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How to write an email cover letter
What is an Email Cover Letter?
When you apply for a job, you usually send two important documents:
- Your CV – This shows your skills, education, and work experience.
- Your cover letter – A short letter where you explain why you want the job and why you are a good fit.
An email cover letter is a cover letter that you write inside an email instead of sending a separate file. It is usually shorter than a traditional cover letter.
An email cover letter has three important parts:
- Subject line – A short title so the employer knows what the email is about.
- Email body – Your short cover letter, written inside the email.
- Attachments – Your CV (and sometimes other documents).
Example subject line:
Application for Marketing Assistant – Maria Lopez
How to start and end your email
Start your email with a polite greeting:
- Dear Mr Jones, (if you know the person’s name)
- Dear Ms Smith, (use Ms unless you know they prefer Miss or Mrs)
- Dear Hiring Manager/Team, (if you don’t know the name)
⛔ Avoid informal greetings like “Hi there!” or “Hello!” in a professional email.
End your email with a formal sign-off:
- Yours sincerely, (if you addressed the email to a named person)
- Yours faithfully, (if you don’t know the name)
- Best regards, (modern and polite)
After the sign-off, write your full name. Below the name include the following information:
- Your Full Name
- Your Phone Number
- Your Email Address
- Your LinkedIn Profile (optional)
- Your Address (optional)
Plan your paragraphs
An email cover letter should be short and well-organised. You can write four short paragraphs:
1️⃣ Introduction – reason for writing
- State which job you are applying for and where you found it.
- Briefly mention your experience or background that makes you a strong candidate.
2️⃣ Your skills and experience
- Explain how your background has helped you develop important skills.
- Give a short example of your experience to show your abilities.
3️⃣ Your motivation for this job
- Say why you want this job and why you want to work for this company.
4️⃣ Closing – Thank you & next steps
- Thank the employer for their time.
- Say you are happy to discuss your experience in an interview.
Email example
Dear Hiring Manager,
I am applying for the Marketing Assistant position advertised on your website. I have two years of experience in digital marketing and a strong interest in social media.
In my previous role, I created social media content and helped with email campaigns. Working in this role, I improved my writing and design skills and gained valuable experience analysing marketing data and trends. My work on social media campaigns helped increase the company’s online following by over 30%.
I am excited about this opportunity because I have always admired BrightEdge Media Ltd’s innovative marketing, and I am confident my skills will contribute to your team’s success.
Thank you for considering my application. I have attached my CV, and I would be happy to discuss my experience in an interview.
Best regards,
Sofia Patel
[email protected]
07712 345678Useful Language for an Email Cover Letter
Reason for writing
- I am writing in response to… [your advertisement for a Marketing Assistant]
- I am writing to express my interest in… [the Marketing Assistant position advertised on your website]
- I would like to apply for… [the Marketing Assistant position advertised on your website]
- I am interested in applying for… [the Marketing Assistant position advertised on your website]
Mentioning your experience
- I have [X] years of experience in [Marketing/Design/etc.]
- I have worked in [Marketing/Design/etc.] for [X] years.
- I have been working in [Marketing/Design/etc.] for [X] years.
Mentioning your interests
- I have a strong interest in…
- I have a passion for…
- I am highly interested in…
Mentioning what you used to do in your last job
- In my previous role, I…
- At [Company], I contributed to…
- As part of my role at [Company], I was responsible for…
Talking about skills you developed
- Working in this role, I improved my skills in…
- This experience helped me build strong skills in…
- Through this experience, I have developed expertise in…
Expressing enthusiasm for the job
- I am excited about this opportunity because…
- I have always admired [Company Name]’s work in…
- I believe this role is a great match for my skills and experience.
- I would love the opportunity to contribute to your team and grow professionally.
- This position aligns perfectly with my career goals.
Thanking the employer & mentioning next steps
- Thank you for considering my application.
- I have attached my CV for your review.
- Please find my CV attached for your reference.
- I would be happy to discuss my experience in an interview.
- I look forward to hearing from you.
Key Tips for Writing in a Formal Style
Use full forms, not contractions
I’m writing to apply for… → I am writing to apply for… - I’ve attached my CV. → I have attached my CV.
Be professional and avoid informal words
- I wanna work for your company. → I would like to apply for this position.
- Let me know if you want to chat. → I would be happy to discuss my application with you.
Use clear and structured sentences
- Keep your writing concise and well-organised.
- Each paragraph should have one main idea.
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