A cover letter is an opportunity for you to talk about your skills and strengths, drawing on elements of the job description and person specification. They give you the chance to explain to an employer why you're the best candidate for the job and your motivation for applying. Download our example cover letter from Handshake to see how you write a letter to match the job advert.
How to structure your cover letter
- First paragraph - Your opening statement should explain why you're writing the letter. State the job you are applying for, where you saw the job advertised and the date you are able to start.
- Second paragraph - Here you should mention relevant experience and explain how your skills meet the requirements of the job description and person specification. You can use the STAR method to help you do this. Also include any additional strengths you have and how these can benefit the company.
- Third paragraph - Explain why you are suitable for the job and you interest in this type of work. You can also talk about why you are specifically interested in working for this organisation and what you can offer. Your research will be valuable here, you may want to show how your values align with those of the company, make sure to take the opportunity to demonstrate your research about them.
- Last paragraph - Here you bring your letter to a close, reiterate your interest in the role and demonstrate your desire for an interview, you can also include any dates that you are not available.
Things to consider
- Be careful not to repeat what you have already covered in your CV, take this opportunity to provide different information.
- Wherever possible address your letter to the person who will be reading it, take some time to find a specific contact.
- As with a CV, it is essential that you tailor your cover letter to the organisation/role you are applying for, do not send generic cover letters.
- Use the same font and font size as your CV.
- You can access excellent CV and cover letter resources on the Prospects website and also the National Careers Service website.