How to Write a Cover Letter in the U.K. (2025)

Many thoughts come across your mind when you start writing a cover letter. “Do I really need it?”, “It’s going to be hard, so maybe I’ll just skip it.” Or, sometimes, you sit down, and your mind suddenly goes blank.

Luckily, it doesn’t have to be this way.

This guide will teach you how to write a cover letter for a job application. Not only that, I’ll help you go through the process of writing your cover letter quickly and easily. With our expert tips on how to write a good cover letter for a job, you’ll be able to illustrate your skills and wow the recruiters.

Use the LiveCareer cover letter builder and your cover letter will write itself. Choose a professional template, answer a few easy questions and the creator will generate a professional cover letter for you with just one click.

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Seeking more guidance on cover letter writing and job searching? These guides might help:

• Appointment Letter for a Job: How to Make One
• ChatGPT: How to Use It for Your Cover Letter
• Email Cover Letter: Detailed Guidelines
• Generic Cover Letter: Instructions & Examples
• How to Make an Application Letter: Samples & Tips
• How to Prepare a Covering Letter for The Job You Want
• How to Use an AI Cover Letter Maker in 2025
• Short Cover Letter: How to Write + Expert Examples
• What to Include in Your Cover Letter?
• Writing a Resignation Letter: a Full Guide

When to include a cover letter?

A cover letter is an essential part of your job application and should always accompany your CV unless explicitly stated otherwise by the employer. It provides a chance to introduce yourself, explain your interest in the position, and highlight how your skills and experience align with the job requirements.

If you’re applying online, your cover letter can be sent as part of the email body or uploaded as a separate document, depending on the application process. For paper applications, a printed cover letter should be included with your CV.

When learning how to write a great cover letter, focus on showing your enthusiasm and demonstrating that you’ve taken the time to learn about the company. To personalise your cover letter and make it stand out, research the company through various sources, such as:

• Their official website and mission statement
• Recent news articles or press releases
• Networking with employees or contacts who work there.

Now, let’s go through a step-by-step process of creating a cover letter documentso you know exactly how to prepare one in the UK:

1. Address and send the cover letter to the right person

Addressing your cover letter may seem an easy task, but if you don’t know who you’re writing to, your cover letter is as good as none at all.

Usually, here’s where you come across the first hurdle. It’s easy to find the data about the company, but what about the recruiter? If it’s not written in the job ad, I recommend you check the company’s LinkedIn page and website. You may even call the company and ask them yourself. That would surely show your determination.

How to write a cover letter—header sample

Mind you, starting a cover letter with the phrase: to whom it may concern, only shows your laziness. This isn’t what you want to show, is it? Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name], looks much better and sets you apart from other candidates instantly.

If your efforts at finding the addressee are futile, you should still not write your cover letter salutation as “to whom it may concern.” Dear Hiring Manager or, better yet, Dear IT/Marketing/Customer Service Team Manager are infinitely better options.

If pursuing a more traditional career, e.g. at a law firm or a university, go with their title (e.g., Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr.) and their last name to be on the safe side. Otherwise, using their first name is a great way to grab the reader’s attention.

If the recruiter is a woman, and you don’t know their marital status, start with Ms. It’s a neutral term that will help you avoid a potential misunderstanding.

And the last thing. Unlike a USA cover letter, UK cover letters require your full address. So don’t forget to add it when writing a cover letter in the UK.

A strong CV summary will convince the recruiter you’re the perfect candidate. Save time and choose a ready-made personal statement written by career experts and adjust it to your needs in the LiveCareer CV builder.

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2. Introduce yourself with a strong opening paragraph

Just like with a CV summary, you want to present yourself in great light in the very first paragraph of your cover letter. So, what to write in a cover letter opening?

How to write a cover letter in the UK—first paragraph example

The example offers a concise yet comprehensive framework for crafting an impactful cover letter. It's centred on a straightforward formula: introducing yourself effectively, articulating your unique value proposition, specifying the desired position with a personal touch by mentioning the company's name, and finally, explaining why you're the ideal candidate.

