The short answer
A good UK cover letter fits on less than one page, usually three to five short paragraphs. Open with the job you're applying for and the one reason you're a strong fit, spend the middle on two or three pieces of evidence that match the advert, say why you want to work for this employer, and close politely. Address it to a named person if you can. End with "Yours sincerely" if you've used their name, or "Yours faithfully" if you've written "Dear Sir or Madam".
Below are seven full examples for different situations, each with notes on why it works. Wondering whether to send one at all? Read do you actually need a cover letter? first.
The structure every example follows
- Opening (two or three sentences): the role, where you saw it, and your headline reason for applying. Skip "I am writing to apply for..." if you can start with something more useful.
- Evidence (one or two paragraphs): pick the two or three most important requirements in the advert and show, briefly, where you've done each one. Results and specifics beat adjectives.
- Why them (two or three sentences): something specific about the organisation, team or role that genuinely appeals to you. This is the part generic letters always miss.
- Close (one or two sentences): thank them, say you'd welcome an interview, and mention anything practical (availability, notice period).
The National Careers Service recommends the same basic shape, using the same font as your CV and writing a new letter for each job. If you're emailing your application, the email itself can be the cover letter. If you're uploading a document, put your name and contact details at the top.
All the people, employers and details in these examples are fictional. Use the structure and the kind of evidence, not the wording.
1. Part-time or Saturday job (school or college student)
Dear Ms Patel,
I'd like to apply for the Saturday Team Member job at Corner Crumb Bakery, which I saw in your window this week. I'm a Year 12 student at Hillside Sixth Form and I've wanted to work somewhere like yours since I started baking for my family.
For the past year I've helped run our school's Friday cake stall, serving long queues at lunchtime and handling cash and card payments. I also volunteer every Sunday morning at a charity shop, where I work the till and keep the shop floor tidy. I'm used to being on my feet, I'm always on time, and I enjoy talking to customers.
I'm available every Saturday and for extra shifts in the school holidays. My CV is attached, and I'd be very happy to come in for a chat or a trial shift.
Yours sincerely,
Grace Thompson
07700 900126
Why it works: short, specific and practical. It answers the manager's real questions (can you handle customers and cash, are you reliable, when can you work) and offers a trial shift, which small businesses often like. For more on CVs for this kind of job, see our part-time job CV guide.
2. Apprenticeship
Dear Mr Hughes,
I'm applying for the Level 3 Electrical Installation Apprenticeship at Brennan Electrical. I've been interested in electrical work since I helped a qualified electrician in my family wire a garden workshop, and a week's work experience with a domestic firm this summer confirmed that it's the career I want.
During that placement I prepared cable runs, labelled circuits and watched how installations are tested and certified. Alongside my A levels in Physics, Maths and Product Design, I work Saturdays in a DIY store's electrical aisle and haven't missed a shift in over a year. I'm careful, I like to understand how things work, and I'm comfortable with the maths involved.
I'm particularly keen on Brennan Electrical because of the mix of domestic and commercial work you do, and because your website shows several of your current electricians started as apprentices with you.
Thank you for considering my application. I'd welcome the chance to talk about it at interview.
Yours sincerely,
Kieran Walsh
Why it works: it proves interest with real experience rather than claiming passion, highlights the maths and reliability employers worry about, and gives a specific reason for choosing this firm. Our apprenticeship CV guide shows Kieran's full CV.
3. Graduate role
Dear Hiring Manager,
I'm writing to apply for the Graduate Policy Officer role at Northern Housing Partnership (reference GPO-114). I've just graduated with a 2:1 in Geography from the University of Sheffield, and my dissertation on flood risk and social housing gave me exactly the kind of evidence-based policy experience the role describes.
For my dissertation I analysed flood risk data across 400 postcodes in Excel and QGIS and interviewed four housing officers about how they prioritise repairs. I presented the findings to my department and wrote a two-page briefing for a non-specialist audience, which taught me how to turn data into clear recommendations. Alongside my degree I worked as a part-time supermarket supervisor for two years, managing weekend rotas for nine people, so I'm used to balancing priorities and deadlines.
Your recent report on damp and mould in older housing stock is the reason I want to work for you specifically: it's the kind of practical, tenant-focused research I'd like to build a career in.
Thank you for your time. I'd be glad to discuss my application at interview.
Yours faithfully,
Hannah Price
Why it works: it uses the dissertation as work experience, shows a skill (plain-English briefings) the job needs, and mentions a real piece of the employer's work. Note the sign-off: with "Dear Hiring Manager" and no name, "Yours faithfully" follows the traditional rule, though many employers now accept either.
4. Career change
Dear Ms Adeyemi,
After seven years as a secondary school English teacher, I'm moving into learning design, and your Learning Designer vacancy at Fernwood Training is the role I've been preparing for.
