Unless recruiters request otherwise, a cover letter shouldn’t go over one page or be longer than 400 words. Employers read dozens of cover letters for each role they advertise, so keeping their attention by writing a high-quality cover letter is essential.
To help you craft a compelling short cover letter for employers in the UK, we provide a template, five short cover letter samples, and brief writing tips.
Short and basic cover letter template
Below is our short cover letter template for you to copy, paste, and customise with your own information:
Basic Cover Letter Template (Text Version)
Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Name],
With [# of Years] experience as a [Position title] in the [Industry Name] industry, as well as my [Adjective] work ethic and [Adjective] personality, I’d love to contribute my [Type of Skill #1] and [Type of Skill #2] skills to [Company Name].
My previous job experience included [Details of Experience #1] where I learned [Results of Experience] and helped my team [Achievements and Hard Numbers].
I [Details of Experience #2] also resulted in [Achievements and Hard Numbers]. With these experiences in mind, I think I’d be the perfect candidate for [Company Name].
I’d love to have an interview at your convenience. You can reach me anytime on [Your Phone Number] or [Your Email]. Thank you for reading my cover letter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Download This Basic Cover Letter Template
5 short cover letter examples
These five short cover letter samples have everything you need to captivate recruiters and get an interview:
Short cover letter sample #1
Short Cover Letter Sample 1 (Text Version)
Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Recipient’s Surname],
I saw your advertisement for the Royal London Tour Guide position in the London Evening Standard and immediately had to apply. Learning more about the Royal Family and the history of our nation has been my lifelong passion.
I have a BA in History and Politics from Queen’s University Belfast, which gives me extensive first-hand knowledge of all of the locations featured in the tour.
In my current position as a Customer Service Representative, I’ve been praised for my ability to handle the concerns of all callers and build a connection with them. While this would be my first foray into the world of professional Tour Guides, I’ve done unofficial tours for friends and family and I’m familiar with the guild’s guides and requirements.
I look forward to hearing from you soon. You can contact me on 07123 456 789.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Download This Short Cover Letter Sample
This short cover letter sample focuses on the applicant’s knowledge and skills because they don’t have any job-relevant work experience.
Specifically, they’re applying for a tour guide role, and thus highlight their passion for British culture, history degree, and familiarity with locations associated with this company’s tours.
Short cover letter sample #2
Short Cover Letter Sample 2 (Text Version)
Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Surname],
As an NHS Registered Nurse with 10 years of experience, I know I’ll be an excellent fit for your hospice.
I’ve provided extensive palliative care throughout my career, and have developed an empathic approach to helping patients deal with their pain, as well as attending to their emotional and physical needs.
I’m experienced in dealing with emergency medical situations, as well as helping friends and family of the patients with empathic support. All of these traits make me a great fit for the position.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you. You can contact me on 07123 456 789.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Download This Short Cover Letter Sample
This brief cover letter example highlights the experience of the applicant and their transferable skills, such as their talent for handling patients with care.
Short cover letter sample #3
Short Cover Letter Sample 3 (Text Version)
Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] Contact Person’s Surname],
RC vehicle models have been my passion for as long as I can remember and I was thrilled to see your advertisement. I’ve worked at Al’s Hobbies for three years as a sales representative and have gained extensive knowledge about model helicopters and planes.
I have a perfect record of attendance over my history as Al’s Hobbies, receiving praise for my diligence, reliability, and ability to connect with customers. I increased sales by 30% for specialised models over my stay with the company. I believe this makes me the perfect for your position.
Thank you for reviewing my application. You can reach me on 07123 456 789 or at [email protected]
Respectfully,
[Your Name]
Download This Short Cover Letter Sample
A perfect attendance record is an excellent point to showcase because it shows employers you’re a punctual and responsible worker. Including numbers also provides context for employers because they can see what you’ll bring to their organisation.
Short cover letter sample #4
Short Cover Letter Sample 4 (Text Version)
Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Surname],
I’m writing to apply for the chief sub-editor position you advertised on LinkedIn.
