what is a cover letter for a job uk

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• Careers advice
• Cover letters

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How to write a cover letter.

A cover letter introduces you to an employer and asks them to think about your application. 

It’s a short letter, usually 3 to 5 paragraphs long.

When to include a cover letter

You should always include a cover letter when you apply for a job using a CV. 

You can write it as an email if you’re applying online or print a copy to go with a paper application.

When writing a cover letter, let the employer know you’re keen by showing that you’ve researched the company. Learn more about what they do through:

• their website
• recent news articles
• talking to people you know who work there

Send it to the right person

It's important to try to address your cover letter to someone by name. Check you have the details of the person you need to send it to. 

You'll need their name and preferred title. For example, ‘Dr’, ‘Mr’, ‘Mrs’, ‘Ms’, and their job title. You should also make sure you have the right company name and address, including postcode.

If you do not know their name

If the job advert does not include a name you can check the company website. Try to find details of the head of the department, head of human resources or a recruitment manager.

If you still cannot find a name, you can start your letter with ‘Dear Sir or Madam’.

Introduction

Introduce yourself and explain how you found the advertised job. You can mention the job title, and reference number if there is one. 

If you’re asking about any job openings and not applying to a vacancy, tell them what sort of job you’re looking for. Let the employer see how keen you are to work for them.

Show you're right for the job

Highlight the skills and experience you have that match what the employer is looking for. 

Convince them that you're enthusiastic about working for them. Let them know you share their work values, culture and style.

Give extra information

If you have gaps in your employment history, you could talk about the skills you gained while you were out of work.

If you’ve mentioned on your CV that you have a disability, you might want to talk more about this in your cover letter. Organisations like Disability UK can give you advice on how to do this. You do not have to mention your disability at this stage if you prefer not to.

You can get more help with specialist advice on finding work if you have a disability.

Ending your cover letter

Thank the employer for considering your application. Let them know that they can get more details from your CV, and tell them you're looking forward to hearing from them.

Let them know how they can best contact you. Make sure your contact details are correct on both your cover letter and CV.

Yours sincerely or yours faithfully

If you know the name of the person you’re writing to, you should end the letter with ‘Yours sincerely’.

If you’ve addressed the letter ‘Dear Sir or Madam’, you should end the letter with ‘Yours faithfully’.

Tips for writing a cover letter

When writing your cover letter, remember to:

• write a new one for every job you apply for and make sure it’s tailored to the company and the specific role
• use the same font and size as you do for your CV, so it looks consistent
• make sure the company name and recruiter’s details are correct
• use the right language and tone: keep it professional and match the keywords used by the employer in their job advert
• show you’ve done your research into the job and the company
• highlight your most relevant skills and experience to stand out from other applicants
• back up any statements you make with facts and use the STAR method
• double check spelling and grammar before you send it
• keep a copy of your cover letter as they may ask you about it in an interview

Related content

How to write a CV

Completing application forms

Interview tips

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Sample cover letter

Cover letters add context to your CV and when used correctly are a great way to convince employers that you're right for the job. This sample cover letter should help you get started

A cover letter demonstrates to recruiters how well you express yourself, so you need to make sure that you don't just repeat your CV or give rambling explanations. Instead, use this opportunity to focus on your skills and experience, saving your qualifications for your CV.

The basic cover letter structure covers:

• why you're writing the letter
• why you think you're suitable for the job (with examples)
• relevant skills and experience
• summary of your interest in the role.

Double check what you've written as spelling mistakes or lack of attention to detail will put your cover letter straight on the no pile.

Please be aware that this is an example. Use this cover letter template to help generate ideas and structure your own document but avoid copying and pasting. Your cover letter needs to be original and tailored to the job you're applying for.

Avril Lee 115 My Street Mytown WX55 1CQ [email protected] 07777999888

Harry Smith Graduate HR director Big Company Ltd Woodcotes Business Park The Midlands MX9 6PQ

5th May 2023

Dear Mr Smith

Re: Logistics graduate scheme

I would like to apply for the logistics track of your graduate training scheme, advertised on the Prospects.ac.uk website. As requested, I am enclosing my CV.

I am in the final year of my geography degree, expecting a 2:1. Always intending to have a career in business, I have taken modules on the geography of business and GIS modelling. My final-year dissertation is on changing patterns in retail. During my degree, I have developed my analytical skills and ability to read, manage and present data. I have also become familiar with a range of business intelligence sources.

As you can see from my CV I have experience in:

• Retail - moving from shelf stacker to checkout operator to team leader in my two years with Fresh Foods. I contributed to the store consistently being in the top five for the region by providing excellent customer service.
• Warehouse operations - picking and packing to meet targets over the busy Christmas period.

I have also:

• Worked in and led teams at Fresh Foods, on course projects and in sports.
• Communicated with colleagues at all levels in retail and warehousing.
• Solved problems as a team leader, ensuring staff cover and dealing with customer complaints.
• Worked flexibly doing both early and late shifts and covering for absence, sometimes at short notice.
• Managed my time when combining study with work and sport.

My semester in Germany exposed me to a different culture and improved my language skills. In addition, my voluntary work with young people has increased my resilience and ability to mix with people from all walks of life.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

(Sign your name here)

Find out more

• Get more information on cover letters .
• If you're applying for a job that's not advertised take a look at an example speculative cover letter .
• Learn more about the 5 things to avoid when writing a cover letter .

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Cover Letter Examples & Samples

Find a sample cover letter for your CV. Just type in your job title to get started.

Want to write your cover letter fast? Use our cover letter builder. Choose from 18 professional cover letter templates that match your CV. See actionable examples and get expert tips along the way.

Sample cover letter for a CV made with our builder—See more templates and create your cover letter here .

One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:

[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My CV is now one page long, not three . With the same stuff.

Categories:

• Accounting & Finance
• Construction
• Creative & Cultural Fields
• Education & Learning
• Engineering & Scientific
• Hospitality Travel & Transportation
• Information Technology (IT)
• Legal Services
• Management & Leadership
• Retail & Customer Service
• Sales & Marketing

Professional Cover Letter Builder

Zety’s cover letter builder makes writing easy for you and less time-consuming, Use our beautiful, customizable templates recommended by HR pros to wow every recruiter.

Accounting & Finance Cover Letter Examples

Have a gig in finance or accounting? Want to move up the ladder? See our sample cover letters to get you there.

• Business Analyst
• Investment Banking

Construction Cover Letter Examples

You need the right blueprint to craft your own cover letter. With our sample cover letters, you'll have the building block to finish yours quickly.

• Architecture

Creative & Cultural Fields Cover Letter Examples

No need to bury your creative side when choosing the right cover letter template, we’ve got you covered.

• Graphic Design

Education & Learning Cover Letter Examples

Think of our sample cover letters as an open book take-home test—just fill in the blanks with the right answers.

• Teaching Assistant

Engineering & Scientific Cover Letter Examples

Our cover letters have been tested in the field and the results come up positive. Replicate your own with our guides!

• Engineering

Hospitality Travel & Transportation Cover Letter Examples

Don’t take the hard road when crafting your cover letter—use our transportation and hospitality industry sample cover letters to get your profile revved up.

• Receptionist

Information Technology (IT) Cover Letter Examples

You code Java in your sleep but come up on the zero binary end when writing a cover letter. Use our examples line by line and you’ll be done in no time.

• Data Analyst

Legal Cover Letter Examples

You need a legal cover letter that won’t result in a hung (recruiter) jury. Use our sample cover letters to get a unanimous victory.

Management & Leadership Cover Letter Examples

You know how to lead and use expert advice in the best way—follow our cover letter guides for management and leadership for 100% success.

