Many entry-level candidates assume that their job application will be rejected, as they don’t have previous work experience. But this is a misconception.
With a strong cover letter, you can highlight your motivation to start a career while explaining how your relevant coursework and skills from previous college projects, volunteer work and internship present you as a strong candidate. Plus, it also serves as your first work sample, highlighting your writing and communication skills.
Now, if you are wondering what a cover letter is, it is a separate document submitted along with a CV. It professionally explains the narrative of your qualification journey to the recruiters.
In this guide, you will learn about beginner cover letter format and can draw inspiration from sample examples and editable templates to prepare yours. Keep reading.
Key Takeaways on Beginner Cover Letter Format
- A Beginner cover letter has 4 sections (header, salutation, core cover letter content and sign-off).
- A cover letter for a beginner should ideally be around 250–400 words (fits an A4-size page).
- Those new to the workforce with no experience should highlight their transferable skills from their previous degrees, volunteering or internship.
- The cover letter should be ATS-optimised for the specific job applied for. Proper evaluation of the job description and target company research is essential.
What to Include in a Beginner Cover Letter?
Since your CV might be thin on experience and your career journey is just about to start, your cover letter should act as a bridge between your studies and the workplace by highlighting the transferable skills. To demonstrate your suitability and potential, include the following:
| What to include | Key Mentions | Why? |
| Applied Academic Achievements | Apart from degrees, mention:
| Demonstrates your ability to turn theoretical knowledge into practical solutions. |
| Active Extracurricular Involvement | Participation in
| Provides concrete evidence of your reliability skills, such as
|
| Targeted Professional Development | Mention any
| Shows your possession of
|
Apart from the skills, you need to add:
- Your name and contact information
- The date of application
- A direct statement of intent (why do you want the job)
- Company alignment details (research showing why you are excited about this company)
- A strong call to action asking for an interview
In the next section, we will discuss how an entry-level cover letter format organises these details.
What is the Correct Cover Letter Format for a First Job?
The basic cover letter structure for a beginner includes: Header, Salutation, Cover Letter Body, and Sign Off. Here’s a complete step-by-step guide for how to write a cover letter following the standard cover letter format for first job:
1. Header and Contact Information Format
This section comprises three elements:
a. Personal Details
Your personal details appear at the top of the right side of the page (recommended). This includes:
- Full Name
- Phone Number
- Professional Email Address
b. Date
Next, you need to add the date of application. The rules:
- This comes after the personal details (on the right side)
- Always use the standard UK date format (DD/MM/YYYY)
c. Recipient’s Details
It appears on the left side, after the personal details and date on the right. This section includes:
- Full Name of the hiring manager (or Head of Department)
- Job Title
- Company Name
- Company Address
Here’s a header example of a cover letter layout for beginners:
2. Salutation (Greeting)
If you know the hiring manager’s name, use:
- “Dear [First Name]” or “Dear Mr/Ms [Surname]”.
If the name is unknown, use:
- “Dear Sir or Madam” or “Dear Hiring Manager”.
3. Cover Letter Core Content
This section generally includes four paragraphs. Each paragraph serves as an important part to convey different ideas:
| Core Parts | The Idea | What to Mention |
| Opening Paragraph | Introduction |
|
| Second Paragraph | What You Bring | Connect your suitability for the job by describing transferable skills from
|
| Third paragraph | Why You Want This Company | Explain
|
| Closing Paragraph | Call to Action |
|
4. Sign-off
In this final section, end your cover letter with “Yours sincerely” (if the hiring manager’s name is addressed in the salutation) or “Yours faithfully” (if “Dear Sir or Madam” is used), followed by your full name underneath. Add a signature above the name.
Here’s a complete visual of a cover letter layout for beginners:
You can also seek cover letter writing services from a professional writer for a polished copy. Professional writers adhere to format guidelines as per UK standards while helping with grammatical accuracy, JD alignment and ATS-optimised content. To know more, contact iCover today!
How Long Should a Beginner Cover Letter Be?
A beginner cover letter should be 250 to 400 words long, fitting onto a single A4 page. Here’s a word breakdown for the core content body
- Opening paragraph: 50 words
- Body Paragraphs: 150+75 words
- Closing paragraph: 50 words
Concise writing respects the recruiter’s time and keeps your key competencies clear.
7 Important Tips for Cover Letter Format for Entry Level Positions `
Now that you have understood how to format a cover letter for beginners, there are certain things to keep in mind to avoid potential mistakes:
1. Always Read The Job Description Thoroughly
Make sure your cover letter is aligned with the job description.
Go through the JD properly and learn about the requirements for the vacancy at the organisation. Use those required skills as keywords to optimise your cover letter. If your cover letter isn’t optimised, it may be filtered out by ATS screening if employers are using one.
2. Company Research
According to the career advice by the National Careers Service UK, letting employers know that the candidate has researched the company shows professional enthusiasm. The best ways to research a target company where you wish to work are:
- Going through their official website
- Checking out their recent news and articles
- Connecting with existing employees of that company
3. Margins
The margins on all four sides (top, bottom, left, right) should be set at the standard 1-inch (2.54 cm). They provide ample white space and an uncluttered look. In case you need to squeeze in a few extra lines, drop them to 0.75 inches, but not less.
