Cover letter templates

Make a strong impression with an eye-catching cover letter.

Choosing the best cover letter template

A strong cover letter is an essential element of any job application. While your CV contains detailed information about your relevant skills, experience and achievements, your cover letter provides a valuable introduction to your application. It gives you the chance to express your interest and enthusiasm for the role, while highlighting some of your most significant and impactful skills.

Choosing a cover letter template that gives your application a chance to shine is a key step towards success in your applications. With employers and recruiters routinely receiving hundreds of applications for individual vacancies, it’s the little things you can do to make your application stand out that can push you ahead of the competition. One of these things is using professional-looking, well-designed templates for your cover letter and CV.

The best cover letter template for your application depends on your personal style, and the job you’re applying for. If you’re applying for a formal, traditional profession, you might wish to select a template that uses subtle design features and a conventional layout. On the other hand, if you’re applying for creative roles or in modern industry sectors such as technology, media or marketing, you might choose a template with more bold styling and colour accents. Another consideration is whether you’ll want to pick a template that matches or complements the styling and layout of your CV.

Making these choices will help you to create a cover letter that’s suitable for the role you’re applying for. It will also ensure your cover letter makes the best possible impact with the reader, and gives you a greater chance of successfully progressing to the next stage of the recruitment process.

What is the correct cover letter format?

Your cover letter should follow the format of a standard business letter. This ensures that all the relevant information is included in your letter, and employers will be familiar with the letter layout and structure.

When writing a cover letter, there are certain elements employers will expect you to include. You’ll want to aim for a length of one side of A4 paper, and a word count of around 300 words. This should give you space to introduce yourself, confirm all the necessary details and show employers why you’re suitable for the job.

A typical cover letter template should follow this structure:

  • Cover letter header, with your full name and contact details.
  • Name and address of the employer, including the name and job title of the hiring manager, if you know it.
  • Professional greeting, using the recipient’s full name if you know it, or their job title (or ‘Dear hiring manager’) if you don’t.
  • Opening paragraph, confirming the role you’re applying for and explaining why you’re applying for the position.
  • Second paragraph, highlighting your current situation, your key skills and relevant career achievements.
  • Closing paragraph, expressing your enthusiasm and gratitude, and leaving a call to action to encourage dialogue with the employer.
  • Complimentary close, followed by your signature and full, printed name.

Frequently asked questions about cover letter templates

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