posted something interesting on LinkedIn.

💡 Pro Tip: When visiting the company’s website and social media, gather as much information as possible. It will come in handy in your upcoming interview!

6. Conclude your cover letter flawlessly

It’s time for a cover letter ending. Your closing should be confident, polite, and forward-looking.

📝 How to create a cover letter ending:

• Express your excitement about this opportunity. Suggest meeting in person to discuss how your experience can help the company. 
• Compliment them. Dropping something nice at the end of your cover letter is a way to be remembered as a friendly person.
• Schedule an interview. Convince them that both sides can win something by meeting face-to-face.

📝 How to write a cover letter sign-off?

• Use ‘Yours sincerely’ if you know the addressee’s name, e.g., Dear Mr. Sergeant.
• Use ‘Yours faithfully’ if you don’t, e.g., Dear Marketing Team Manager.
• Do NOT use informal sign-offs.
• Sign by hand if you’re handing a printed copy of your cover letter. If you’re feeling particularly creative, feel free to add a digital signature for a bit of personal charm.

💡 Pro Tip: If you want to highlight one extra achievement, consideradding a short postscript at the very end of your cover letter. Mention one impressive accomplishment, hint at how it could add value in this role, and invite the recruiter to learn more in an interview. It will drawthe eye and give them one more reason to remember you. 

Common cover letter writing mistakes to avoid

Recruiters see countless applications, and there are some mistakes they simply don’t forgive. Avoid these common pitfalls that UK employers cite as deal-breakers:

Sending a generic cover letter

Recruiters can spot generic cover letters immediately. If it looks like it could be sent to any company, it usually is.

✅Do this instead:

Tailor at least three things every time:

• The opening line
• The skills or experience you highlight
• The reason you want this role
  

Even light tailoring signals genuine interest.

Repeating your CV word for word

A cover letter that simply restates your CV adds no value.

✅Do this instead:

Use your cover letter to explain:

• Why your experience matters for this job
• How your past roles prepared you for this role
• What connects your background to the employer’s needs

Think context, not copy-paste.

Focusing too much on what you want

Cover letters that talk mainly about personal goals can feel one-sided.

✅Do this instead:

Frame your experience around employer value. Show how your skills, achievements, or mindset can help the company achieve its goals, while still showing interest in growing with the role.

Using vague buzzwords and clichés

Phrases like hard-working team player or results-driven professional don’t prove anything.

✅Do this instead:

Replace claims with specific examples or outcomes. Specific beats impressive-sounding every time. Consider using the STAR method to present your achievements.

Ignoring the job description

Failing to reflect the job advert can hurt both ATS screening and human review.

✅Do this instead:

Mirror key terms and skills from the job description naturally (e.g., stakeholder management, Agile, data analysis). This shows alignment and makes your application easier to assess.

Making basic errors (names, typos, formatting)

Typos, wrong company names, or sloppy formatting suggest a lack of care.

✅Do this instead:

Before sending:

• Proofread carefully (reading aloud helps, or you can use a checker available in online cover letter builders)
• Double-check names and company details
• Save your file clearly (e.g., Alex_Smith_CoverLetter.pdf)

Small details matter more than you think.

Writing too much (or too little)

Very long cover letters often go unread. Very short ones can look rushed.

✅Do this instead:

Aim for 250–400 words across 3–5 short paragraphs. This keeps your letter focused, readable, and recruiter-friendly.

💡 Now that you know how to write a cover letter, let’s figure out another important aspect of your application process. Read more: How to Write a CV

Professional cover letter examples for various applicants

Below are three cover letter samples, written for different experience levels. Note how each letter follows the structure and tips outlined above, while showcasing the candidate’s unique background. Use these examples for inspiration on tone, content, and formatting when writing your cover letter.

Entry-level cover letter example

Create my cover letter

Mid-level cover letter example

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Senior-level cover letter example

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Plus, a great cover letter that matches your CV will give you an advantage over other candidates. You can write it in our cover letter builder here. Here's what it may look like:

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See more cover letter templates and start writing.

Key takeaway

Thank you for reading my guide on cover letter writing. Let’s do a quick recap of how to make a cover letter:

1. Create a cover letter header with contact info.
2. Address your cover letter to the hiring manager.
3. Introduce yourself and say why you want to work for this company.
4. Explain how they will benefit from your skills and knowledge.
5. Finish your cover letter by suggesting a meeting.
6. Write a professional sign-off.
7. Add an optional postscript to impress them.
8. Proofread your cover letter.

If you need more advice on how to make a cover letter, head over to our blog for more tips, or use the Zety cover letter builder, which will guide you through the entire writing process.

About Zety’s Editorial Process

Our editorial team has thoroughly reviewed this article to ensure it follows Zety’s editorial guidelines. Our dedication lies in sharing our expertise and providing you with actionable career advice that offers you real value. Every year, the quality of our content attracts 40 million readers to our site. But that’s not all – we conduct original research to gain a detailed understanding of the labour market. We take pride in being cited by top universities and leading media outlets in the UK and worldwide.

Sources

• Human Resources Online, "Are cover letters important? 83% of recruiters say yes"
• Dennis P. Carmody, Michael Lewis, "Brain Activation When Hearing One’s Own and Others’ Names"
• Mercy University, "Eye tracking study shows recruiters look at resumes for 7 seconds"
• National Careers Service, "The STAR method"
• CIPD, "Labour Market Outlook"