Writing Effective Covering Letters

This information complements our CV guide and focuses on writing effective covering letters. A well-crafted covering letter can help you stand out and should be tailored for each application. Always include one with your CV or as an additional document if given the option. Use it to show enthusiasm, highlight relevant skills, and demonstrate knowledge of the employer.

Key points to consider

Keep the letter clear, concise, to the point, ideally one side of A4.

Cover letters are often skim‑read at the first stage, so each paragraph of your cover letter should guide the reader quickly to your main message. Lead with your key points, add concise evidence, and end by showing why it matters for the role. Aim for an ‘hourglass’ shape: strong opening, focused detail, strong closing. Vary your paragraph openings, starting each one with “I” feels monotonous and can make the tone seem self‑focused

Proofread to avoid spelling or grammatical errors.

Send the covering letter as an attachment and write a brief explanatory email.

It should be presented like a traditional business letter, including your address, the employer’s address and the date at the top.

On the next page we suggest a possible structure for an effective covering letter.

Example Covering Letter

Covering letters should be written from scratch each time, enabling you to tailor your application to the employer and role, highlighting the particular skills they are seeking.

Informing an employer of a disability at the application stageIt is your personal choice as to whether you want to mention your disability in your cover letter and there is no right or wrong answer.You may consider being open about a disability if it:

Explains gaps in your education or employment

Provides relevant context for academic performance or career progression.

Helps you request adjustments during the recruitment process (e.g. extra time for interviews, accessible formats, or alternative assessment methods).

Demonstrates strengths, skills, or experiences that are relevant to the role — for example, resilience, adaptability, problem-solving, or lived-experience insight that is valued in certain sectors (such as health, social care, or advocacy work).

You do not need to be open about a disability if:

It is not relevant to your application.

You would prefer to discuss it later in the recruitment process, such as at the interview stage.

If you do choose to be open about a disabilityKeep it brief and focus on impact rather than diagnosis. You don't need to go into detail about your condition — instead, mention any adjustments that have helped you succeed, or the skills you've developed as a result. For example, rather than describing a diagnosis, you might explain how you manage your workload effectively or approach challenges creatively.

Know your employment rights

Under the Equality Act 2010, employers in the UK cannot discriminate against you for disclosing a disability, and many operate schemes such as the Disability Confident Scheme, which guarantees an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria for a role. If you're applying outside the UK, it's worth checking the equivalent protections in that country.

Useful information and advice

My Plus Students’ Club: Disability Careers Guides
Careers appointment: Book a 1:1 appointment with a Career Development Adviser if you'd like support with your application.
See our guidance document ‘Useful Careers Resources for Students with Disabilities’ for further support with navigating disabilities and your career.

_{Further Information}

Prospects: Covering Letters

Newcastle University Careers Service – Covering Letters

LSE Careers – Cover Letters

Target Jobs – CVs, Applications & Tests

The following book can be borrowed from the University Library - Ultimate Cover Letters Yate, Martin John, author.; 2018 Fifth Edition.
(Use Surrey Search to check availability)

Finally

Don’t forget we are always happy to help you with every aspect of your career planning and development, wherever you are in your journey. If you're unclear about where to start or what to focus on first, book an appointment with our Career Development Advisers via the Surrey Employability Hub and we'll help you develop a plan to move forward.

Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion careers resources to find out more about diversity initiatives, employer perspectives and support at Surrey.

If you would like more information, visit MySurrey Help to find answers to the most common questions and details on how to ask us a question if you require more support.