The Do's and Don'ts of Effective Cover Letters
Submitting a cover letter with your CV is usually the first chance you will get to impress a future employer or manager. Remember that whoever is in charge of recruiting will often have seen dozens of applications before they get round to looking at yours.
Research shows 49% of employers say a strong cover letter can convince them to interview an otherwise weak candidate. So, if you want to improve your chance of employability once you’ve completed your time with ushere’s a quick guide to making a great first impression:
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is your first chance to make a strong impression to a potential employer. It’s an introduction to your CV, a way to highlight your most relevant skills and work experiences while also showing your personality and enthusiasm for the specific job.
It's your opportunity to go beyond the bullet points on your CV and explain why you're a perfect fit for the role and the company. Essentially, a good cover letter answers the question, "Why should they hire me?" It's a crucial part of your job application and shouldn't be overlooked!
What is the difference between a CV and cover letter?
A CV is a document outlining your education, work experience, skills, and achievements. It's a factual record of your professional journey, providing a detailed overview of your qualifications. While a CV can be slightly adjusted for different roles, it remains largely consistent - this way, you don’t have to keep changing it every time you submit it to an employer.
A cover letter, on the other hand, is a personalised introduction tailored to a specific job and company. It's your chance to highlight the most relevant aspects of your CV and explain why you're the ideal candidate for that particular position.
A cover letter allows you to connect your skills and experience to the company's needs, demonstrate your enthusiasm, and showcase your understanding of the role and the organisation. Crucially, each cover letter should be unique and crafted specifically for the job you're applying for.
A strong CV and cover letter is the best path to employability! Learn more about CV writing on our blog: The Best Tips To Get Your CV Work-Ready.
Tips for writing a cover letter:
Do’s of cover letter writing
DO structure your letter carefully
Include your name and contact information at the top as well as those of the employer. (There are lots of templates online which will show you the basic layout.) Then stick to using three or four paragraphs in the main body of the letter.
Begin by saying what you are writing with reference to and what you are enclosing/attaching.
Then go on to why you’d like the job, why your skillset (be specific) makes you a strong candidate for the role and what you could bring to the organisation.
You might want to list some key strengths as bullet points. Finish by thanking the employer for their consideration and say you would be happy to come for an interview in order to discuss this further.
DO make sure you spell the recipient’s name correctly
If you don’t know whether they are Mr or Mrs, for example, put “Dear…,“ together with their full name. If you don’t know their name, address the letter to “Dear Hiring Manager,” rather than the old-fashioned “To Whom It May Concern”.
DO check for spelling or grammatical mistakes
Careless mistakes are an absolute no-no. Another way to check what you have written is to slowly read it out loud. You may well hear the mistake before your eyes notice it. Use a font that is friendly on the eye such as Arial 12.
DO tailor your cover letter to the employer
Tailor your cover letter to each employer. Research their mission and culture and carefully read the job description. Then, show how your skills directly address their needs. Mention relevant projects or accomplishments that align with their work. Demonstrating that you understand their specific requirements will make your application stand out.
DO keep it short
Keep your cover letter concise and easy to read. Hiring managers are busy and often review many applications. A short, focused letter allows them to quickly grasp your key qualifications and why you're a good fit. Avoid jargon and overly complex sentences. Use clear, direct language to highlight your most relevant skills and experience.
DO showcase your successes
Don't just list skills; prove you have them. Identify a key challenge the employer likely faces (based on the job description or company research). Then, briefly describe a past accomplishment where you successfully tackled a similar challenge.
Quantify your results whenever possible (e.g., "Increased sales by 15%," "Reduced customer complaints by 20%"). This demonstrates your ability to deliver and directly addresses their needs.
Don'ts of cover letter writing
DON’T submit the same letter with every job
Your cover letter needs to be tailored to the position you are applying for. Only include relevant information about yourself that would be useful for that job in particular.
DON’T forget your professionalism
Maintain a professional tone throughout your cover letter. While showcasing your personality is encouraged, especially by highlighting shared passions with the company, avoid excessive flattery or forced humour. These can easily misfire and detract from your overall professionalism.
Focus on demonstrating how your personality and work ethic align with the company's culture and values in a genuine and respectful manner.
DON’T get lost in the details
Details will be on your CV and the employer will read this if you capture their interest. Showcase your skills in one or two sentences and say why you would be an asset to the organisation. Don’t waffle. A good cover letter should take up just one page.
How long should a cover letter be?
A cover letter should be between 250 and 400 words, divided into three to six paragraphs. Keep it concise and avoid unnecessary jargon or rambling. If you're new to the workforce, a shorter, simpler letter focusing on your key skills and enthusiasm is perfectly acceptable. The goal is to clearly and effectively communicate your main qualifications and why you're a good fit for the role.
Cover letter example template
[Your Name] [Your Phone Number] [Your Email Address]
[Date]
[Hiring Manager Name (if known), or "Hiring Team"] [Company Name] [Company Address]
Dear [Mr./Ms./Mx. Last Name or Hiring Team],
I am writing to express my enthusiastic interest in the [Job Title] position at [Company Name], as advertised on [Platform where you saw the ad]. I have been consistently impressed by [Company Name]'s [mention something specific you admire – e.g., commitment to innovation, work in a specific area, company culture]. My [Number] years of experience in [Relevant Field] and my passion for [Relevant Area] align perfectly with the requirements outlined in the job description.
In my previous role as [Your Previous Role] at [Your Previous Company], I gained valuable experience in [List 2-3 key skills/responsibilities]. For example, I [Describe a specific achievement that demonstrates a relevant skill and ideally quantify it]. I am confident that my skills in [List 2-3 key skills] and my ability to [Mention a key strength] would be a valuable asset to your team.
I am particularly drawn to [Company Name]'s [Mention something specific that excites you about the company or the role – e.g., specific projects, company values, opportunities for growth]. I am eager to learn more about this opportunity and discuss how my skills and experience can contribute to [Company Name]'s success.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely, [Your Name]
Careers advice at The Manchester College
A good cover letter will make an employer want to read your CV. Even if you’re using a jobsearch provider such as CV library, where you can automatically forward your CV to suitable employers with one click, make sure you always upload a cover letter to be sent with it. It really can make the difference between being called for an interview and forever waiting for that phone call or email to arrive.
At TMC, we equip graduates with the skills and qualifications needed for successful careers. Our courses emphasise hands-on learning and real-world experience with employer partners, giving you plenty to highlight in your cover letters.
Our career advisors are here to support you every step of the way, so don't hesitate to contact them for assistance. Ready for an exciting career? Explore our courses and enroll today!