How to write an email cover letter

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:

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

Useful 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.