Cover letter tips — what UK recruiters actually read

A UK cover letter is short, punchy and shows the reader — a busy hiring manager — three things: you understand the role, you have the specific track record for it, and you're a person they'd want on their team.

The 4-paragraph structure

• Paragraph 1 — Who you are and which specific role you're applying to.
• Paragraph 2 — One concrete achievement that maps directly to the job.
• Paragraph 3 — Why THIS company (not any company like it).
• Paragraph 4 — Confident, short close — availability + call to action.

Things to leave out

• 'I am a dynamic team player' and any cliché you've read on 100 other CVs.
• Your entire career story — that's what the CV is for.
• 'To whom it may concern' — 'Dear Hiring Manager,' is fine when a name isn't public.
• Excessive formatting — plain paragraphs, no tables, no bullets.

The best cover letters read like a short, confident recommendation from a friend — clear voice, specific proof, no fluff.