That’s all you need to tell your reader at this point.

Important things to note here—open up with one or two of your greatest achievements. It’s best to see the job description to determine what your employer would deem the most relevant. When writing your cover letter, display those achievements in the first paragraph. 

Remember to always refer to the company you’re applying to by name at least once. You don’t want to send a generic cover letter, but a personalised one.

3. Show the recruiter your great work achievements in the second paragraph

Next comes your professional experience and key skills. When described effectively, they can significantly boost your chances of securing an interview. The keys to writing this cover letter section are relevance and proof. Learning this rule by heart will help you in writing a perfect cover letter.

The example below shows you exactly how to write a cover letter that highlights your skills:

How to write a cover letter—second paragraph example

Why is this so effective? Every single thing is relevant to the job offer. This approach ensures that every aspect of your cover letter is directly relevant to the position you're applying for, underscoring your suitability for the role. Additionally, incorporating quantifiable metrics and statistics further reinforces the tangible impact of your skills and experiences.

But how to write a cover letter with no experience? You can still create a compelling second paragraph by focusing on transferable skills, educational achievements, internships, volunteering, or personal projects. The key is to draw connections between these experiences and the requirements of the job.

For example, if you’re applying for an administrative assistant role but don’t have prior work experience, highlight instances where you demonstrated organisational capabilities or other skills employers look for. Use examples from school, community activities, or personal initiatives to show your potential.

Last but not least, the second paragraph of a cover letter should be the longest. If you have a lot of relevant work achievements, you may even choose to separate it into two smaller paragraphs for readability.

You don’t have to be a CV writing expert. In the LiveCareer CV builder you’ll find ready-made content for every industry and position, which you can then add with a single click.

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4. Prove you’re a great fit and express your motivation

Your skills are of the utmost importance—but so is your personality. After all, you’ll be spending the better part of the week at work. So, when writing your cover letter, show the hiring manager you’re a great cultural fit and a wonderful person to collaborate with.

As you’re writing this section of your cover letter, focus on a few things. The important aspects are what you like about the company and how your personality and working style fit the company culture. Also, mention why you want to work for this particular employer and how you’ll benefit the company.

Look at the example below:

How to write a cover letter for a job—third paragraph example

This example shows all the previously mentioned points. The candidate showcases her drive and describes what she likes about the company she’s applying to. She shows the recruiter she’s a great fit for the company not just because of her experience but also her values.

But it’s not the end of your cover letter just yet. You still need to finish it professionally.

5. Finish your cover letter with a call to action

You’re writing the cover letter with one goal in mind—to convince the recruiter that you’re the best fit for the position. And so far, you did. But what if you get no callback?

When learning how to write a cover letter, it’s vital to put emphasis not just on the opening statement but also on the final lines. Try closing your cover letter with a line like that:

How to write a good cover letter—call to action

When writing your closing of a UK cover letter, make sure you propose how you’d like to meet and talk (e.g. a phone call, video chat, face-to-face meeting, lunch, etc.). Also, suggest a specific time to meet (e.g. this week, next week, etc.), or ask them to schedule a meeting. This makes your offer seem more urgent, and you, a more valuable employee.

Pick the recruiter’s curiosity by saying what you’d like to discuss (you can mention a specific issue if you know what the current challenges for the company are).

6. Sign your cover letter off professionally

When concluding your cover letter professionally, opt for formal sign-offs such as “Sincerely,” “Regards,” “Yours Truly,” or “Thank You.” In cases where you address the letter without knowing the recipient's name, “Yours Faithfully” is an appropriate choice.

Conversely, avoid informal sign-offs such as “Love,” “Cheers,” “Peace,” “Bye,” or “See You Soon,” as they detract from the professional tone of the correspondence.