• Project Manager

Retail & Customer Service Cover Letter Examples

You promise what you can deliver to your customers — we do the same with our job-winning customer service cover letter templates.

• Customer Service

Sales & Marketing Cover Letter Examples

You know sales isn't about manipulating—it's about offering a solution to a problem. Our sample cover letter for sales jobs do just that.

• Digital Marketing
• Sales Assistant

Other Cover Letter Examples

Need a cover letter sample for different scenarios you find yourself in at this stage of your career? Check out the relevant cover letter templates you need here.

• Career Change
• Email Cover Letter
• Short Cover Letter
• Speculative Application

Examples of Cover Letter Templates

Megan Dennis

Software Engineer

4 Balsham Road

0191 565 5008

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/megandennis99

Amelia Godwin

49 Exmouth Rd

13th January, 2020

Dear Ms. Godwin,

Two months ago, I shattered a record I had previously considered unbreakable. My solutions for developing and optimising ABC's flagship apps and online software helped increase annual mean NPS to a staggering 61.8 (37% increase). Soon after that, I came across the opening for Software Development Team Lead at XYZ Corp. As a lifelong fan of your cutting-edge software solutions, I immediately knew that this post was the perfect match for my skills and expertise.

I know your main focus for the upcoming 18 months will be developing new mobile apps for personal finance management. In my current position as IT Team Lead with ABC Inc., my primary challenge has been to supervise the development and design of our mobile and desktop applications for a flawless user experience. Here are some of my most recent results:

• 3 out of the 4 apps I developed in 2018 were rated 4.7 stars in both AppleStore and Google Play.
• Upgraded premium versions of our products increased quarterly revenue by 86% in 2018 Q4.
• New Help Desk solution cut Customer Effort Score by 31%.

With more than 10 years of experience in software engineering, I am positive I can help XYZ Corp achieve similar results.

End User Satisfaction has always been the single most important KPI for measuring my team’s performance. I know that this value is also the cornerstone of XYZ’s mission and vision—that’s why I was so excited when I first saw your opening.

When can we schedule a meeting and discuss how my success at ABC can translate into IT happiness growth for you?

Yours faithfully,

General Cover Letter

A good cover letter is a personalised cover letter. Getting everything right takes time…and you need to submit your application right this second. Use this sample to create unique cover letters fast and easy—no matter if you need two or 20 versions.

18 Red Lane

079 7736 7995

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/johnqz.welch

Curtis Groom

Operations Manager

Weniger Aerospace

312 Sutton Road

13th January, 2019

Dear Mr. Groom,

I’m very excited to apply for the IT Project Manager position at Weniger Aerospace.

At A/G Systems, I saved 10 meeting hours a week for 20 engineers by using Oracle Primavera to automate program requirement management. At £90 an hour, that’s £864,000 saved per year. I’m proud of that—not least because my title wasn’t IT PMP but Program Administrator. Transitioning 100% into an IT PMP role at Weniger would use my IT skills and passion to its fullest extent.

I know you’re looking for an IT PMP with 5+ years of experience. I’ve spent 6 years creating robust IT systems with the following achievements in the skill areas you highlighted in your job offer:

• Customer Relationship Management. Worked directly with 200+ customers to integrate our software into their daily workflows. Slashed customer complaints by 25%.
• Training. Trained, mentored, and on-boarded 15 new IT hires. Handled all new user training, cutting customer issues by 30%. Provided software training to 12 business units across the UK.
• Automation. Led project to develop custom ERP software, automating requirements-tracking from 20,000 customers and 150+ programs.
• Programming. Wrote test script and coordinated testing across cross-functional teams. Expanded custom software to integrate with ERP. Slashed daily disruptions by 50%.

I’m very interested in sharing more about how I can deliver IT PLP excellence at Weniger Aerospace. Can we schedule a call?

Your faithfully,

Career Change Cover Letter

Most people don’t do the same job for years, but career changers get the double-take. This sample letter will show you how to prove you have what it takes to start a new career. Convince the employer you’re the perfect candidate with help from this example.

Spencer Gough

Graphic Designer

25 Holburn Lane

Heddon-on-the-Wall

070 3340 8500

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/spencer.zz.gough

Adam Roberts

Paralith Marketing

49 Winter Rd

7th December, 2019

Dear Mr. Roberts,

I was so excited when my protein shake packaging design was shortlisted for an Adobe Design Achievement Award.

It was no accident. Design has been a passion of mine since I was ten. I treated the coursework for my B.A. in Design at the University of Winchester as a starting off point. My classes lit the way, but I dug in deeper with:

• Extensive extra-curricular reading of over 100 books on design, art and business.
• Conducting a weekly podcast with interviews of 70+ top designers (and 1500+ subscribers).
• Freelance work on nights, weekends and in the summers designing products for small money but with great returns in terms of lessons learned.

When Dr. Stanhope suggested I apply for this internship, his reasoning was flawless. Paralith’s commitment to developing its interns far beyond mere clock-punching speaks directly to my voracious appetite for continued growth.

I would love to put my passion and skill to work for you. Can we schedule a call to discuss winning awards and accolades for Paralith?

Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.

Internship Cover Letter

Landing an internship is tough. Landing a placement that opens you up to great opportunities is even harder. This sample will show you how to make the most of your skills, education and attitude to win top companies over.

Kyle Howells

70 Lairg Road

Newcastle upon Tyne

077 0978 3656

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/kylezhowells

Head of Human Resources

Newcastle City Council

62 Gloddaeth Street

10th March, 2019

Dear Mr. Bartz,

My name is Kyle Howells and I’m in my final year of A-levels at Kenton School. I’m interested in becoming an apprentice assistant at the Newcastle City Council.

As the secretary of the debate club and model UN participant, I am a highly driven student who would help the Newcastle City Council overcome its administrative challenges.

I know the main duties for this position will be to maintain a professional relationship with visitors, answer multi-line phones and transfer calls to staff members. As the secretary of the debate club, I’ve had to maintain a professional relationship with both students and staff, while being a representative for the club. We were able to introduce several amendments to the debate club rules to make it a more inclusive and dynamic environment for students.

I am applying to the Newcastle City Council specifically as a way to become more involved in local politics and further my professional growth in the field. This is why I’m so excited about this opening. I’d love the opportunity to be involved in local politics in a more fundamental way.

Can we schedule a call next week to discuss this position further?

Student Cover Letter

Your job search is a catch-22: you want to work, but haven’t done enough work to get hired. These cover letter examples will help you escape this vicious circle. Be yourself, we’ll just help you bring out the best in you and give the employers the best candidate: you.

Naomi Fleming

7 Ings Lane

070 4005 3597

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/naomizfleming

Jennifer Scott

Marketing Manager

70 Gloddaeth Street

March 18th, 2019

Dear Ms. Scott,

It would realize a long-term dream of mine to fill the open digital marketing specialist position here at XYZ Food. When I first got my job in customer service here, it was because your team member, Arnold Dickey, advised me to take any job at the company, exceed expectations, build marketing skills and then apply for a transfer to marketing. After just two months, I was promoted to senior customer service agent for quick thinking and a strong work ethic. (I saved the company £2000 a month with one suggestion.)

I read the job posting carefully and spoke with several of your team members. I know the position calls for product knowledge, written and verbal communication, and a strong sense of who our customers are. I believe I’m the perfect fit. I’ve passed quarterly product knowledge quizzes with the highest scores in my department. I’ve used strong communication skills to achieve 95% positive customer survey scores and write up daily error-free reports. My department record of 75+ calls handled per day gives me an excellent understanding of our target demographic.

To me, the most compelling part of this position is that it’s the perfect fit. I’ve dreamed of working as a digital marketing specialist at XYZ for the past seven years, taking 15 online classes and doing 20 freelance projects on nights and weekends.

