How to write a great cover letter

So you’re applying for a dream job; you’ve sorted out your CV and now it’s time to write your cover letter. First thing’s first, don’t panic! Writing about yourself and your skills might feel tough to begin with, but it’s pretty simple once you know the basics. Here, we’re taking you through some essential tips to writing a standout cover letter. In 2025, many applications are moving online – sometimes with AI screening or short answer forms instead of a classic letter – but the basics stay the same: keep it clear, personal and tailored.

What is a cover letter, and why do you need one?

A cover letter is a more personal and detailed companion to your CV. In a few paragraphs, it’s a chance to highlight why you’re suitable for a role, and let a potential employer know more about your experience and skills.

It’s also an opportunity for you to stand out from the crowd. Not all recruiters ask for a cover letter, but it can make all the difference to whether you’re called for an interview.

These days, plenty of applications don’t use a traditional cover letter at all. You’ll often be asked to answer a few key questions in an online form. Treat each response like a mini cover letter – specific, personal and proof of why you’re a great fit.

Cover letters can take numerous forms – from being integrated as questions in an online application form, or writing it directly into an email, to a separate attachment.

What should a cover letter look like?

In most cases, a cover letter will be submitted as a digital attachment in PDF format. When you create this document, be sure to name it something simple like: ‘Application for junior designer–Jane Doe’.

As for the design, try not to overthink this too much, and take your visual cues from the design of your CV. Keep it simple, easy-to-read and give yourself enough spacing between paragraphs.

Some application systems still struggle with unusual file types – stick to PDFs with simple formatting and clear filenames to avoid any hiccups.

How long should it be?

Ideally it should just be a few paragraphs long – usually between 300–500 words, and no more than a page. This means you’ll want to keep things concise and waffle-free!

Before you start writing: Do your research

The first thing to note is the importance of tailoring each and every cover letter to the role you’re applying for. Never (and we repeat, never!) copy-paste the same letter for different jobs. This is where nailing your research comes in...

🤓 Get to know the company

We cannot stress enough how vital this is; you need to show that you’ve done the research. There are a few ways to do this:

Take note of the things you like about them and start thinking of ways to tell them this in your cover letter.

🧐 Understand what they’re looking for

Another key point is to carefully read and analyse the job description. Consider the following:

Note down examples of where you’ve used those skills, or have previous relevant experiences.

The cover letter: What should you actually write?

Before you start tapping away, it’s a good idea to have a solid structure to follow, such as:

Even if you’re answering set questions on an application form, you can still follow this flow. Think of each answer as covering one of these points: an opening hook, a few examples, then a short wrap-up.

We’re going to break down these elements below in a little more detail.

1. Greeting

It can be easy to assume that you have to sound ‘professional’ in a cover letter, but remember that this isn’t an academic essay. Write as you would naturally, and whatever you do, avoid writing “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To whom this may concern”.

Sometimes a company will provide details of who’ll be reading your application, but if you don’t know who to address it to, you could use something like:

2. Your opening paragraph

👋 Begin with a snappy intro

Next comes your introduction. Here you should mention:

Instead of just using the generic “I’m writing to apply for the role at Company…”, opt for something more personal and specific to you. Here are a couple of examples:

3. Your middle paragraph(s)

Use the middle paragraphs to show why you’re the perfect person for the position. Here you can demonstrate:

If you’re just starting out and don’t yet have loads of experience, don’t sweat it. It's totally normal for examples to come from uni projects, side gigs, freelancing or volunteering – it all counts as experience. And if you have heaps of experience, only highlight the best and most relevant parts. Think quality over quantity!

📚 Examples, examples, examples

We’ve all heard someone say they’re a ‘team player’, but have they proven this? Look back over those notes you made from the job ad. Identify two or three of the main skills or attributes they’re looking for, and match them with experiences that prove you have those skills, and be honest!

Here are some examples:

4. Closing paragraph and sign-off

Your closing paragraph rounds everything up. It should be short and sweet, somewhere between one to three sentences. This can be a chance to remind them how much you’d suit the role, thank them for their time and express your keenness to meet.

You can also mention that you’re happy to chat over Zoom or phone – many first interviews are still remote.

And when signing off, stick to a friendly and informal tone of voice. Rather than the age-old “Yours sincerely”, try “All the best” or “Best wishes”. Here’s an example:

Should you use AI to help write your cover letter?

It’s tempting to turn to tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini or other AI writers when faced with a blank page – and they can be genuinely helpful for getting started. A quick prompt might help you structure your thoughts, suggest phrasing or even highlight skills you’d overlooked.

But here’s the catch: most hiring managers can instantly spot generic, AI-generated language. Overly polished, impersonal or vague letters won’t help you stand out – they’ll just blend in.

A good approach is to use AI as a sounding board, not a ghostwriter.

Remember, the most compelling applications are personal – they show your actual enthusiasm, style and voice.

Before you hit ‘send’

🖨 Proof it!

Perhaps the most important step is to spell-check and proof-read your cover letter. The last thing you want is a typo slipping through the net, or a name spelled wrong – especially if they’re looking for someone with a “keen eye for detail”!

A good way to do this is to print your cover letter out, if you can. Reading a physical copy can make it surprisingly easy to spot typos that are easy to skim past on a screen.

🎤 Read it out loud

Reading your work out loud can give you a sense of how it feels overall. You’ll start to notice if sentences feel very long, or if you’ve repeated yourself – the stuff that goes amiss when reading in your head.

You could also run it through a free grammar checker or paste it into ChatGPT to spot clunky bits – just always give it a final human read.

You could also get a second opinion from someone you trust – they can proof it all and make sure it sounds like you. And remember, all this still matters whether you’re uploading a PDF or filling in short answer boxes on a form.

Then finally, proof it one last time, for luck. Once you’re feeling good about it, take a deep breath, and click ‘send’ or ‘submit’! 🤞

This guide was originally published in April 2021 and was updated by the Creative Lives in Progress team in July 2025.

Looking for more advice and tips? See our guide to creating a great CV here, and our full Guides series.

Stickers designed by Colin Graham.