The British covering letter (also called a cover letter in UK usage) is an expected part of most professional job applications in the UK. While some employers have moved to supporting statement-only applications (particularly NHS and Civil Service), most private sector, professional services, and SME employers in the UK still expect and value a well-crafted covering letter alongside your CV.
When a UK cover letter is required
- Always include one when explicitly requested — if the job advert says "please include a covering letter," this is a test of your ability to follow instructions. Not including one will end your application immediately.
- Include one for most professional roles even when not explicitly requested — for management, professional, and senior roles, a covering letter signals effort and genuine interest.
- May omit for: Online ATS applications that don't provide a covering letter field; mass retail/hospitality applications; temporary or agency-sourced roles.
UK cover letter format
| Element | Standard |
|---|---|
| Length | 3–4 paragraphs. One A4 page maximum. Shorter is usually better. |
| Font | Match your CV — Calibri or Arial, 10–11pt |
| File format | PDF, named consistently with your CV: Jane-Smith-Cover-Letter.pdf |
| Opening salutation | "Dear [Name]," if you know the hiring manager's name. "Dear Hiring Manager," if not. Never "To Whom It May Concern." |
| Closing | "Yours sincerely," (if you used their name) / "Yours faithfully," (if you used "Hiring Manager"). Then your full name. |
UK cover letter structure — paragraph by paragraph
Paragraph 1: The hook — one compelling reason you are the right candidate
Do NOT open with "I am writing to express my interest in..." — this is the most overused opener in the UK. Instead, open with your single strongest reason for being a strong candidate for this specific role.
"After five years managing procurement for a £200m FTSE 250 supply chain, I'm drawn to Unilever's Head of Category Management role because your stated ambition to reduce Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030 directly aligns with the supplier sustainability programme I've been leading since 2023."
Paragraph 2: Evidence — your two or three strongest, most relevant achievements
Connect your achievements directly to the requirements of the role. Use numbers. Avoid repeating your CV verbatim — add context and interpretation that the bullet points don't provide.
Paragraph 3: Why this company specifically
UK employers can immediately spot a generic covering letter that could have been sent to any employer. Show that you have researched this specific company — their recent news, their values, their challenges, their products. One specific, accurate reference to something the company has published or announced in the last 6 months demonstrates genuine interest.
Paragraph 4: Closing
Brief and confident. Express availability for interview. Do not beg, over-thank, or diminish your application. "I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my experience maps to your requirements — I am available for interview at your convenience."
What NOT to include in a UK cover letter
- Salary expectations (unless specifically requested)
- Reasons personal to you for wanting the role ("it would really help my development...")
- Repetition of your entire CV
- Unexplained gaps or pre-emptive apologies for your background
- Generic statements about being hardworking, passionate, or a team player
Sources: CIPD Recruitment practice guide (cipd.org, 2026); Reed CV and cover letter guidance (reed.co.uk, 2026); ACAS recruitment good practice (acas.org.uk, 2026)
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