My supervisor here at XYZ customer service is happy to let me meet with you any weekday. Can we set up a time to chat about how I can exceed your expectations as I’ve exceeded hers?

Internal Position Cover Letter

A new position opened up in your company. You know you’re the best match, but you’re worried you’ll get overlooked. There’s competition, it’s not clear who gets promoted or transitioned. These cover letter samples will show you how to get the credit you’re due.

Summer Akhtar

Assistant Manager- Retail Operations

94 Ockham Road

East Thirston

070 2354 2807

[email protected]

linkedin.com/in/summerzakhtar

Elizabeth Willis

Willis Wearables

4 Robertson Place

July 3rd, 2019

Dear Ms. Willis,

Presently I’m the retail operations assistant manager for Sleek and Sassy, but I just saw your advertisement for a manager at Willis Wearables and I’m excited to put forth my application. I’ve been a semi-frequent customer of WW over the years and I’ve always adored the quality of your products and the helpfulness of the staff.

During my managerial career, I've acquired many skills and much supervisory knowledge. I believe these abilities, coupled with 5+ years of management experience make me a strong contender for this position. On top of the things I mentioned, I’m also honored to have achieved some small, important successes, including:

• Reduction of employee turnover rates by 50% by creating a healthier, more family-like work environment.
• Cut overhead costs by around £3000 per month by implementing sustainable electronics and devices throughout the store.
• Increased sales by 30% in 2018 during the holiday season by spearheading a new sales and marketing campaign.

These are but a few examples, but I hope they help to show you my management experience, a love for the job, passion and dedication. I’m eager for the opportunity to bring these characteristics over to a store I’ve always admired.

If you'll give me the chance, I’d love to show you how I can build upon your current success and take Willis Wearables to the next level.

Manager Cover Letter

What makes this manager cover letter example great? It quantifies and shows a good fit:

• It uses numbers to prove this is the best candidate.
• It adds value to the profile by listing key deliverables.

Administrative Assistant Cover Letter

What makes this sample administrative assistant cover letter stand out? It shows skills like a Swiss Army knife—adaptability and an eagerness to meet any challenge. A further advantage is that it mirrors the requirements of the job ad with the best abilities the candidate has to offer.

Perfect Cover Letter Sample

• Make it easy for recruiters to contact you.
• Address a specific person with the right salutation.
• Show your worth and fit with the company.
• Sign off to make recruiters take action.

Try Zety’s professional cover letter builder now

First job cover letter example

• Free cover letter template for your first job
• Follows all the latest cover letter writing best practices
• You only need 30 minutes to customise it for your application
• Example cover letter shows you how to use the template
• See how to layout your cover letter, and what info to include in your cover letter

Main sections of this page

Don’t hesitate to fast forward to the section you think would be most helpful to you:

• “Example of a first job cover letter” ⏩
• “First job cover letter template” ⏩
• “How to write a cover letter for your first job” ⏩
• “Advice for writing a CV for your first job” ⏩

Example of a first job cover letter

This is an example cover letter based on the “First job cover letter template” ⏩ template.

It’s written for the following fictional candidate and position:

• Her name is Louisa Johnson
• She has just left college with high grades in her BTec Health & Social care qualification
• She’s applying to become a Trainee Social Care Assistant at an organisation called People Care.
• She wants to work for them because they are one of the leading names in the sector with a good reputation.
• Although it is a first job, she has a relevant qualification and placement experience
• She is a St John Ambulance cadet, which is very relevant to the job.
• She can start straight away
• The hiring manager is called Sangita Gupta

Louisa Johnson

BTec Health & Social Care student – triple distinction

07849 395036 | [email protected]

20th May 2022

Trainee social care assistant | Job ref SCA64

Dear Ms Gupta,

I’m interested in a career in health and social care and was excited to see that People Care is recruiting for a trainee social care assistant. I know that your organisation is one of the leading names in healthcare, and to be able to start my career with such a well-regarded organisation would be wonderful.

I have recently left Anytown College with a BTec in Health & Social Care, having achieved a triple distinction. I am now looking for a challenging and rewarding role where I can learn as well as use the skills I already have. While I was at college I studied safeguarding, psychology and infection control, which I believe would be very useful for the position.

As you’ll see from my CV, in addition to regular placements in health & social care settings as part of my course, I have been a St John Ambulance Cadet for five years. I have undertaken many additional qualifications in first aid and am currently training as a young leader within the organisation.

I am available to start work immediately.

Thank you for taking the time to consider my application.

Kind regards,

First job cover letter template

The template below follows all of the current best practices for writing a cover letter .

It’s free, and you’re welcome to use it as many times as you like.

Please note, the template below contains placeholder text in [square brackets]. Please be careful to substitute the placeholder text for words that are relevant to your situation.

To avoid making mistakes when using this template, follow the advice in the “Cover letter checklist” guide on our sister site, Milkround.

[Your first and last name]

[Your telephone number] | [Your email address]

[Your LinkedIn URL] | [Your online portfolio URL]

[Date you’re submitting your CV and cover letter]

[ Job title you’re applying for ] | [ Job ad code, if applicable ]

Dear [Mr/Ms] [hiring manager’s last name],

I’m interested in a career in [sector] and was excited to see that [organisation name] is recruiting for a [job title]. I know that your organisation is one of the leading names in [sector], and to be able to start my career with such a well-regarded organisation would be wonderful.

I have recently left [school or college] with [brief outline of your results, for example ‘four A levels’].  I am looking for a challenging and rewarding role where I can learn as well as use the skills I already have.While I was at school I [highlight any relevant experience or skills, including transferable skills] which I believe would be very useful for the position.

As you’ll see from my CV, [outline any achievements, high grades or awards that demonstrate why you are an outstanding candidate for the job.]

[Your first name]

How to write a cover letter for your first job

First, see our detailed guides for writing a cover letter:

• “How to write a cover letter”
• “How to start a cover letter”
• “How to end a cover letter”
• “What to put in a cover letter”
• “How long should a cover letter be?”
• “What is the best font for a cover letter?”
• “How to find out the name of the hiring manager” on our sister site Milkround

If you’re a graduate, you’ll find our “Graduate cover letter example” useful.

The advice below is specific to the situation where you’re applying for your first job, or where you don’t have any work experience.

Highlight transferable skills from your education and personal life

If you’re applying for an entry-level job, the fact that you don’t have any work experience won’t go against you.

Instead, you can talk in your cover letter about other experience that shows your determination, diligence and work ethic, for example. This could include volunteer work, membership of clubs or societies or participation in sport.

Work out what skills you have gained from each experience and how it could be applied in a work situation. For example, if you help out at an after-school club, you could have caring, leadership and mentoring skills. Explain how you could utilise them in your new role.

‘Soft’ skills are just as, if not more, important than job-related skills in the workforce. They’re transferable, which means they can be applied in a lot of different career settings.

So for example communication, time management, empathy, listening and people management are skills that can be gained outside of formal work but can be valuable to prospective employers..

Highlight achievements that illustrate your potential

If you’ve achieved something you’re particularly proud of, mention it in your cover letter, especially if it demonstrates valuable skills. If you were captain of the school hockey team, that helps show leadership potential. If you organised a successful petition against a damaging local planning application, say so (as long as you are not applying to work for a construction business!)

Highlight academic achievements

You don’t need to list all of your exam results on your cover letter (you do that on your CV) but highlighting some of your key achievements is a good idea, especially if they’re relevant to the job.

For example if you’re applying to be a trainee accountant, mentioning you got the highest grade in your Maths A level class is appropriate. If you won a young creative writing award and you’re looking to get into copywriting, make sure you talk about it in your cover letter.

