Graduate Cover Letters

How do you write a good graduate cover letter?

To write a successful graduate cover letter that will grab the employer's attention, we recommend you:

1. Keep it brief (no more than one page)
2. Start by writing about what position you are applying for and where you saw it advertised
3. Go on to talk about why you are suitable for the job, why you want to work for them, and what you can offer the company
4. Highlight any relevant experience and show how your skills and abilities match their job requirements. Mention any other strengths you think might be beneficial to the organisation.
5. Round off your letter with a brief summary of why you are interested in the role and indicate your desire to meet them in person for an interview. Thank them for their consideration and say that you look forward to their response.
6. Proofread and revise carefully - are there any spelling/grammar errors? Does the letter make sense? Do the paragraphs flow cleanly together? Remember, this will be their first impression of you, so it's important to get it right! If you're unsure about anything, ask a family member or friend to read it through for you.
7. Submit your graduate cover letter, along with your CV, on time before the deadline and wait for a reply.

For further advice, please see our Graduate Cover Letters Writing guide.

What is a targeted cover letter?

For every graduate role you want to apply for, you need to include a targeted cover letter. Sending off a generic letter won't work - employers will see at first glance you've made no effort and your application will go straight on the rejection pile.

As the name implies, a targeted cover letter speaks directly to the job you're interested in, using words and phrases that match the job description.

How can I target my graduate cover letter to specific roles?

To target your cover letter to each individual role you wish to apply for, you should:

1. Read the job description carefully and emphasise the skills that they are looking for
2. Explain how you have the experience and abilities they are asking for. This shows you have taken the time to explore the role thoroughly and tell them you know what they want.
3. Cross-sell your value if necessary by thinking about all the different work experience you have completed up until now and how you might apply to this particular company/industry
4. Give specific examples of what you've achieved and make sure these relate to the role you are applying, e.g. "I achieved a 15% increase in leads for X company last year".
5. Thank them for their time and consideration, and round off by indicating your interest to meet face-to-face and that you look forward to receiving a reply.

For more help and advice, please see our Targeting Your Cover Letter guide.