How to Start a Cover Letter (UK, 2026)

Wondering how to start a cover letter? Put your contact details at the top, greet the hiring manager by name, and open with one or two sentences that name the role and show why you are a good fit. Below is what the opening should include, how to greet the employer, and eight UK examples you can adapt. For the full structure, see our guide to writing a cover letter in the UK.

How to start a cover letter: what the opening should include

1. Your contact details: name, phone number, professional email address and, optionally, your LinkedIn profile. In the UK you do not need a full home address.
2. The date and the recipient’s details: the hiring manager’s name, job title and company. If you send the letter in the body of an email, you can leave this out.
3. A greeting: “Dear Ms Patel” or “Dear Hiring Manager”.
4. A first paragraph that does three things: names the job you are applying for, says where you found it, and gives one reason you are a strong fit.

How to start a cover letter greeting

Use the person’s name if you can find it. Check the job advert, the company’s LinkedIn page or the careers site. Use their title and surname: “Dear Mr Evans” or “Dear Dr Hall”. If you cannot find a name, use “Dear Hiring Manager” or “Dear [Company] Recruitment Team”. Avoid “Dear Sir/Madam” and “To whom it may concern”, which feel dated. More options in our guide to addressing a cover letter without a name.

Cover letter opening examples

Replace the details in brackets with your own.

1. Standard: “I am writing to apply for the [job title] role at [company], advertised on [site]. With a degree in [subject] and experience in [skill], I am keen to contribute to your team.”
2. Graduate: “As a [subject] graduate from [university], I am excited to apply for your [scheme] graduate scheme. My dissertation on [topic] and my experience as [society role] have prepared me well for this role.”
3. Career changer: “After five years in retail management, I am moving into [new field]. The leadership and customer skills I built there are a strong match for the [job title] role at [company].”
4. Referral: “[Name], a [job title] at [company], suggested I apply for the [job title] role. Our conversation about [topic] confirmed that my experience in [skill] fits what your team needs.”
5. Company-led: “I have followed [company]’s work on [project] for some time, so I was delighted to see the opening for a [job title]. I would like to bring my [skill] to the team.”
6. Achievement-led: “In my last role I increased [result] by [number]%. I would like to bring the same focus on [skill] to the [job title] role at [company].”
7. No experience: “I do not yet have paid experience in [field], but my volunteering at [place] taught me [skill], which is central to the [job title] role.”
8. Short and direct: “Please accept my application for the [job title] role. I bring [number] years of experience in [skill] and a track record of [result].”

Tips for a strong opening

• Name the job and the company in the first sentence. The reader should know straight away what you are applying for.
• Avoid clichés such as “I am writing to express my interest” or “I am a hard-working team player”. Say something specific instead.
• Show what you offer, not just what you want. Give one skill or result that matches the advert.
• Keep it to two or three sentences. The whole letter should fit on one page.
• Match the tone of the company. A law firm wants a more formal opening than a start-up.
• Do not repeat your CV. Use the first paragraph to say why this job and this company.

For free, impartial advice on applications, you can also use the National Careers Service.

What to do next

After the opening, move into the body: pick two or three achievements that match the job, then close and sign off the letter. If you have little experience, see how to write a cover letter with no experience. Short on time? Our AI cover letter generator can create a first draft, which you can then edit.

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