Tell them you can start immediately

Fellow applicants who are already working will usually have to give notice of a week or a month, or even longer, if they are offered a new job. If you can start straight away, say so. If the employer is keen to fill the position, your enthusiasm will impress them.

Advice for writing a CV for your first job

Follows all the current best practices for CV writing in the UK – all our advice up-to-date!

Contains everything you need to know , including:

• What to include in your CV
• How to layout your CV
• 4 CV examples

• Free CV template for all job applications
• You only need 60 minutes to customise it for your application
• Example of good CV shows you how to use the template
• Discover how to layout your CV, and what info to include in your CV

• Free CV template for people applying for the first job
• Template also works if you don’t have any work experience
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• Cover Letter

What Is a Cover Letter and Why Do You Need It? (+ Examples)

Our customers were hired by:

A CV, important as it is, is just one part of your job application. You’ll more often than not be required to submit a cover letter as well. Including a cover letter is standard practice and you should generally do so unless specifically asked not to.

We say ‘cover letter’ as though it were one, well-defined thing. And for a good, long while it was. It used to be that you wouldn’t send or hand someone a stack of papers (a report, a script, or a CV, for example) without a letter of introduction and explanation as the first page. Literally a cover letter.

This made sense. The covering letter told the recipient what the documents underneath were about, whom they were for, who (if anyone) had asked for them, who the author was, what they’d hoped to achieve, what action was required, and so on. But times have changed.

Now a cover letter is something you only see mentioned in job adverts. It can be the body of an email, an attachment to an email, a field in an online application, or a DM on a social media platform. Its purpose remains the same, though, no matter what form it takes.

In this article, you will learn what a cover letter is and see a full cover letter sample. We’ll also show why cover letters are still a thing in 2023 and how to write them.

Save time and have a cover letter ready in no time. Pick a cover letter template , use pre-written suggestions, and have your cover letter ready in minutes.

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Seeking more guidance on cover letter writing? See these guides:

• Best Cover Letter Layouts to Leverage in 2024
• Cover Letter Ending: What Should You Know
• Cover Letter Structure & Guidelines
• Email Cover Letter (+ Plenty of Examples)
• Generic Cover Letter & How to Make One
• How to Format a Cover Letter in 2024: Key Tips
• How to Open a Cover Letter to Impress a Recruiter
• Using ChatGPT for Cover Letter Writing: Tips
• Motivation Cover Letter: Definition + Examples

Sample cover letter

Gertrude Williams

95 Holburn Lane

23rd May 2021

Ms Ella Lambert

Muirhead Cottage IT

Dear Ms. Lambert,

I was excited to see an opening for the position of Office Manager on getworking.co.uk and not only because I’ve long been a fan of Muirhead’s software, right from the release of its Box Squares suite. My many years of experience in administration have given me a certain intuition regarding corporate culture and company values and I believe I can make a real and lasting contribution to Muirhead’s story.

My current role as Office Manager at Bumpington Indanite Solutions brings me up against many of the same challenges that I gather Muirhead faces on a daily basis. The two companies share analogous niches in the market and I believe this would help me integrate with the Muirhead team on a ‘plug and play’ basis. To give a couple of examples of what I could bring to Muirhead, my most recent achievements at BIS include:

• decreasing the average time it takes to prepare contracts and money orders by over 25% through the implementation of new procedures and templates
• reducing annual junior administration staff turnover by 87% compared to my first year as Office Manager through a host of changes in recruitment, rostering, and workflow processes.

Having the opportunity to join the Muirhead Cottage team as Office Manager would certainly allow me to develop professionally in new and exciting ways. It would also give me the satisfaction of knowing that I’m contributing to a company that has been a part of my day-to-day life for so many years. I would be very grateful for a chance to discuss my candidature further during the course of an interview and very much look forward to hearing from you.

Yours faithfully,

Now you know what a cover letter looks like. Read on to learn more about what a cover letter is.

What is a cover letter?

A cover letter , also called a covering letter, motivation letter, a motivational letter , or a letter of motivation, is a document that accompanies your CV as part of a job application. A cover letter is where you introduce yourself as a candidate, address your CV to the recruiter, highlight the most impressive and relevant parts of your CV , and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the job and the company.

The idea behind a cover letter hasn’t changed since its heyday in the mid-to-late 20th Century. The form has changed significantly since then, though. The default is still a standard business letter, properly laid out and formatted just like in the olden days, but that’s not the only form it can take.

A cover letter can also be an email, a DM on a social media platform, or a character-limited text box in an online application form. The purpose is always the same, though, and if you can write the default, standard business letter version, then you can write any of the other kinds as well.

What is the purpose of a cover letter?

The purpose of a cover letter is to address, introduce, and summarise your CV. A cover letter is used to direct your CV to the appropriate person (usually a hiring manager or recruiter) and let them know why you’re sending your CV. Above all, it shows how your qualifications match the job description.

A well-written cover letter also shows that you can write well. An obvious but very important point. Written communication skills are crucial in some lines of work and both recruiters and hiring managers are likely to judge us on the basis of our cover letters .

You can adjust every cover letter created in the builder to meet the job requirements. Choose the name of your profession and the company to which you’re applying, and the builder will automatically adapt the content for you. Create a cover letter faster than you ever thought possible and apply for the job in record time.

Is a cover letter the same thing as a CV or resume?

No. A cover letter is not the same thing as a CV or resume. A cover letter accompanies your CV and refers to it but doesn’t simply repeat what’s in it. Your CV is a summary of your experience, your cover letter is an introduction that demonstrates your professionalism and highlights your suitability for the role.

Do you need to include a cover letter in 2021?

The short answer is: yes, you should definitely include a cover letter with your job application. You shouldn’t include a cover letter only if you’ve been specifically asked not to, or if

the application system makes it impossible (no text box, nowhere to attach another file).

Studies show that more than half of employers prefer candidates to include a cover letter, even if it's a short business letter . Yet a quick search online reveals article after article claiming that no one or almost no one reads cover letters any more. So why should you bother?

Even if no one reads your cover letter, if the advert required one, then not including it is a great way to get your application culled early on in the process.

And maybe the recruiter doesn’t even open your cover letter but hands it on to the hiring manager. Maybe the hiring manager has a print out of your letter in front of them during your job interview. There are many ways in which a good cover letter could make all the difference.

Being able to write a good cover letter automatically means being able to write a good email for when you send through your CV. Or maybe a DM on LinkedIn. A traditional cover letter is the longest and most formal version of something that is as important and relevant now as it was last century.

Bottom line: you have nothing to lose and everything to gain by including a cover letter. Even if the traditional cover letter is going extinct, being able to introduce yourself and show that you’re the right candidate for the job is a skill that’s as crucial now as ever.

You don’t have to create any content yourself. The LiveCareer cover letter maker will automatically suggest the best content for your cover letter with ready-made examples and expert tips.

Create your cover letter

How to write a cover letter

Writing a new cover letter for each job application takes a bit of effort, there’s no denying it. It’s definitely worth it, though, and there are things you can do to make the process quicker and easier on yourself.

Learning how to write a good cover letter can be easier and less painful than you might think, and having a good guide to follow is key. Whether you’re applying for an advertised opening, prospecting or networking, our guides will get you there.

To make the best possible impression with the least amount of time and effort, try our cover letter builder. It’ll guide through the process of writing the content and then help you really stand out from the crowd with elegant, professional templates you can’t get anywhere else.

A cover letter alone simply won’t be enough—you need an impactful CV, too. Create your CV in minutes. Choose a professional CV template and quickly fill in every CV section using ready-made content and expert advice.

