Be sure you use the proper cover letter format to make your cover letter readable and professional.
Copy-and-Paste Graduate Cover Letter Template (Text Format)
(Your Address)
(Today’s Date)
(Contact Person’s Name)
(Company Name)
(Company Address)
Dear (Mr/Ms/Mx) (Contact Person’s Name),
I’m excited to apply for the Entry-Level Software Engineer position at (Company Name). As a recent graduate of the University of Sheffield with a BSc (Hons) in Computer Science, coupled with hands-on experience from my internship at Steel City Software, I’m eager to bring my technical skills and enthusiasm for problem-solving to your team.
At Steel City Software, I developed an iOS app using Swift to help renters find properties across the UK, collaborated with team members to refine debugging processes, and enhanced interface functionality using Java and Python. This contributed to an 8% reduction in user complaints, demonstrating my ability to deliver impactful solutions. My academic foundation further complements these experiences, with coursework and projects honing my proficiency in programming languages such as C++, JavaScript, and Python.
Beyond technical expertise, my interpersonal and collaborative skills have been sharpened through volunteering with Age UK, where I guided clients in developing computer literacy, and as a cashier at Aldi, where I effectively balanced customer service with operational responsibilities.
Your company’s commitment to (specific company mission or project, e.g., “driving innovation in software solutions”) resonates strongly with my aspirations. I’m particularly inspired by (specific detail from the company), and I am eager to contribute to achieving such impactful goals.
I’d welcome the opportunity to further discuss how my skills and experiences align with your requirements. Thank you for considering my application, and I look forward to the possibility of contributing to (Company Name)’s success.
Yours sincerely,
Your Name
How to write a graduate cover letter
Before you begin writing, make sure you know how to write a cover letter in a way that makes you seem like the best candidate for the job.
Your graduate cover letter is your first opportunity to make a lasting impression on potential employers. It’s not just about summarising your graduate CV — it’s about showcasing your personality, skills, and enthusiasm for the role.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to write a cover letter that sets you apart and helps you land your dream job.
1. Emphasise your career goals as a graduate
A strong cover letter begins with a clear and focused introduction, and I like how the applicant’s career goal is explicitly tied to the role and the organisation.
By expressing their alignment early on, the applicant communicates a sense of purpose and intent.
Hiring managers appreciate candidates who demonstrate clarity in their professional trajectory, as it positions them as goal-oriented people who are likely to contribute meaningfully in the long term.
Additionally, I like that the candidate avoided generic statements in their cover letter; for example, the career goal was carefully tailored to the specific role, making it clear that the candidate’s aspirations matched the employer’s priorities.
In subsequent paragraphs, this theme is reinforced subtly by referencing specific achievements or skills that supported their stated goal. This ensures the letter maintains its focus while highlighting relevant qualifications.
2. Show enthusiasm for the vacancy
Another critical decision was conveying enthusiasm for the role and the company.
The opening paragraph of this cover letter immediately conveys genuine excitement. You can do that by referencing a notable company achievement you’ve heard about, such as its recent expansion into a new market or its innovative products.
The opening shows the focus of the candidate’s research and interest, making the letter feel personal rather than generic.
You could also include a phrase like, ‘I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to contribute to your recent initiatives in…’, linking this excitement directly to your expertise or experience.
This approach not only captures attention but also shows the hiring manager that you’ve gone beyond surface-level knowledge of the company.
The tone is carefully balanced—professional yet engaging. Enthusiasm is an essential quality, but it should not come across as excessive or insincere so ensure the language conveys confidence and genuine interest while reinforcing how your skills align with the role.
3. Highlight your knowledge, skills, and abilities
To make the cover letter truly impactful, the candidate describes their unique specialisations and achievements.
Rather than listing job responsibilities, I like that they highlighted specific accomplishments tied to the job requirements.
For example, if the position requires expertise in project management, you could detail how you successfully led a high-stakes project that resulted in measurable outcomes such as increased revenue or efficiency.
Metrics are also an effective way to add credibility to these achievements. Numbers such as ‘achieved a 20% increase in productivity’ or ‘managed budgets exceeding £500,000’ are concrete and persuasive, helping the candidate who wrote this letter to stand out among applicants.
Additionally, I appreciate that they incorporate industry-specific keywords to ensure the letter resonates with both applicant tracking systems (ATS) and human readers alike.
4. Use professional cover letter formatting
A well-formatted cover letter enhances readability and creates a polished impression.
This candidate adhered to a clean and professional structure, ensuring the layout was visually appealing and easy to follow.
The letter begins with a professional header, including personal contact information, followed by the employer’s details. This is complemented by a logical paragraph organisation: an engaging introduction, a detailed body outlining relevant qualifications and achievements, and a strong conclusion with a call to action.
Where necessary, use bullet points to break up text and draw attention to key accomplishments.
This is especially useful when you’ve got multiple achievements or metrics to showcase. By using concise bullet points, you make sure the content is digestible while maintaining the overall professionalism of the letter.
Font choice and spacing should also be optimised to enhance readability. For instance, I avoid overly decorative cover letter fonts, sticking to clean and traditional options such as Arial or Times New Roman.
Consistent spacing between sections helps create a balanced, organised appearance. The result is a document that communicates professionalism before the hiring manager even begins reading the content.
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