Here’s what makes me a perfect candidate for the role:
- Fully familiarised with the Guardian style guide
- 5+ years of experience as an assistant editor and 2 years as the deputy chief sub-editor
- Ability to edit 6,000+ words per day
- Experience working with tight deadlines
- Capable of working on rotation, including weekends
- Reduced incidence of typos by 17% through my attention to detail and organisational skills
In my role as a deputy chief sub-editor, I’m responsible for managing a team of 4, as well as sub-editing 2 days a week. I believe I’ll be a good fit for your position.
Thank you for reviewing my application. You can reach me on 07123 456 789 or via email at [email protected]
Warm Regards,
[Your Name]
Download This Short Cover Letter Sample
By using bullet points, the writer of this cover letter highlights their transferable skills while keeping their cover letter length manageable.
Short cover letter sample #5
Short Cover Letter Sample 5 (Text Version)
Dear [Mr/Ms/Mx] [Contact Person’s Surname],
Football coaching has been my life ever since I was an assistant coach in Secondary School.
I have five years of experience coaching kids for the London FA Football League, helping youngsters of all ages achieve their sports potential. Through my guidance, kids have gone from being beginners to expert dribblers. I’ve coached 5 youth league winning teams, so I believe I’d be an excellent fit for your Youth League coaching position.
I look forward to speaking with you about the position. You can contact me on 07212 234 230 or via email at [email protected]
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Download This Short Cover Letter Sample
This short cover letter example highlights the achievements that make the candidate a good fit for the position and what makes them passionate about it.
For instance, our applicant highlights their involvement in coaching five league- winning teams, and their experiences working as a coach since Secondary School.
How to write a short cover letter in the UK
Here are four tips to help you write a brief cover letter that still covers everything you need:
1. Use concise words rather than long phrases
A cover letter is not the place for wordiness. Limit your word use by only using the necessary words to communicate clearly. A helpful way to write more clearly is by replacing wordy phrases with single words or more concise phrases.
Examples of concise words
- Because
- If
- To
- About
- Although
- Some/Many
- During/While
- Except
Examples of wordy phrases
- Due to the fact that
- In the case that
- In order to
- Concerning the matter of
- Regardless of the fact that
- A number of
- In the process of
- With the exception
2. Mention your most relevant skills and experiences
Focus only on the skills and experience that are relevant to the position that you’re applying for.
Matching the keywords used in the job advert in your cover letter is vital because employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) with job-specific keywords to filter out cover letters.
So ensure you have the transferable skills employers are looking for by reading the job description carefully before writing your cover letter.
3. Format your cover letter efficiently
Using appropriate cover letter formatting helps you optimise the length of your cover letter
Easy-to-read fonts like Calibri and Times New Roman with a font size between 10.5 and 12 points work perfectly.
Additionally, single or 1.5 spacing give your paragraphs a neat and organized look.
You should also use the standard 2.5 cm margins for UK cover letters. If you still need more space, then try reducing your margins to 1.25 cm.
4. Proofread your cover letter
Reviewing your cover letter after it’s finished allows you to catch mistakes before you send it. Proofreading also lets you verify that you’ve included everything a cover letter needs. So, remove anything nonessential and focus on your relevant skills and experiences.
Short cover letter FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about writing short cover letters for UK employers:
How short should a cover letter from the UK be?
A cover letter from the UK should be short. Concise cover letters should never be longer than one page and only use between 250 and 400 words.
How do I create a short cover letter?
You can create a short cover letter by using an online cover letter builder or download a short cover letter template to save you time setting up your letter.
What do I include in a short cover letter?
Here’s what you include in a short cover letter:
Parts of a cover letter
- Contact information
- Salutation (also known as a greeting)
- 1–3 body paragraphs
- Closing
- Professional sign-off
If you’re unsure how to start a cover letter, a good starting point is showing your passion for the job by mentioning why you’re applying for this specific company or relating your interests with the company’s values or goals.
To end a cover letter effectively, demonstrate gratitude by thanking the employer for reading your application.
When should I not use a short cover letter?
You should not use a short cover letter when:
- the recruiter asks for a specific word count
- the job advert requires that you show your writing skills
- you want to cover relevant skills and experience that you only briefly mentioned in your CV