Create your CV now

Has this article answered your questions? Is there anything else you’d like to know about cover letters before sitting down to write one? Let me know in the comments below.

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.

About the author

Since 2005, the LiveCareer Team has been helping job seekers advance their careers. In our in-depth guides, we share insider tips and the most effective CV and cover letter writing techniques so that you can beat recruiters in the hiring game and land your next job fast. Also, make sure to check out our state-of-the-art CV and cover letter builder—professional, intuitive, and fully in line with modern HR standards. Trusted by 10 million users worldwide.

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What is the difference between a supporting statement and a cover letter?

In this competitive job market, crafting a strong application is crucial for securing an interview. Employers often request written documents as part of your application, and you may find yourself asked to submit either a supporting statement or a cover letter. While these two documents share the common goal of showcasing your suitability for a position, they differ in a few important ways. In this post, we will delve into the key differences between supporting statements and cover letters, helping you understand the differences between them and how to maximise their impact.

Supporting statement vs. cover letter: the key differences

A supporting statement , also known as a personal statement, is a document that requires you to outline your suitability for the job by addressing how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed in the person specification/job description. Its primary purpose is to highlight how your skills, experience and accomplishments make you a good fit for the role. While some employers may ask you to explain your motivations for applying, this is not the primary focus of the document. A supporting statement is often a standalone submission, and employers may not allow you to submit your CV with it, so it needs to speak for itself.

In contrast, a cover letter almost always accompanies your CV. For this reason, it provides an opportunity to express your motivations for applying for the role and to highlight a select number of aspects about your skills and experience (as evidenced in your CV), that you feel make you particularly well-suited to the position.

A supporting statement is a written statement, not a letter, and it is structured around the specific criteria or competencies that the employer is looking for. You should address each criterion individually and provide detailed evidence.

Cover letters, as the name suggests, are more like a formal letter. They begin with a formal greeting and introduction, followed by a brief paragraph explaining how you learned about the job and your interest in it. The body of the cover letter discusses your qualifications, experiences, and why you think you are a good fit for the job. It often includes a narrative about your career journey and what drives your passion for the industry or role. The letter concludes with a closing statement and a call to action. It will tend to be quite a bit shorter than a supporting statement.

When employers request a supporting statement , most will specify a maximum word or character limit that equates to about two sides of A4. If no word limit is provided, aiming for somewhere around this length is advisable, as it allows you enough space to fully address the competencies listed in the person specification.

Cover letters are typically shorter and, in most cases, should be limited to one page. This length is typically sufficient to introduce yourself, explain your interest in the job, and highlight your suitability for the role.

Writing a supporting statement will require you to take a methodical approach in order to address all of the competencies the employer is looking for. For each competency, you will need to provide specific examples and evidence to demonstrate that you have it. For advice on what to include read my other post How to write a supporting statement for a job application .

A cover letter has a broader focus and should aim to make a strong, persuasive case for your candidacy, without getting too deep into the specifics. This usually means focusing on 3 or 4 of the main requirements of the position. Read my How to write a great cover letter blog post for more in-depth advice on what to include.

5. Tailoring

Supporting statements are often tailored to a very specific job application. Since they are structured around the criteria for a particular role, you need to customise each supporting statement for the job you're applying to. This level of specificity is crucial in demonstrating your alignment with the job requirements. For this reason, it will usually take longer to write a compelling supporting statement than it will a cover letter.

While it's important to tailor your cover letters , they tend to be more versatile. You can create a template that outlines your general career story and qualifications, and then make specific modifications for each job application. However, it's essential to ensure that the modified sections still align with the company's values and the specific job description.

In summary, a cover letter and a supporting statement serve distinct roles in a job application. A cover letter is a more general introduction that highlights your motivation and fit for the job, while a supporting statement is a much more specific document that provides evidence of your suitability for the role, by directly addressing each of the competencies listed in the person specification. Tailoring each document to the job you're applying for is crucial for a successful application.

If you would like to take your applications to the next level, check out my application review services, including both cover letters and supporting statements .

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How to Write a Cover Letter for a Job

A re you tired of submitting resumes online to only hear the sounds of crickets chirping? If you're looking for an easy way to stand out in your job search, learning how to write a cover letter might be the boost your job hunt needs. 

In today's digitally savvy world, many people assume that cover letters are unnecessary and outdated. But did you know that  49% of hiring managers  said that a strong cover has made up for a weak resume and convinced them to interview a potential job candidate? 

If you're looking for an easy way to stand out and grab the attention of a hiring manager, writing a good cover letter can give you a leg up on the competition. 

What is a Cover Letter?

A cover letter is a self-introductory one-page letter submitted with your resume , CV, or job application. It has a traditional business letter format and aims to persuade a hiring manager or recruiter to schedule you for an interview.

Cover letters are not always necessary; in fact, many companies do not require applicants to submit one. But having a cover letter may give you an edge if you can write one that is persuasive. 

Another reason you may want to write a cover letter is it allows you to expand on certain areas, such as your passion for the company culture, mentioning a referral, explaining a gap in employment, or a career change you've recently made. There is usually no room on your resume for these aspects, and a cover letter can give you the room to expand on your unique situation, skills, passions, or experience. 

Now that you know the goal of a cover letter, let's discuss how to write one for any job application. 

1. Follow the Instructions

Before you start typing up your cover letter, be sure to read the job description and the application instructions first. Many companies use the application process to determine whether you are detail-oriented and can follow directions. Some companies may say: do not send us a cover letter; if this is the case, absolutely do not send them one. 

Nowadays, companies have lengthy application and interviewing processes . Before applying, it's best to read the job description numerous times to make sure you meet all of the criteria. You don't want to waste your time submitting a bunch of documents only to find out that they don't hire in your state or that you don't have the proper equipment for the job.

Slow down, take your time, and use a checklist to make sure you've covered all your bases. 

2. Use the Right Cover Letter Format

Cover letters have a distinct format that you should follow so that they are easy for the hiring manager to scan, locate your contact information, and quickly understand why you'd be an asset to the company. Your cover letter should also match your resume in terms of colors, fonts, and keywords used. 

From top to bottom, your cover letter should include the following elements: 

• Your first and last name, job title, phone number, email address, city and state, and a link to your LinkedIn profile
• Name of company
• Personalized salutation 
• Intro paragraph
• 2-3 paragraphs about your job experience, passions, education, and skills
• Closing paragraph
• A complimentary close and your full name 

Besides including these key elements, your cover letter should be short, to the point, and easy to scan. If you need help with the formatting, there are tons of free cover letter examples on sites like  Indeed ,  Jobscan , and  Microsoft . Stay away from templates with script fonts, too many colors, and too many design elements, as these are generally not ATS-friendly (applicant tracking software). 

3. Personalize Your Cover Letter

If possible, personalize your cover letter with the hiring manager's first and last name or a title (Ms., Mr., or Mx.) and their last name. If you're uncertain about a person's gender or how they identify, skip the title and just use their name. If the job posting doesn't include who to address it to, you can try finding the individual on a social media platform like LinkedIn . If you're still unable to find who to address it to, you can use a generalized salutation. 

Here are some acceptable cover letter salutations: 

• Dear Ms. Smith,
• Dear Judy Smith,  
• Dear Human Resources Department,
• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear Marketing Team, 

Lastly, avoid using the salutations, Dear Sir or Madam. These are outdated salutations and may signal that you are older. When working on your resume and cover letter, you want to avoid anything that may cause bias with the recruiter or hiring manager. 

4. Compliment the Company

When you're doing your research on the company, you should find things that make the company appealing and compliment them on it. Many employers, especially smaller companies, want individuals who know and love their brand and who are excited about the opportunity to work with them. 

