Guide · Jobs · About a 5-minute read
How to write a cover letter (UK)
A cover letter has one job: to make the person reading it open your CV wanting to like it. It doesn't need to be clever or long. It needs to show you've read the job advert and you can do what it asks. Here's a structure that works for almost any UK job.
Before you write: read the advert twice
Highlight the three or four things the employer cares about most. They're usually in the first lines of the advert and in the "essential" list. Your letter should answer those, in roughly the same words, with proof from your own experience.
The 4-paragraph structure
- Why you're writing (2 to 3 sentences). The job title, where you saw it, and one line on why you're a good fit.
- Why you can do the job (4 to 6 sentences). Pick two or three of the employer's main needs and give a real example for each, with a number if you have one ("cut picking errors by a third", "handled 60 calls a day").
- Why them (2 to 3 sentences). Something specific about the company: their customers, how they work, something they've recently done. Show it isn't a copy-and-paste letter.
- Close (1 to 2 sentences). Say you'd welcome an interview, mention when you're available, and sign off.
An example cover letter
Dear Ms Okafor,
I'm applying for the Team Leader role at [company]'s Harlow warehouse, advertised on Indeed. I've worked as a warehouse operative for four years and have spent the last year training new starters and covering for my shift manager, so I'm ready to take the next step.
Your advert asks for someone who can keep a team on target during peak periods. Last Christmas I covered the shift lead role for six weeks and we finished peak with the highest pick rate on site. I'm trained on [warehouse system], hold a counterbalance forklift licence, and I've trained 12 new starters, most of whom are still with the company. I also spotted that our returns area was causing delays, suggested a new layout, and it now clears the same day.
I'd like to work for [company] because of the way you promote from within, which I read about in your careers pages, and because your new site will be the busiest in the area.
I'd welcome the chance to talk about the role and I'm available for interview at short notice. Thank you for your time.
Yours sincerely,
Jordan Smith
Mistakes that get cover letters skipped
- Starting with "My name is…" They can see your name. Start with the job.
- Repeating your CV line by line. Pick the two or three things that matter most for this job and explain them.
- Talking about what you want ("this role would help me grow") more than what you'd bring.
- The wrong company name left in from the last application. Check it twice.
- American spelling and dates for a UK employer. Use UK English and write dates as 4 November 2026.
- Going over one page.
Frequently asked questions
- How long should a cover letter be in the UK?
- No more than one side of A4, which is usually 250 to 400 words in three or four short paragraphs. Recruiters skim, so every sentence has to earn its place.
- Who do I address a cover letter to?
- Use a name if the advert gives one ("Dear Ms Patel"). If it doesn't, check the company website or LinkedIn for the hiring manager. If you still can't find a name, "Dear Hiring Manager" is fine. In UK style, "Dear [name]" ends with "Yours sincerely" and "Dear Hiring Manager" ends with "Yours faithfully".
- Do I still need a cover letter if it says optional?
- Yes, send one. A short, specific letter is one of the easiest ways to stand out from applicants who only attach a CV.
- Should I use the same cover letter for every job?
- Keep a base version, but change the opening and the middle paragraph for each job so they match that advert's wording and the employer's own priorities. Generic letters are easy to spot.
- Can I send a cover letter in the body of an email?
- Yes. Paste it into the email and attach your CV as a PDF. Use the job title and reference number in the subject line.
Want your CV and cover letter done for you?
TCH Works rewrites CVs to a clear UK standard and writes cover letters for the job you're actually applying for. A CV rewrite is £25. CV plus a cover letter written for your target job is £40. The full pack, adding your LinkedIn headline and About section, is £60. You get Word and PDF files within 2 working days, and we never add experience you don't have.