Find Job-Winning Cover Letter Templates

Find the Best Cover Letter Templates

When applying for jobs, you’ll need an application that stands out. To help, our online cover letter builder offers a selection of successful cover letter templates. Whether you’re seeking a job in sales, retail, marketing, or even law, our tool has templates to help.

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How do I write a cover letter for a job?

A common mistake people make when writing cover letters is to rush them. Take your time and start with these tips:

1. Be clear and concise - outline why you’re suited to the role and stick to the point.
2. Highlight achievements - it’s hard to talk yourself up, but remember that’s what a cover letter is for.
3. Back up your claims - provide evidence to prove you’re suited to the job.
4. Be friendly, but professional - ensure your tone is warm but appropriate.
5. Proofread your work - always check for spelling and grammar errors before sending.
6. Check out our full article on cover letter writing.

What is the best greeting for a cover letter?

When creating your cover letter, there are several greetings to choose from:

1. ‘To the Hiring Manager’ - best if you don’t know the hiring manager’s name.
2. ‘Dear Sir/ Madam’ - another alternative, if you don’t know their name.
3. ‘Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms/Dr [surname]’ - use this if you know the hiring manager’s name but haven’t met them in person.
4. ‘Dear [first name]’ - only use their first name if you know them personally, or have met them at interview.
5. Avoid using ‘To Whom it May Concern’ (old fashioned) or ‘Hi!’, ‘Hey there!’ and other casual greetings (too informal for a professional cover letter).

Not sure which greeting works best? Get more advice in our cover letter builder.

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Breaking it Down: The Anatomy of a Standard UK Cover Letter Template

Every cover letter is different. Even an excellent template needs tweaking for each job application. Here's what you need to know:

How to structure a standard UK cover letter template

In general, your cover letter will follow a common pattern. Working from top to bottom, your letter should include the following elements.

1Standard UK cover letter template - salutation

Choose the right greeting to make a good impression. If you don't know the recipient’s name, write ‘To the Hiring Manager’. If you know their job title, use that instead. If you use their name, keep it formal. For instance, ‘Dear Ms Jones’ is more appropriate than using their first name.

2Standard UK cover letter template - opening paragraph

In the first paragraph explain that you're writing to express your interest in the job. Continue by outlining, at a high level, why you’re suited to the role. Use confident language, such as: ‘I would excel in this role because...’ rather than ‘I think perhaps I might be good at the job...'

3Standard UK cover letter template - second paragraph

Highlight your best attributes here. Draw attention to achievements not covered in detail on your CV. For example, if you made a lot of money for your last company, or if you’ve won awards for your work.

4Standard UK cover letter template - sign off

Once you’ve finished selling yourself, encourage the employer to take action. Use a compelling closing line to spur the hiring manager to call you or look at your CV. For instance, ‘I look forward to discussing the position further in person.’

5Standard UK cover letter template - contact details

People often forget to include contact details on their cover letters. Make sure to include your postal address in the top right-hand corner. Underneath, put your phone number, email address, and the date.

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How a standard UK cover letter template should look

Cover letter layout and formatting are crucial for making a good impression. If an employer can’t read your cover letter easily, they’re highly unlike to look at your CV or call you for an interview.

4 tips for formatting a UK cover letter template

1. Use an easy to read font like Times New Roman or Arial, at 12 points. Don't use 'quirky' fonts like Comic Sans.
2. Use short sentences and leave room between paragraphs. Some white space gives your words freedom to breathe and helps the hiring manager skim your letter, pulling out salient points more easily.
3. Avoid coloured fonts. It may be appropriate to use a small splash of colour in the header but in general it's safest not to. If the manager can’t read your application they’ll throw it straight in the ‘no’ pile.
4. Don’t use pictures or ‘brighten up’ your cover letter with imagery. And don't include a photograph of yourself. Many companies have strict anti-discrimination rules which a photograph can breach.

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How should my cover letter work with my CV?

Like your CV, your cover letter should be clean and crisp. Ensure that:

• It's correctly formatted, using the same fonts and styles as your CV.
• Your CV includes any qualifications mentioned in your cover letter.
• Any jobs mentioned in your cover letter are included under your CV's work experience section.
• Any other achievements mentioned in your letter (awards, sales figures, and so on) are included in your CV's personal profile.

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6 Ways That Using a Cover Letter Template Helps Your Job Search

Finding vacancies, creating a CV, and then applying for jobs is enough to have on your plate without writing a cover letter from scratch. That’s why our cover letter templates are designed to make the process simpler.

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7 Top Tips for Using Cover Letter Templates

Writing cover letters is often a challenge. However, the hardest part is usually getting started. Using a cover letter template designed specifically for the industry you’re applying for can make the process much simpler.

7 important cover letter template tips

To complement your cover letter, we also provide a wide range of professional CV templates. Make sure you complete your CV before working on your cover letter, and use the following tips to get the best from your chosen cover letter template:

1. Use your CV’s personal profile/ personal statement to help focus your mind. Then decide on the key message you want to get across with your cover letter.
2. Don’t waffle. Instead, stick to the outlined structure provided in the template.
3. Pay attention to your greeting and sign-off. Ideally, find out the name of the person you’re sending the letter to and use the appropriate salutation.
4. When explaining why you’re perfect for the job, be sure you include one great example along with a statistic. There should be more details included in your CV.
5. Pay attention to the tone of your cover letter. Keep it strong and positive, but not overly sales-y. Avoid sounding desperate.
6. Be thoughtful about what you name the final file. Bear in mind that any prospective employer is likely to see the file name.
7. Once you’ve completed your template, run spellcheck. It’s also good practice to read it through a few times because spellcheckers can sometimes miss the subtle nuances of language.

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Get the Job You Want With Our Cover Letter Templates

Now you have everything you need to create a successful cover letter! Our online cover letter builder saves you from the pain of staring at a blank sheet of paper, providing you with a wide range of templates, best practice tips, example text, and even more advice on what to do.

There’s no time to waste! Start building your successful cover letter now.