This is your moment to show personality and genuine interest, and give the hiring manager a sense of who you are behind the CV.

Here’s how to write a cover letter that gets you noticed and into the interview room!

Address your cover letter to a person

Whenever possible, address your cover letter to a specific individual rather than using a generic greeting. It’s easy to find the names of recruiters or hiring managers online, and many recruitment consultancies (like ours) list the responsible consultant under each job role. Addressing your message to the right person will immediately show them that you are paying attention. 

Some people prefer to use just one name in their salutation, others include their full name. If you’re unsure, use their full name, and avoid adding titles (Mrs, Ms, Mx, Mr) unless you know their preference. A simple “Dear” or “Hello” followed by their name works well. 

Tell them why you’re writing

Recruitment consultants might be experts in scanning documents for the relevant information, but you’ll immediately enter their good books if you give them what they need up front. 

Recruiters are often hiring for several roles at once. If you’re responding to a specific advertisement, include the exact job title and mention where you found it. 

Example: “I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Client Support Manager (Asset Management), which I found on your website.”

This immediately helps the recruiter understand which role you’re interested in and how you heard about it. If you’re writing speculatively, say so clearly.

Tell them when you’re available

If you know you will be unavailable for a period of time, it’s helpful to mention it in your letter. This reassures the recruiter that any delay on your side has a reason. You should also tell them when you would be available to start work, too!  

Example: “I will be away 12-14 November but will be checking emails intermittently. I will be available to start work from 28 November.”

Tell them why the job interests you

Hopefully, you’re applying to the job because it sounds like a good fit for you! 

Show enthusiasm for the role and the company. In one or two sentences, mention what excites you about the opportunity or how the organisation aligns with your interests or values. This personal touch can make your application memorable. 

Quantify your experience

You don’t need to repeat everything from your CV, but providing a quantitative summary of your relevant experience helps recruiters gauge your fit quickly. Focus on the skills or achievements most relevant to the job description.

If the role is highly specialised or you don’t have much or any experience in that particular job, we recommend focusing on your years of experience in a skill that the job ad wants to see. Whenever possible, include achievements or measurable results as well. 

Example: “I have 8 years of experience in managing teams, leading a 12-person team to deliver 95% of projects on time.” 

Don’t be afraid to self-assess 

Use your cover letter to connect your skills and experience directly to the role. Choose two or three of the desirable qualities listed in the job description, and explain how you meet them with specific examples. 

Aim for a balance of hard and soft skills. For example, if you’ve already mentioned your excellent communication skills, follow up by highlighting your proficiency with a relevant tool or process the company uses. This shows depth and variety in your capabilities, as well as how close a fit you may be to the role’s requirements.

Confirm your attachments

Unless you’re using a special form, it is likely you will be attaching one or more documents to your email. It is good practice to inform your recipient what you have attached, to ensure they know what they are being asked to open and prevent confusion.

Our Managing Director Emily Aldrich also recommends double-checking that you have attached a CV with a clear and up-to-date file name! She recommends including your full name and what the file contains (CV or portfolio), followed by the month and year of submission, e.g. “JustineRodriguezCVNovember2025”

Example: “I have attached my CV and portfolio for your reference.” 

Thank them for their time

We can’t emphasise enough how important it is to remember one final line of appreciation. It’s a simple but powerful way to leave a positive impression.

Example: “Thank you for your time.” 

Or, if you are sending a spec applications, 

“Thank you for keeping me in mind for future opportunities.”

Some candidates include this line near the beginning of their email, which also works!

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Writing a great cover letter doesn’t have to be daunting. Focus on clarity, personalisation, and relevance — and you’ll make a strong first impression.

Does this article help you to understand what goes into a great cover letter? Keep an eye out for our next article on how to write a cover letter for a spec role!