A cover letter introduces you to an employer before they even open your CV, and it's your chance to explain why you're the right fit for the role, in your own words rather than a list of facts. Work through this guide and you'll come away knowing exactly how to structure a cover letter, what to say in each section, and which mistakes to avoid before you hit send.
What Is a Cover Letter?
Write your cover letter as a short, personalised letter that accompanies your CV - never as a duplicate of it. Where a CV lists facts, a cover letter tells a story about why you want the role and what you'll actually bring to it.
Check whether the application explicitly requires one, since not every application does. Include a well-written cover letter even when it's optional, though, since doing so can genuinely set you apart from candidates who skip this step.
Use your cover letter to explain anything your CV alone can't - a career change, a gap in your work history, or specific reasons you're drawn to this particular company rather than any employer in the field.
How to Structure Your Cover Letter
Opening Paragraph
State the position you're applying for and where you saw it advertised in your very first sentence. Follow immediately with a brief explanation of why the role interests you specifically.
Middle Paragraph
Connect your skills and experience directly to the job requirements, point by point where possible. If the role needs strong communication skills, for example, describe a specific time you used them successfully and what the outcome was.
Closing Paragraph
Thank the employer for their time and state clearly that you look forward to discussing your application further. End with a professional sign-off rather than trailing off vaguely.
Tips for Writing a Strong Cover Letter
Address the letter to a specific named person whenever you can find one, rather than defaulting to "To Whom It May Concern." Doing the research to find that name alone signals genuine effort to the reader.
Keep the whole letter to one page. Match the tone of the company too - a creative agency may welcome a more relaxed, personable style, while a bank or government department typically expects more formal language throughout.
Open with a specific, concrete detail rather than a generic opening line. Mentioning a recent company project, achievement, or value that genuinely resonates with you immediately signals that you've done real research rather than sending a form letter.
Read your letter aloud before sending it. Awkward phrasing that looks fine on the page often becomes obvious the moment you hear it spoken.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Never simply repeat your CV word for word in your cover letter - use it instead to add context and personality that a bare list of facts can't convey.
Never send a generic letter to multiple employers without changing the company name and role details. This is one of the fastest ways to signal a lack of genuine interest, and recruiters notice it immediately.
Check for spelling errors with particular care around the company name and the hiring manager's name specifically, since small mistakes in these exact details suggest carelessness more than a typo anywhere else in the letter.
Cover Letter Checklist
- Addressed to a specific person where possible
- Mentions the exact job title and where you saw it advertised
- Connects your skills directly to the job requirements
- Stays to one page
- Matches the tone of the company
- Opens with a specific, researched detail rather than a generic line
- No spelling or grammar mistakes, especially in names
- Ends with a clear, professional closing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a cover letter always necessary?
Not always, but including one when it's optional can help you stand out from other applicants who skip it.
How long should a cover letter be?
One page is enough. Hiring managers rarely read longer letters in full.
Can I use the same cover letter for every job?
No. Tailor it to each company and role, since a generic, unchanged letter is easy for a recruiter to spot.
What if I don't know the hiring manager's name?
Use a professional greeting such as "Dear Hiring Manager" instead of a generic phrase like "To Whom It May Concern."
Should my cover letter repeat my CV?
No. Use it to add context and explain why you're a strong fit, rather than listing the same facts your CV already covers.
What tone should I use?
Match the company's culture - formal for corporate roles, more relaxed for creative industries.
Do I need a cover letter for an online application form?
If there's a space for a message or motivation, treat it exactly the same way as a full cover letter.
How should I open my cover letter?
With a specific, researched detail about the company or role, not a generic opening line - this immediately signals genuine interest.