In teaching, I've designed courses for mixed-ability classes every term, and I built my department's online revision course, now used by around 180 students a year. That project taught me to break complex material into short, active steps and to improve content based on learner feedback, which matches the iterative design process in your advert. This year I completed a CIPD Level 3 certificate in Learning and Development, and I've built two sample e-learning modules in Articulate Rise, which you can see in my portfolio.
I'm drawn to Fernwood because you design training for frontline care staff. Making learning work for busy people with little time is something I've done every day in a classroom.
Thank you for considering my application. I'm available to start after the usual teacher notice period at the end of term.
Yours sincerely,
Laura Bennett
Why it works: it states the change up front and then translates teaching experience into the language of the new field, with proof (a qualification and a portfolio). It also deals with a practical concern, the notice period. Our career change CV guide covers the CV side.
5. Experienced professional
Dear Mr Collins,
I'm applying for the Finance Manager role at Ashdown Foods. I'm an ACCA-qualified accountant with nine years' experience in manufacturing finance, and I currently lead month-end and management reporting for a £60m food business.
Your advert highlights faster reporting, stronger cost control and a team that needs developing. In my current role I cut month-end close from eight working days to five by redesigning the reconciliation process and moving reporting into Power BI. I introduced product-level costing that identified £400,000 of annual savings in packaging and waste, and I manage three accountants, two of whom have since qualified with my support.
Ashdown's growth into own-label supply is the challenge I'm looking for. I've supported two similar contracts in my current business and understand the margin pressure and reporting they bring.
I'd welcome the chance to discuss the role. My notice period is one month.
Yours sincerely,
Daniel Okafor ACCA
Why it works: it mirrors the advert's three priorities and answers each with a result. For how a finance CV presents the same material, see the accountant CV example.
6. Returning to work after a career break
Dear Ms Rahman,
I'd like to apply for the part-time Payroll Administrator role at Westgate Council for Voluntary Service. I have six years' payroll experience and I'm returning to work after a three-year career break raising my children.
Before my break I ran monthly payroll for 350 staff at a manufacturing firm using Sage, including starters, leavers, statutory payments and pension submissions, with no late runs in four years. To make sure my knowledge is current, I've completed refresher training in the latest payroll legislation and spent the last six months doing the payroll for a small local charity as a volunteer.
The role's 20 hours a week and your work supporting local charities make it an ideal fit for me, and I'd be glad to bring the same accuracy to your team.
Thank you for considering my application. I'm available to start immediately.
Yours sincerely,
Sarah Malik
Why it works: the break is mentioned once, plainly, in the first paragraph, and the rest of the letter shows that her skills are current. For more wording ideas, see how to explain gaps in your CV.
7. Speculative letter (no advertised job)
Dear Mr Shah,
I'm a Level 3 qualified hairdresser with four years' salon experience, and I'm writing to ask whether you have, or expect to have, any openings for a stylist at Ivy & Oak.
I've followed the salon's work for a while, especially your colour work, and I'm keen to develop in that direction. In my current salon I've built a column of around 60 regular clients, and last year I completed an advanced colour course. I'm confident with consultations and work well on a busy Saturday with a full column.
I've attached my CV and a link to my portfolio. I'd be grateful for the chance to come in for a chat or a trade test, and I'm happy to wait for the right opening.
Yours sincerely,
Chloe Morgan
Why it works: speculative letters must explain why this employer in particular, say what kind of role you want, and make it easy to say yes to a small next step (a chat or a trade test). Keep them even shorter than an advertised-job letter.
How to tailor any example to your application
- Highlight the advert. Mark the three things that appear most often or first in the job description. Those are your middle paragraph.
- Match each with evidence. One result, project or responsibility for each. If you can't match one, don't pretend: focus on the others.
- Find one specific reason. Their customers, a project, a value they mention, a recent report or a new site. Two minutes on their website is usually enough.
- Cut. Remove any sentence that repeats your CV word for word, and anything that would fit in a letter to a different employer.
Common cover letter mistakes
- The wrong company name or job title, often left over from a previous letter
- Opening with "My name is..." (it's at the bottom of the letter)
- Repeating your CV line by line instead of choosing the best evidence
- Talking only about what you want from the job
- Going over one page
- "Dear Sir or Madam" when the advert names the hiring manager
- Not proofreading. Read it out loud before you send it
Cover letter checklist
- Under one page, three to five paragraphs
- Addressed to a named person if possible, with the right sign-off
- Job title (and reference number, if there is one) in the first paragraph
- Two or three pieces of evidence that match the advert's main requirements
- One specific reason for choosing this employer
- Practical details where useful: availability, notice period, start date
- Same font and style as your CV, saved as a PDF with your name in the file name
- Company name and job title double-checked
Write tailored letters faster
Mojo's cover letter builder writes a first draft from your CV and the job description, so you start from a tailored structure instead of a blank page. You'll still want to edit it so it sounds like you and includes your best evidence. It's one of the AI tools in your account: a free account comes with 3 AI tokens (one per letter), and the Job-ready pass or Pro gives unlimited use. Before you send anything, check your CV free so the CV behind the letter is just as strong.