Writing an email cover letter – B2 English writing
Writing an email cover letter
When you apply for a job, you usually send two documents as attachments to your email:
- Your CV: a summary of your education, experience, and skills.
- Your Cover Letter: a short, formal message where you explain why you are applying and why you are a strong candidate.
An email cover letter is written directly inside the email instead of as a separate attachment. It should be short, polite, and well-organised, showing your professionalism and motivation.
Let’s look at this example task:
New Message
I am writing to apply for the Shop Assistant position at your accessories shop, as advertised on your website. Having worked in clothing stores, I have experience assisting customers, managing sales, and creating attractive visual displays.
Over the past few years, I have developed strong customer service and product presentation skills and have become a reliable and detail-oriented team member. I enjoy helping customers find the products they need, ensuring they have a positive shopping experience, and keeping the shop appealing and well-organised. I believe this experience makes me well-prepared to contribute effectively to your team.
What particularly attracts me to your shop is your range of stylish and unique accessories. I am also available to start immediately. I would be happy to work flexible hours in order to support your team during busy periods.
Please find my CV attached. I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss my experience in more detail.
Kind regards,
Ben Barnaby
How to start and end your email
The language you use should be formal and polite. Avoid informal openings such as Hi or Hello in job applications.
Greeting:
- Dear Mr Roberts
- Dear Ms Nguyen
- Dear Hiring Manager
Closing:
- Yours sincerely (if you know the person’s name)
- Yours faithfully (if you don’t know their name)
- Kind regards (neutral and professional)
After your sign-off, include your full name and contact details. You can also include your LinkedIn profile if relevant.
Plan your paragraphs
An email cover letter should be concise but sufficiently detailed, and is usually organised into four short paragraphs:
1️⃣ Introduction – reason for writing
Say what position you are applying for and where you saw the advertisement. Add a brief summary of your background or current situation.
2️⃣ Experience and skills
Give specific examples of your professional or academic experience. Use formal phrases to show achievements or responsibilities.
3️⃣ Availability and motivation for the job
Explain why you are interested in this company and why you believe you would be a good fit.
4️⃣ Closing – thanks and next steps
Thank the employer for their time and say you would welcome the opportunity to discuss your application further.
Useful language
Reason for writing
- I am writing in response to your advertisement for…
- I would like to apply for the position of…
Highlighting experience
- Having worked as…
- I have experience working in…
- With over three years’ experience in…
- I have developed strong skills in…
- In my current role, I am responsible for…
Talking about suitability
- I believe my background in… makes me particularly suitable for…
- I am confident that I can contribute to…
Showing motivation
- I am especially interested in this opportunity because…
- Your company’s focus on… particularly appeals to me.
- What particularly attracts me to this role is…
- I am particularly keen to/I am eager to…
- I am highly motivated to…
Availability
- I am available to start immediately / from…
- I would be happy to work flexible hours.
- I am available on a full-time / part-time basis.
Referring to attachments
- Please find my CV attached.
- I have attached my CV for your consideration.
Closing politely
- I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my application further.
- I look forward to discussing my experience in more detail.
- Thank you for your time and consideration.
- I would be very grateful for the opportunity to discuss my application in more detail.
Using B2 grammar to improve your cover letter
At B2 level, it is important to show that you can use a range of grammar structures in your writing. In a cover letter, these structures can help you express your ideas more clearly and make your application sound more formal and professional. Let’s look at some examples.
Participle clause = gives background information
Cleft sentence = adds emphasis
Inversion = makes the sentence more formal
Compound adjectives = combine words to describe nouns more precisely
New Message
I am writing to apply for an internship at your hair salon. I am very interested in gaining practical experience in advanced hair styling techniques, and I believe that it is my skills and enthusiasm that make me a suitable candidate.
Having completed my studies and practical training, I have developed strong skills in curl-cut styles and precise colour application. For example, during my recent college project, not only was I responsible for planning and executing three complete looks for special events, but I also ensured that each design met the clients’ expectations.
I am particularly keen to learn more about your salon’s signature techniques and to contribute positively to your clients’ experience. I am also highly motivated to join your salon because of its reputation for plant-based and chemical-free products. In addition, I would welcome the opportunity to be part of a high-performing team that contributes to its success. I am available to start from next month and can work full-time throughout the internship period.
Please find my CV attached. I would be very grateful for the opportunity to discuss my application in more detail.
Kind regards,
Sam Stanford
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