How to write a Cover Letter

Formatting is a very important part of the cover letter process, although the actual rules governing how such a document should look tends to vary depending on what side of the Atlantic you’re on.

Therefore, for our UK reader, we would recommend that all cover letters follow the format shown below. It’s a traditional format that has been in use for years and contains a few differences to the US format:

• A return address is included and aligned to the right hand side of the page
• The date is included in Day/Month/Year format
• A comma is used after the recipients name
• If a subject is used, it tends to be centred and typed in bold

Your contact name
Company Name
Your contact address 1
Your contact address 2
City
Post Code

Dear Mr Jones,

Paragraph 1 should be used to introduce yourself and explain why you’re writing. It should be short and succinct while being entertaining enough to hook the reader and convince them to carry on reading.

Paragraph 2 should expand on what you’ve just mentioned. If you’re applying for a job now is the time to show the research you’ve done and start talking about any relevant experience that you have and why you think you’d be perfect for the role. This should be done in an enthusiastic yet professional manner.

Paragraph 3 is optional but is useful for clarifying exactly what you believe you can bring to a particular organisation. If you’re going to do this though, make sure you can back up what you’re saying with specific examples from your CV.

Final Paragraph is used to thank your reader for his/her time and attempt to encourage them to take action by leaving your email address/phone number of even informing them, that you will be following up this letter with a phone call of your own.

Yours sincerely,

*Sign your name in ink*

(Print your name here)