Writing a cover letter can be overwhelmingespecially if you’re not a confident writer or practised in applying for jobs.
Don’t worryâ all good cover letters follow a similar structureand on this pagewe’ve created a template that you can use to write an impressive cover letter that reads professionally and maximises your chances of getting to the job interview stage.
Basic cover letter template
Here’s a general-purpose cover letter template you can quickly personalise to apply for any job:
How to use this cover letter template
It just takes a few simple steps to align this template with the needs and expectations of your target employer:
- Replace the information in [brackets] with your own
- Check the job description to make sure you’ve prioritised your most relevant strengths and achievements
- Tweak the language by mirroring any relevant recruitment keywords that the employer used
- Double-check for spelling and grammar mistakes
- Save as a PDF and attach to your job application email
Remember that proper research is essential to the process of writing an impressive cover letter. Before you start modifying your templatemake sure you understand the employer’s core businessvaluesand company culture. Look for recent news or achievements that relate to your target position. Specificity shows that you’re paying close attention.
Build a standout cover letter in just a few clicks using our cover letter builder.
Example of a completed cover letter
This finished letter shows how you can personalise our template for a specific job opportunity. To find a sample that has been tailored to your target job titlecheck out our library of cover letter examples for different UK industries.
Cover letter templates (by type)
The best cover letters follow the same basic formulabut in some situationsyou’ll need to alter your approach to make the right impact on the employer.
Use the simple cover letter templates below if you are:
- Enquiring about jobs at a company that isn’t actively hiring
- Applying for a job recommended to you by someone in your network
- Writing a short cover letter to attach to an informal job application
- Changing careers and want to give more context to your application
Speculative cover letter template
You write a speculative cover letter to ask about job opportunities at a company that isnât actively hiring for a specific position. The template below will help you highlight your career goals and interest in the employerensuring your outreach letter is memorable and compelling.
Referral cover letter template
You should write a referral cover letter if you’ve been referred to the company by a current employee or mutual contact who is knowledgeable about your niche or industry.
Mention your referral in your cover letter introductionand clearly explain why they referred you or why you decided to follow up on the referral.
Short cover letter template
Short cover letters are ideal for informal job applications or when the employer already has a positive impression of you. They tend to be 150â250 words or a couple of paragraphs in length.
Use this template to get to the point and establish your most relevant strengths and interests in the position.
Career-change cover letter template
If youâre changing careersexplaining the reasons for your transition can help you gain the employerâs confidence.
Use the following career change cover letter template to show your career development and the steps youâve taken to prepare yourself for your target role.
Online cover letter templates you can personalise
You can modify these templates’ colour and formatting in our cover letter builder. Click on your preferred design to get help describing your skills and reasons for applying in persuasive language.

Coventry

Wells

Bristol

Canterbury

Inverness

Chester

2025

York

Westminster
These templates are quick and easy to personalise in our cover letter builder. Answer a couple of questions about your skills and backgroundand the software will handle the rest.
Free cover letter templates you can download and print
If you’d like a predesigned cover letter template that’s both professional and attention-grabbingwe offer several free options you can download for Microsoft Word or edit right away in Google Docs.
These templates offer simpleeye-catching designs to help your cover letter stand out without being distracting from what you have to say.

Cambridge

Hawking

Stirling

Imperial

Metropolitan

Manchester

Snowdonia

Zetland

Windermere
Frequently asked questions
What is a good format for a cover letter?
A good cover letter is 3â5 paragraphs long and outlines your primary qualificationsthe strengths you will bring to the team if hiredand your reasons for wanting the job.
Use this cover letter format:

How long should a cover letter be?
Your cover letter should be 250â400 words long. A shorter cover letter length is appropriate if you know the employerbut a longer cover letter is never necessary. Your finished letter should never be longer than one side of A4.
What is a good opening line for a cover letter?
A good opening line for a cover letter gives a quick professional self-introduction and explains how you found the job. Here’s an example you can use as a template:
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am excited to apply for the position of Digital Marketing Manager (Reference: ABR20256181) as advertised on SocialJobs. With 3+ years of experience in content strategy and email marketingI would be an excellent fit for your team.
Include the job title and reference number (if one was provided). This information makes it easier for the employer to match your application to the correct vacancy. You never know if the employer is hiring for multiple roles.
Should I include my postal address and the firm’s address?
Including a postal address is only necessary if you plan on sending your cover letter by post. You don’t need to include your postal address or the company’s address if you plan on sending your cover letter by email.
How should I research the company before I start writing?
Start by quickly checking the company website and profiles on networking sites like LinkedIn and Glassdoor.
Make sure you have a clear understanding of the company’s main products or servicesmissionmarkets or regions it operates inand competitors or other key organisations in its niche.
You should also put yourself in the shoes of a customer or user and observe how they present themselves to their target audience. What is their brand personality like? What values do they emphasise?
Spend 15 minutes getting to know your potential employer and ask yourself what soft skills and personality traits you might need to fit in as a team member. Taking this approach will help make your letter more personal and authentic.







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