What Is a Cover Letter?

To find a new job, you’ll need a well-written cover letter. But what is a cover letter, and how do you write one?

Below we explain the meaning of a cover letter, what you should include in one, and answer other FAQs so you can impress employers and start making money.

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What is a cover letter?

A cover letter is a formal job document you send to a potential employer along with your CV, or summary of your skills and experience.

Typically, a cover letter is one page long and provides employers with relevant information about your qualifications, skills, and experience that’ll convince them to ring you for an interview and even hire you.

Example cover letter

If you want to see what a cover letter is supposed to look like, here’s a cover letter example that a retail manager applicant wrote:

Download Free Cover Letter Example

What is the meaning of a cover letter?

A cover letter’s purpose is to introduce yourself formally to a company and explain why you’re a good fit for the job you want.

Your cover letter is a prime opportunity to:

• showcase your personality, communication abilities, and enthusiasm for the job
• provide more information about your qualifications and experience beyond what’s on your CV
• convince the employer that you’re the best candidate for their job opening
• get an interview

What should a cover letter include?

Not sure what to write in a cover letter? Here are six sections you should include:

1. Your contact details

The top section of your cover letter (also known as the cover letter header) is the first thing a potential employer will see. To write an effective cover letter header, list these contact details:

• Name: Include your first and last name in a bigger or bolder font so employers can easily see who you are.
• Phone number: Use your mobile number so employers can reach you wherever you are.
• Email address: Make a professional email address that lists your name (e.g., tannerthomas@gmail.com) so employers can easily find your email in their inboxes.
• Social media profiles: You can add optional links to your LinkedIn profile, online portfolio (for creative roles), or blog (for writers or editors) if they relate to the role you want.

2. The contact person’s information and name

Personalising your cover letter with the name and title of the appropriate contact person demonstrates your interest in the company and helps you make a good first impression.

To find this information, you can:

• look up the company’s website
• check LinkedIn
• do a Google search

The standard way to address an employer in a cover letter is:

Dear [Mr/Ms] [Last Name],

If you’re unsure of their gender, you can use the gender-neutral courtesy title ‘Mx’, like so:

Dear Mx Rey,

Also, you can use alternative options if you still can’t find a specific person to address. Just ensure the title is professional and specific to the company you’re applying to.

Here are some alternative ways to address a contact person without a name:

Dear Sephora Store Manager,
Dear Harrods Marketing Team,
Dear Hiring Department,

3. An attention-grabbing opening paragraph

Start with an informative and concise first paragraph to capture an employer’s attention and convince them to read your entire cover letter.

Your cover letter’s opening paragraph should include key details such as:

• your professional background
• your education details
• the job title you’re applying for
• where you saw the job advert
• whether someone recommended you for the role

Including these details accurately demonstrates your qualifications and passion for the job. For instance, this candidate’s opening paragraph clearly mentions where they found the job advert and why they’re applying for the role:

4. One or two compelling body paragraphs

After writing your opening paragraph, the next step is to convince the employer why you’re their ideal applicant.

Use the second and third paragraphs (along with a bulleted list if necessary) to highlight your relevant experience, key skills, and education details that make you the most qualified person for the position.

Whenever possible, include the following information in your cover letter’s body paragraphs:

• Achievements: Highlight your accomplishments (such as receiving an excellent grade or completing a major project) to demonstrate your value.
• Awards: Mention any awards you received at school, uni, or work to showcase your achievements.
• Praise: If you received praise from employers for your work, use this opportunity to mention those moments.

Have a look at this body paragraph describing the applicant’s academic achievements and customer service abilities:

5. An effective closing paragraph

To successfully close your cover letter, include these final details:

• a sincere thank you for the employer’s time and consideration
• a clear request for an interview so you can discuss your application further
• your phone number and email address to make it easy for the employer to get in touch with you

These elements ensure that your cover letter ends on a positive and professional note.

Here’s an example of a polite cover letter closing paragraph:

6. A professional sign-off

After ending your cover letter, add a polite sign-off followed by your name so employers know you followed appropriate business letter–writing guidelines.

Your sign-off should follow these rules:

• If you addressed the reader by name, such as ‘Dear Ms. Williams,’ then use ‘Yours sincerely,’
• If you used a job title or a generic greeting like ‘Dear Sir or Madam,’ then use ‘Yours faithfully,’

Here’s an example of an appropriate cover letter sign-off:

Yours faithfully,

Tanner Thomas

Frequently asked questions about cover letters

Want some answers about cover letter writing best practices? Below are the answers to three commonly asked questions about cover letters:

1. How should you format a cover letter?
2. Can I use the same cover letter for multiple job applications?
3. What tone and language should I use in a cover letter?

1. How should you format a cover letter?

Here’s how you should format a cover letter:

• Cover letter font: Choose a widely used sans serif font for your cover letter like Arial or Tahoma. Set your font to 10.5 and 12 points so your cover letter is readable and looks professional.
• Line spacing: Set your line spacing to ‘1.0’ in your word processor to give your cover letter some white space and a visually appealing look.
• Margins: Make your margins between 1.25 cm and 2.5 cm around your page so your cover letter doesn’t look too crowded or spread out.
• Length: Typically, a cover letter is one page long (250–400 words), so ensure that it’s easy to read and accurately conveys your skills and experience.
• Bullet points: Use bullet points instead of full sentences in your skills section or work history whenever possible to highlight your qualifications and make them easier to read.

2. Can I use the same cover letter for multiple job applications?

While it may be tempting to use the same cover letter for multiple job applications, we recommend writing a personalised cover letter for each job you apply for.

Tailoring your cover letter demonstrates why you’re a good fit for that particular role and shows employers you put effort into researching their company and the position.

3. What tone and language should I use in a cover letter?

In the UK, the tone and language used in a cover letter should be professional and formal, but also engaging and personable to show you’re genuinely interested in the role.

Use concise language that highlights your skills and work history rather than overly complex or technical language or abbreviations that might confuse the person reading your letter.

Finally, use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation. You can catch mistakes by using Grammarly while you write and then proofreading after you finish.