For example, if you're applying for a job with Nespresso, which offers free recycling of their coffee pods, you may say something like this in your introductory paragraph: 

When I saw that Nespresso was hiring a Digital Marketing Specialist, I stopped everything I was doing and immediately began working on my application. Not only do I love Nespresso coffee (especially the Golden Caramel flavor), but I have tremendous respect for your sustainability and community initiatives, and I am excited for the opportunity to be a part of this meaningful company.

If you decide to complement the company, it should be true and authentic. The more genuine enthusiasm you can convey in your cover letter, the better, as this sort of energy is infectious. 

5. Make it Conversational

As you can see in the example above, my tone is very conversational. While you want to write in a professional manner, don't get caught up in being so professional that you sound like a robot. When you're writing your cover letter, pretend you're writing a letter to your grandmother; you want a friendly but respectful tone.

The majority of job seekers out there are using cover letter templates with sample wording or AI-generated content, and 90% of them sound the same. If you can take a slightly different approach and write from the heart in a conversational manner, you will stand out from the crowd. Add in some enthusiasm and highlight your best skills, achievements, and experience, and you have a winning combination for a cover letter that attracts attention. 

6. Highlight Your Accomplishments 

On your cover letter, it's best if you can pin-point one major professional accomplishment and hone in on that. You just need one example that will impress the hiring manager so that they become interested in scheduling an interview with you. This can be an example that was used on your resume , but perhaps you go into a touch more detail on your cover letter. 

If you don't have a concrete accomplishment to add to your cover letter, instead, use a specific example of how you achieved a goal. Focus on real-life experiences and transferable skills that make you an ideal candidate for the job. Using examples from high school, a college internship, or volunteering is perfectly fine. 

7. Only Include Relevant Experience

When applying for jobs, many job seekers add every skill, job duty, and experience that they have ever had. While you want to impress an employer with your vast knowledge, including your entire work and education history, it makes it difficult for them to find the pertinent skills and experiences that are relevant to the position. Often, if your cover letter or resume is too wordy, and a hiring manager doesn't see what they're looking for in a few seconds, your resume goes into the trash. 

When writing your cover letter and resume, focus on the skills and experience needed for the position you're applying to. This will not only let the hiring manager know that you're a good fit for the job, but it also helps to get your resume past ATS (applicant tracking software). 

Nowadays, almost all cover letters and resumes are first scanned by ATS. This means that if your documents do not contain the right keywords, they will never make it into the hands of an actual person. This is why it is so important to modify each resume and cover letter that you send out. 

Always be sure to include the job title, keywords from the job description, and your email address. I've reviewed a fair number of resumes where individuals forgot to include their contact details.

8. Proofread Your Cover Letter 

Once you're finished writing your cover letter, you need to proofread it for spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors. It's best if you can do this multiple times, at different sittings. Often, what happens when you proofread multiple times in a row, your brain misses typos and errors. But when you give yourself some time in between, your mind is fresh and catches the errors that you may have missed the first time around. 

You can also use a free editing tool like Grammarly to help you out. Or get a respected friend or family member to take a look at your cover letter and resume and proofread it for typos. Some hiring managers will overlook minor typos, but others will immediately throw your application out if it contains any errors, so take your time and ensure that your documents are error-free.

9. Convert Your Cover Letter to a PDF

After your cover letter has been proofread and edited, name the file with your first and last name and the words "cover letter," and convert it into a PDF (portable document format). Using a PDF format ensures that your formatting stays secure, and it can be opened across a variety of devices. Of course, if an employer asks for documents to be submitted in a Word Doc, Google Doc, or plain text format, do what they ask. But generally speaking, a PDF is going to be the best format for your cover letter and resume.

How to Write a Cover Letter Wrapup

Writing a great cover letter is possible; it just takes some time and a little effort. But if you're willing to do the work upfront, you'll be rewarded with more interview requests, thus landing a job faster. 

Remember, your cover letter is a short professional document that highlights why you are the best candidate for the job. Because prospective employers review hundreds, sometimes thousands, of resumes and cover letters, they should be easy to scan and highlight your best attributes. Cut out the fluff and focus on the most important qualifications for the job.

Holly Reisem Hanna is the Founder and Publisher of the award-winning career website  The Work at Home Woman.

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Guide for Resumes & Cover Letters

FlexJobs has been the go-to platform for professional-level, legitimate remote and flexible jobs since 2007. Over time, we’ve learned a lot about writing cover letters and resumes that can help you land a coveted interview spot. We've also learned a variety of techniques to help you impress the hiring manager during an interview, and we want to share that knowledge with you.

Throughout this guide, we’re going to give you the tools you need to create cover letters and resumes that get results, tips that will help you ace your interviews, and information on what to do after the interview to help you land the job!

• Proven strategies for what to include in cover letters
• Formatting for various resume styles and types
• A variety of interviewing techniques that impress
• How to best present employment gaps

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How to Write a UK CV (Tips + Example)

Our customers have been hired at: * Foot Note

According to Tony Wilson, director at the Institute for Employment Studies, the UK has seen a sharp rise in unemployment in 2024. Indeed, redundancies are rising, inflation remains high, and the unemployment rate is expected to be at 4.4% and remain there through 2025. 

As the labor market in the UK has grown cooler, competition between job seekers has intensified. You need the proper tools to get ahead in today’s job market, and we’re here to equip you with the best UK CV format. 

In this guide, we show you how to write an impressive UK CV, provide professional UK CV examples, and offer tips for perfecting your CV.

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 UK CV Examples for top jobs

Before we dive into the essential elements of a great UK CV, take a moment to review this UK CV example, or browse our collection of CV examples for more inspiration. 

How to choose a UK CV format

The UK CV is similar to the US resume, except the UK CV allows for more pages and information. And while the US resume is often written in one of three resume formats , a UK CV typically relies on two formats: skills-based and reverse-chronological. Here’s how to choose the best CV format for a UK job application.

Reverse-chronological CV

The reverse-chronological CV format, also known as the chronological CV format, is the most widely used UK CV format and one that recruiters and hiring managers recognize as standard. Why? Because it’s easy for ATS programs and employers to scan.

This CV format emphasizes your work history, so it’s the better option if you have at least one year of professional experience and want to display your work accomplishments .  

Skills-based CV 

This UK CV format focuses on your job-relevant skills . Create categories and under them For example, if you are a chef, you might add culinary arts to your skill set and then describe the various culinary arts skills you have mastered, such as food preparation, cleanliness, knife skills, butchery, sauteeing and sauces.  

Choose this resume format if you are applying for your first job, changing your career or have been out of work for a long time. 

Ready to write your CV ? Start with one of our expertly designed CV templates . Our ATS-friendly templates have been designed to present your job qualifications clearly and professionally — with style. 

What to include in a UK CV

Show off your professionalism right from the get-go with an eye-catching header. Include your name, phone number, email address and professional website, portfolio, or networking profile if you have them. 

Professional statement

Your professional statement is your chance to introduce yourself to potential employers. In three to five sentences, tell them who you are and why you’re the best person for the job. Use keywords from the job description to grab the hiring manager’s attention, paying close attention to your job-relevant skills. 

For example:

“Passionate educator with six years of dedicated teaching experience across various grade levels. Proven track record of fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment that engages students and enhances their academic growth. Proficient in curriculum development, lesson planning, and implementing innovative teaching strategies to meet diverse learning styles. Dedicated to inspiring a love for learning and empowering students to reach their full potential academically, socially, and emotionally.”

Work history

If you are using the chronological UK CV format, hiring managers will scour your  employment history for details about what you’ve done over the course of your 

career. Highlight your achievements — not your responsibilities — to stand out.