Here’s what the ending of your cover letter should look like:

How to write a covering letter—sign-off

If you’re hand-writing a cover letter, leave a few extra spaces between the complimentary closing and your name. Then, add a handwritten signature for a stylish and professional flourish.

7. Add a postscript for extra impact

Word of clarification—This is not a must-have part of your cover letter. A Postscript is a completely optional thing. The whole idea behind the P.S. section is to include something relevant, but you had no option to write it in any part of your cover letter.

Usually, it’s an achievement of yours you weren’t able to fit in elsewhere, a comment on the company's recent success, or a fun fact about you that proves you’re a fit. If you don’t know what to put in the postscript, you most likely don’t need it at all.

And why does a Postscript work? Because it’s something that’s so rarely used, it instantly grabs attention. Here’s an example of what the P.S. section can look like:

How to make a cover letter—postscript example

8. Structure your cover letter right

Make sure your cover letter follows proper formatting rules. Knowing what makes a good cover letter layout is just as important as knowing how to write a cover letter for a job. 

Here’s how to best format your cover letter:

• Don’t justify. Left align all text for maximum legibility instead.
• Set 1.15 line spacing or single line space for all text.
• Use double space between each cover letter section and paragraph.
• Apply 1-inch margins on all sides of the cover letter.
• Choose a great cover letter font. Keep it consistent with your CV font to create a cohesive look.
• Keep your cover letter length at one A4 page. Unlike a CV, you can’t spill it onto another one.
• Pick a cover letter matching your CV template to give the employer one unified job application package.
• Unless otherwise instructed, send your cover letter as a PDF rather than a .doc file. PDFs formatting will stay intact regardless of the device used.

Extra tips on how to write an application letter

To craft a standout cover letter, you must pay attention to both content and presentation. These extra tips will help you refine your approach and increase your chances of success:

• Tailor each cover letter: Write a new cover letter for every job application, ensuring it’s targeted at the specific role. A generic letter won’t leave the same impact as one that reflects your genuine interest and understanding of the position.
• Check details carefully: Double-check that you’ve included the correct company name, the job title, and the recruiter’s details. Simple mistakes here can create a negative impression and suggest a lack of attention to detail.
• Use the right tone and language: Keep your language professional and formal, while aligning with the tone used by the employer in the job posting. Incorporating relevant keywords from the job advert will also show your understanding of the role.
• Highlight relevant skills and experience: Focus on the skills and experiences that are most applicable to the job. Clearly explain how these qualify you for the role and distinguish you from other applicants.
• Provide evidence: Support your claims with facts and examples. The STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is a great way to illustrate your achievements in a structured and compelling way.
• Proofread thoroughly: Before sending your cover letter, carefully check for spelling and grammatical errors. Even minor mistakes can detract from your professionalism.
• Keep a copy: Save a copy of your cover letter for future reference. The employer might bring it up during the interview, so it’s helpful to review what you’ve written beforehand.

I hope these additional tips boost your confidence in crafting a compelling cover letter that strengthens your candidacy for any position you pursue.

How to write a cover letter—example

A cover letter alone simply won’t be enough—you need an impactful CV, too. Create your CV in minutes. Just follow our wizard and fill in every CV section with ready-made content. Get started by choosing a professional CV template.

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Did you like our guide on how to write a cover letter in the UK? If you’ve got any additional questions on how to write a cover letter for a job, I’d be happy to answer them below in the comments. Thanks for reading!

How we review the content at LiveCareer

Our editorial team has reviewed this article for compliance with Livecareer’s editorial guidelines. It’s to ensure that our expert advice and recommendations are consistent across all our career guides and align with current CV and cover letter writing standards and trends. We’re trusted by over 10 million job seekers, supporting them on their way to finding their dream job. Each article is preceded by research and scrutiny to ensure our content responds to current market trends and demand.

Sources

• National Careers Service, Networking: tips to help your career
• National Careers Service, The STAR method