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Source: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/applicationsinterviews/cl/ Parent: https://www.careers.manchester.ac.uk/applicationsinterviews/
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Writing a cover letter
Your covering letter acts as the introduction to your application and is your personal "sales pitch". Your CV contains the facts, the cover letter is about your motivation and fit for the organisation and role. You have no idea which the employer will look at first so make sure they are both strong. Use a cover letter with your CV to apply for advertised vacancies (unless the instructions state not to).
Consider attaching your cover letter as a separate PDF document to your email - research has shown that people are more likely to read an attached document than the body of an email.
See also:
Cover letter support
Step 1
- Use our Application and Cover Letter Pathway. Simply choose the module on cover letters, learn at your own pace, or complete the whole pathway, the choice is yours.
Step 2
- Book an Application Review appointment.
Cover letter structure
In brief you need 3 sections
- Why are you applying to this organisation? What makes them stand out from other similar organisations?
- Why are you applying for this role? Share your motivation for applying, show your understanding of the role.
- The skills and experience you have that match the job description.
Cover letter content
- Include a date to provide some proof of when it was submitted.
- Keep to a single page. Slight changes to margins and fonts are ok but keep it readable, professional and concise.
- Provide your contact details. In the past you would have would included your address and the recruiter's address are at the top of the letter. However, as most applications are now submitted digitally, this is no longer required.
- Go the extra mile. Mention how you research their company. LinkedIn conversations, panel sessions at Careers Fairs, networking with UoM graduates at the company etc.
- Start well. A named contact to start your letter is ideal, but can be hard to source. "Dear recruiter/recruiting team" will work if you need to.
- Don't skip the evidence. Just stating you’ve got the required skills will not be convincing. Provide context for where you developed your skills, and your letter gains more credibility.
- Be careful of using over-enthusiastic terms such as “overjoyed”, “ecstatic”, “passionate” when describing your emotions, try to keep to terms you would be happy using in a professional conversation.
- Mention the company. Do not write the generic application letter. Find reasons why you are applying to that firm, and tell them so.
- Use the reference number. Include it as part of your subject line, to make it clear which opportunity you're interested in.
- Keep your letter ending positive. If you started your letter writing to a named person, you should finish "Yours sincerely". Otherwise, it should end "Yours faithfully".
Further resources
- Our cover letter template to help you get started
- Example cover letter
- Active language Use our list of active words to help clarify your involvement in activities.
- Speculative cover letter advice
- Example cover letters on Prospects website
- Advice on how and when to disclose a disability
- Using AI
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