To display your work experience, add the employers you worked for, their location and the dates you worked for them. Under each role, add three bullet points with your quantifiable achievements.

In three to five bullet points, describe your accomplishments for each job, tailoring them to the job description. Combine your work accomplishments with action verbs for impact.

Registered Nurse, Premier Hospital, Anytown, U.K. January 2018 – Present

• Implemented evidence-based nursing interventions resulting in a 20% reduction in patient readmission rates within the surgical unit.
• Led a multidisciplinary team in developing and implementing a new protocol for post-operative pain management, resulting in a 30% decrease in opioid use among patients while maintaining high levels of pain control.
• Conducted patient education sessions on wound care and infection prevention, which resulted in a 25% decrease in post-operative wound infections.
• Achieved a 95% patient satisfaction rating through attentive care, clear communication, and compassionate bedside manner.
• Collaborated with physicians and allied health professionals to streamline patient care processes, reducing average patient discharge time by 15%.

Hiring managers and recruiters seek job candidates with a mix of hard and soft skills for their industry. 

Hard skills show potential employers that you have the knowledge it takes to perform the essential functions of the job. They are specific to a role and include aptitudes such as data analysis, spreadsheets and writing. 

Soft skills tell employers that you have the personality traits and qualities to help you stand out from others with similar technical aptitude. Examples include verbal communication, active listening and adaptability. 

Education is vital for a UK CV, no matter how long you’ve worked. On the chronological UK CV format, place your education section under your skills section. To list your education credentials, start with your highest level of education and work backward if you’ve received more than a degree. Add the school’s name, location and graduation date. Include a bullet list of relevant coursework and awards or honors you received at each institution. 

For example: 

Bachelor of Science in Computer Science

University Name, City, State

Graduated: May 20XX

Relevant Coursework:

• Data Structures and Algorithms
• Object-Oriented Programming
• Software Engineering Principles
• Programming Completion Award of Excellence

If you’re still completing your education, include it and add “In progress” or the date you expect to complete your studies. Include a bullet list of job-relevant courses you have taken. 

Optional sections

Adding optional sections to your UK CV can help you shine. Since it’s acceptable to use a two-page UK CV format, consider adding one or more of the following bonus sections to your CV if you have room:

• Volunteer work demonstrates your passion, values and commitment, highlights your transferable skills , and fills gaps in your employment. 
• Awards distinguish you as an exceptional job candidate, indicate work ethic, and highlight job-relevant strengths and achievements. 
• Professional memberships indicate your commitment to your industry and professional development and add credibility to your UK CV. 
• Hobbies provide a glimpse into your personality, show you’re well-rounded and make you a more interesting job candidate. 
• Publications and presentations indicate expertise in your field, set you apart from other job candidates, and enhance your credibility.

Modify your US CV for a UK job

If you already have a US CV, you don’t have to start a new CV from scratch to apply for a job in the United Kingdom. Use our CV Maker and follow these tips to turn your US CV into an impressive UK CV. 

• Try UK NARIC (National Recognition Information Centre for the United Kingdom) to find the UK equivalents for your US educational and professional credentials.
• Re-craft your CV to align with a UK CV format. Shorten your US CV to two pages, keeping the critical elements intact and tailoring them to match the job you seek. 
• Localize your CV. Use business and industry terminology typical for the United Kingdom and UK units of measure, spelling and grammar conventions. 

Modify your UK CV format for the US job market

If you are in the United Kingdom and applying for work in the United States, follow these tips to adapt your UK CV to match the US equivalent and increase your chances of getting your dream job. 

• Use a credential evaluation service, like the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) to find the UK equivalents for your US educational and professional qualifications.
• Use US terminology, spelling and grammar in your CV. For example, use “ZIP code” instead of “postcode,” “program” instead of “programme,” and month-day-year for the date. 
• Include your work authorization status. If you require work authorization to work in the US, include your work authorization status in your resume so employers know you are eligible to work there.

Tips to write an effective UK CV

• Choose a UK CV format that fits your career stage.
• Use a CV template to ensure your UK CV is formatted correctly and easily read. 
• Customize your CV for every job you apply to. 
• Include resume keywords throughout your CV to ensure it’s ATS-friendly and catches the hiring manager’s attention. 
• Avoid graphics and personal information such as your age and home address.
• Proofread your UK CV. Use spell-checkers, online tools and another pair of trusted eyes.
• Include a cover letter to complement your UK CV. 

 Key takeaways

• A UK CV is similar to the US resume, except the UK CV allows for more pages and information
• The first step to creating an impressive UK CV is choosing the right UK CV format for your career stage.
• Tailor your UK CV to the job description to emphasize your qualifications.
• Spotlight your measurable achievements instead of your job duties.
• Ensure your UK CV is ATS-friendly by using keywords from the job description and formatting your CV correctly.

Resources for your UK resume format

• CV vs. Resume: What’s the Difference?  
• 100 Essential Technical Skills 
• How to Write an Impressive Letter of Intent
• How Long Should a Cover Letter Be?

How can I navigate the UK job market as a foreigner? 

Navigating the UK job market as a foreigner can be challenging, but with the right approach and preparation, you can increase your chances of success. 

Here are some steps you can take:

• Understand visa requirements: Ensure you understand the visa requirements for UK work. Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may need a work visa or other permits to work in the country legally. Visit the UK government’s website or consult an immigration advisor for the most up-to-date information.
• Research the job market: Familiarize yourself with the UK job market by researching industries, companies and job opportunities. Identify sectors that are in demand and align with your skills, qualifications and experience.
• Tailor your CV and cover letter: Adapt your CV/resume and cover letter to the UK format and standards. Highlight relevant experience, skills and qualifications that are sought after in the UK job market. Customize your application for each position you apply for, emphasizing how your background makes you a good fit for the role.
• Utilize online job portals: Search for job vacancies in the UK using online job portals and professional networking sites such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Reed, and Totaljobs. Create a strong online profile and actively network with professionals in your industry.
• Consider recruitment agencies: Recruitment agencies can help match you with suitable job opportunities. Research reputable agencies that specialize in your field and register with them to access their job listings and services.

How do I address gaps in my employment on a UK CV?

Addressing gaps in your employment history on a UK CV requires transparency and strategic communication. Here are five ways to effectively handle employment gaps:

• Be honest: Always be truthful about the reasons for any gaps in your employment history. Attempting to conceal or misrepresent the gaps may raise red flags during recruitment.
• Provide a brief explanation: Include a concise explanation for the gap in your CV. Whether it was due to personal reasons, further education, traveling, or career transition, briefly mention the reason for the gap without going into excessive detail.
• Highlight relevant activities: If you were engaged in any activities during the gap period relevant to the job you’re applying for, such as freelancing, volunteering, or taking courses, be sure to include them on your CV. Highlighting these activities demonstrates that you remained productive and proactive during your gap period.
• Focus on your skills and achievements: Emphasize transferable skills, experiences or achievements gained during the gap period relevant to the position you’re applying for. This could include developing new skills, undertaking projects or acquiring certifications.
• Use a skills-based UK CV format: If your traditional chronological UK CV format emphasizes the gap too prominently, consider using a skills-based format. This format focuses more on your skills and accomplishments than your chronological work history, allowing you to downplay employment gaps.
• Address employment gaps in your cover letter: If you feel your CV doesn’t adequately explain the employment gap, you can address it briefly in your cover letter. Use the cover letter to provide context and reassure the employer of your commitment and suitability for the role.

What sections should be included in a UK CV?

The standard UK CV format usually has two pages. However, for professionals with extensive experience, such as academics or senior executives, a CV may extend to three or even four pages.