4. Alignment
The text must be left-aligned for ATS scannability. Do not use Justification. It creates massive, uneven white spacing, also known as “rivers of white”. This simply looks ugly and unprofessional.
5. Font and Size
Always go for a clean and standard font. Popular choices for the UK market include:
- Arial
- Calibri
- Verdana
- Georgia
- Lora
- Times New Roman
Also, keep the font size between 10 and 12 pts. However, your name in the header can be slightly larger (14–16 points) to stand out. But bolding is often enough. Make sure the entire document has the same font and size. Also, it must match your CV’s font.
6. Space
Use single spacing (1.0) or 1.15 spacing between lines. Avoid double-spacing; otherwise, the letter will look padded. For paragraph spacing, leave only one blank line in the middle.
In the sign-off section, leave three blank line spaces after “Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully”. This gives you room for a physical or digital signature.
7. Always Proofread
Lastly, do not skip the proofreading part. Go through your cover letter multiple times to detect grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, spelling mistakes, etc. Have it reviewed by your friend, family member, college or mentor.
Make sure it is written in UK English. For example, “organized” must be fixed to “organised”.
Also, make sure the qualifications, skills and achievements you have mentioned in this section match your CV details. Remove any buzzwords or informal language.
You can always take career services from experts to prepare your CV, cover letter and personal statement, and to optimise your LinkedIn profile.
Ready-To-Use Beginner Cover Letter Template `
Here’s an editable beginner cover letter template that you can tailor according to your job application:
[Your Full Name]
[Your Phone Number]
[Your Professional Email Address]
[DD/MM/YYYY]
[Hiring Manager’s Full Name]
[Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Company Address]
Dear [Mr/Ms Surname] / Dear Sir or Madam,
I am writing to apply for the position of [Job Title], as advertised on [where you saw the job advert]. I recently completed my [Degree Name] from [University/College Name], and I am very enthusiastic about beginning my career with [Company Name].
While this would be my first role in a professional [industry/field] setting, I have built a solid foundation of relevant skills through my studies and extracurricular activities. [Mention a specific academic project, dissertation, or coursework relevant to the role]. I have also completed [certification/training course name], giving me working knowledge of [relevant skill]. Alongside my studies, I [internship/volunteer role/society position], where I [specific achievement or responsibility, with a number or result if possible].
I am particularly drawn to [Company Name] because of [something specific about the company — their reputation, values, projects, or culture]. [Explain how your own skills, qualifications, or values align with theirs]. I would relish the opportunity to bring my [skill/quality], along with my eagerness to learn, to the [Job Title] role.
I have attached my CV for your review and would be delighted to discuss my application further at the interview.
Yours sincerely / Yours faithfully,
“Signature”
[Your Full Name]
Beginner Cover Letter Format Examples
Looking for samples for inspiration? Here are some excellently crafted beginner’s cover letter format examples for various entry-level roles.
1. Simple Cover Letter Format for Beginners (Retail Sales Assistant)
2. Modern Cover Letter Format for Beginners with No Experience (Junior Software Developer)
3. Minimalist Easy Cover Letter Format for First Time Job Seekers (Office Administrator)
4. ATS-friendly Beginner Cover Letter Format Example (Trainee Accountant)
5. Classic Cover Letter Format for Students with No Experience (Marketing Internship)
6. Bold Beginner Cover Letter Format Sample (Junior Graphic Designer)
Conclusion
Hopefully, this step-by-step cover letter format for beginners guide has been helpful. By following the right structure and focusing on their transferable skills, beginners can fill their experience gap. Make sure to keep the formatting tips in mind to avoid potential mistakes. Go through the examples and use the free template to write yours. Finally, take professional help from expert writers to help you produce a strong cover letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which file format is most suitable for UK job applications?
Unless specifically requested otherwise in the job advert, always export your cover letter as a PDF. This will allow your formatting, margins, and UK date alignment to stay the same on all devices. A Word document may sometimes change layout or give a red underlined spelling warning if the recruiter’s program is configured to US English, leaving your document looking unprofessional.
Can I include digital links to my LinkedIn or online portfolio within the letter?
Yes, but make sure they’re hyperlinked properly, without long, ugly URLs. A link to your LinkedIn profile or digital portfolio instantly shows a recruiter what you’re capable of, as most recruiters are viewing documents digitally. It’s best placed in your contact header rather than in the body of the text, to save on layout clutter.
What is the professional protocol for naming my cover letter file?
Do not use file names like “Cover_Letter.pdf” or “Draft_1.pdf”. Instead, follow a clear convention like “Full_Name_Job_Title_Cover_Letter”. This minor detail allows hiring managers to easily spot your documents in their downloads folder and shows that you are very organised and detail-oriented from the start.
Should I include my references or the phrase ‘References available upon request’ at the end of the letter?
Reference information and the ‘available on request’ statement should not be written on a cover letter. This information is often added on CV.
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