Cover letter template and builder

Common questions

Do I need a cover letter for every job?

Send one whenever the application allows it. A short, specific letter is often what separates two similar CVs — and for career changers or people returning to work, it is the place to explain the gap or the move.

What should the first line of a cover letter say?

The job you are applying for and where you saw it, then one specific reason you want to work for that employer. Skip 'I am writing to express my interest' openings that could be sent to anyone.

How long should a cover letter be in the UK?

Three or four short paragraphs, comfortably under one page — around 250 to 400 words. The reader is deciding whether to open your CV, not reading for pleasure.

What should a cover letter include?

The job you are applying for and where you saw it, one specific reason you want to work for that employer, two or three things you have done that match the advert, and when you can start. Everything else belongs in the CV.

Yours sincerely or yours faithfully?

Yours sincerely when you have addressed a named person (Dear Ms Patel). Yours faithfully when you have not (Dear Hiring Manager). The builder picks the right one for you.

Do I still need a cover letter if the application is online?

Often yes. Many application forms have a supporting statement or a 'why do you want this job' box, and the same paragraphs go straight in — use Copy text and paste them.

Is my letter stored anywhere?

Only in your own browser, so you can come back to it on the same device. It is never sent to us.

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