A UK CV format typically includes the following sections:

• Personal details: Name, contact information and professional profiles. 
• A professional statement: Summarize who you are and what you offer. 
• Work experience: List previous employment, including job titles, dates and brief descriptions of responsibilities and achievements.
• Education: Add details of academic qualifications, including degrees, certifications and any relevant training.
• Skills: Highlight job-relevant skills and competencies. 
• Additional sections: Optional sections include hobbies and interests, professional memberships, languages or volunteer experience.

What is the preferred layout and design for a UK CV format?

A UK CV should have a clean and professional layout, with clear headings and bullet points for easy readability. Use a legible font such as Arial or Times New Roman, with 10-12 points font size. Avoid using decorative fonts or excessive graphics, and maintain consistent formatting throughout the document.

Should I include a photo on my UK CV?

We advise that you do not include a photo on a UK CV unless specifically requested by the employer or if you’re applying for a role where appearance is relevant, such as modeling or acting. Including a photo may introduce bias and is not recommended unless explicitly required.

How we reviewed this article

Since 2013, we have helped more than 15 million job seekers. We want to make your career journey accessible and manageable through our services and Career Center’s how-to guides and tips. In our commitment to bring you a transparent process, we present our Editorial Process .

• Expatica. Article. No Author. Applying for jobs in the UK: CV and interview tips
• LinkedIn. Article. Oluwaseun, ‘Gabby’ A. How to Write a UK CV Format
• The Guardian. Article Elliott, Larry. UK’s weak economy is taking a toll on its labour market
• The Guardian. Article. No Author. UK unemployment rate leaps to 4.2% amid fears of job cuts
• SHRM. Article. Stack, Chris. Crossing the Atlantic: A Comparison of US and UK Employment Concepts.

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Kellie Hanna, CPRW

Career advice expert.

Kellie is a Certified Professional Resume Writer with 20+ years of experience in digital media and is passionate about helping job seekers navigate their careers. She earned a B.A. in English and writing from Temple University.

‡ Results derived from a study responded by 1000 participants of which 287 created a resume online.

*The names and logos of the companies referred to above are all trademarks of their respective holders. Unless specifically stated otherwise, such references are not intended to imply any affiliation or association with MyPerfectResume.

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How to Create Offer Letters for Employees in the UK

Jan 1, 2023

Carrie Stemke

Table of contents.

So, you’ve completed the interviews, vetted the prospective employees, and settled on one lucky candidate to fill the opening. Now it’s time to send them the offer letter so you can officially get the onboarding process rolling. This is an essential step when you’re getting ready to hire an employee in the United Kingdom .  Sending an offer letter—sometimes termed a “contract of employment” in the UK—is crucial for several reasons. It gives you the opportunity to outline important details, such as the new hire’s duties and responsibilities, the benefits they’ll receive, including time off, and the salary. The offer letter will serve as a point of reference while you work things out, particularly if the individual decides they’d like to negotiate with you over the latter. 

Here’s everything you need to send a legally compliant offer letter to hire a full-time employee in the United Kingdom.

UK job offer letter checklist

• Position (job title), job description, date of commencement, and probationary period . In addition to the title of the job and its responsibilities, indicate the start date (and end date, if you’re working with a fixed term employee) and whether the employee will be subject to a probationary period first. Generally, probation periods are about six months long in the UK. In the offer of employment, you should explain that the probationary period used is to determine whether they’re a good fit for the role and indicate how long it will last.
• Hours of work. The average full-time employee works 40 hours per week. Specify the new hire’s expected schedule, and be sure to include any breaks. Under the Working Time Directive—also called Working Time Regulations—most employees can’t work more than 48 hours per week, as averaged over 17 weeks. If you think you’ll need the new hire to work overtime, you’ll have to ask them to opt out of the 48-hour rule. Keep in mind that even if they do this, they can rescind their agreement anytime they want, regardless of whether or not it’s written in the contract.
• Compensation and benefits.
• Salary, expenses, and deductions. Specify the annual salary or hourly wage you’re offering the employee, as well as whether you intend to pay them daily, weekly, or monthly. Additionally, detail whether the company will reimburse the new hire for certain expenses or if it will be providing cash or non-cash incentives, contributions to their pension fund, and any other forms of remuneration.
• Workplace pension scheme . You are legally required to enroll all of your employees in a pension scheme and to make contributions to it, except under very limited circumstances. Indicate the details of automatic enrollment in this section. Include the date the individual was enrolled, the amount the company will contribute as well as the type of plan, how to opt out of the scheme, and which tax relief laws apply to them.
• Commissions and bonuses. Information about performance-related pay is frequently included as an addendum to the section in the employment contract that discusses remuneration. It’s crucial to be specific about the ways an employee can be expected to be compensated beyond their wage because it will protect you in the event a situation in which the staff member claims you failed to pay them a commission or bonus they were owed arises.
• Vacation. The statutory leave entitlement—or annual leave—for all individuals classified as “workers” under UK Employment Law is 5.6 weeks, or 28 days, per year. You are legally permitted to include the eight bank holidays employees get in this amount. The exact arrangement, including any additional paid leave the employee will receive for, say, becoming a parent, should be specified in this section.

Create and send out offer letters compliantly with Rippling

• Place of work. Indicate whether the employee is working on-site or from home; if it’s the former, list the address of the office they’ll be expected to commute to and from.
• Sickness. UK employment law requires all companies to abide by Statutory Sick Pay legislation, which states that eligible employees who are too ill to work are entitled to receive up to £109.40 per week for up to 28 weeks. Your company may choose to offer additional compensation beyond this under its sick pay scheme.
• Confidentiality. Detail the company’s confidentiality and non-disclosure agreement (NDA) policies in this section. Additionally, indicate which law (England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland) governs the terms of the agreement and which country it can be enforced in. This is particularly crucial if you and the employee reside in different countries within the UK.
• Termination policy. State the terms under which an employee can be dismissed from the company, as well as how much notice they should expect. Under UK Employment Law, you are permitted to terminate an employment contract without giving any notice as long as you can show you have justifiable grounds for doing so, such as gross misconduct.
• Conditions and warranties. UK Employment Law allows you to decide whether you’d like a new employee to pass certain checks before the employment contract is considered legally binding. Under a conditional offer of employment, you can rescind the offer if the person doesn’t meet certain conditions like passing a background or health check or supplying the necessary references. An unconditional offer means that if they accept and you then try to back out, you can be sued for breach of contract.
• Offer’s expiration date. For the sake of clarity for both parties, put the date the job offer will expire in a place of the offer letter that’s clearly visible like in the first paragraph or two.

How to hire and set up employees in the UK in 90 seconds with Rippling

With Rippling, offer letters for employees in the UK, as well as contractor agreements , are automatically localized—no matter where your new hire is from. But that's just the beginning.

Whether you’re a US company looking to hire British workers, a British employer, or an employer based overseas, Rippling can help you hire, onboard, and set up employees in the UK within minutes through our entities or your own. 

Just click "hire" and Rippling can support your global payroll and hiring right out of the box:

• Set up a localized UK employment agreement
• Pay employees and contractors in the UK and around the world—without waiting for bank transfers or conversions
• Tailor your policies and benefits for the UK
• Easily stay compliant with UK’s overtime, leave, and minimum wage laws
• Automate nearly any payroll process with custom workflows and reminders
• Manage international employees’ time and attendance in a single system
• Build unified reports using both domestic and international HR data

Rippling is the only platform that offers everything you need to manage a global workforce , all in a single system.

Rippling makes it easy to hire and manage your workforce in the UK and all over the globe

Disclaimer: Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.

A freelance writer and editor based in New York City, Carrie writes about HR trends and global workforce management and is the Rippling content team’s expert on hiring know-how in Western Europe.

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