A cover letter is a short text that accompanies your CV and explains why you are interested in an opportunity and what experience or skills you can offer. Its value lies not in repeating your CV, but in connecting your profile with a specific need of the company.
In this guide, you will learn how to write a cover letter, with a step-by-step structure, a template to copy, an example for someone with no experience and another for a speculative application. You will also find out when it is worth sending one, what mistakes to avoid and how to use it alongside your professional CV.
In short: state which role you are applying for, explain two or three specific reasons why you are a good fit, and finish by making it easy to contact you. A generic letter sent to twenty companies usually says less than a few paragraphs tailored to a vacancy.
What is a cover letter and what is it for?
It is a professional introduction addressed to a company or recruitment contact. Depending on the instructions in the job advert, it can be sent as an attachment, entered in a field on the careers website or written as the body of an email.
It helps you highlight information that a CV does not fully explain: your motivation, a career change, how a project relates to the vacancy, or why you are interested in a particular company. It does not replace your CV or guarantee an interview.
A good letter simply answers three questions: what opportunity you are looking for, what you can offer and why you are interested in that organisation.
When should you send a cover letter?
It is particularly useful when the job advert asks for one, when you want to explain a career change, when looking for an internship or your first job, and for speculative applications where there is no specific vacancy.
If the careers website only asks for your CV, you do not need to attach extra documents against its instructions. If it provides an optional field for your motivation, you can use it for a shortened version of your letter. For roles where the application form contains specific questions, answer those questions first rather than repeating them word for word.
The best choice depends on the process: always follow the company's instructions.
Cover letter structure: a step-by-step guide
As a general guide, keep it to no more than one page. Europass recommends concise paragraphs, clear motivation and references to specific aspects of your CV that relate to the vacancy.
1. Contact details and recipient
If you are preparing a separate document, include your name, telephone number and professional email address. Add the date and, if you know them, the company and the person you are addressing. There is no need to include your DNI, full home address or other unnecessary personal details.
If you do not know who will receive the application, you can use “Dear Recruitment Team” or an equivalent professional greeting. Do not make up the recruiter's name.
2. Subject line and introduction
Explain which role you are applying for and why you are writing in the opening lines. For example: “I would like to apply for the administrative assistant role advertised on your careers website.”
For a speculative application, state the area or type of role you would like your profile to be considered for. This saves the reader from having to guess what kind of job you are looking for.
3. Relevant experience or skills
Use the second paragraph to provide specific evidence, not a list of adjectives. You could mention experience operating a till, coordinating teams, using software, internships or projects related to the role. A verifiable achievement is better than saying you are “the ideal candidate”.
If you have not worked before, talk about your education, internships, volunteering or projects. Do not claim years of experience you do not have.
4. Why you have chosen this company
Research what the company does and explain what interests you about it in relation to your career. A specific and relevant point usually works better than a generic phrase such as “it is a leading and prestigious company”.
There is no need to praise the company excessively. What matters is showing that you have a basic understanding of the work you would be doing.
5. Closing and sign-off
Finish by thanking the reader for their time and saying that you would be happy to provide more information in an interview. Use a professional sign-off and include your name. Avoid pressuring the reader with phrases such as “I look forward to receiving a call tomorrow” or assuming that you have been selected.
Cover letter template to copy and adapt
The following template is an editable example, not a letter to send without changes. Replace the details in square brackets and remove anything that does not apply.
[Full name]
[Telephone] · [Email address] [Town/City], [date] Subject: Application for [job title]Dear Recruitment Team:
I am writing to apply for the [job title] role advertised on [where you saw the vacancy]. I am interested in this opportunity because [specific reason related to the job].
Through my experience at/in [company, studies or project], I have developed skills in [two or three skills relevant to the role]. In particular, [real example of a task or achievement], an experience I believe would be useful in this role.
I would be pleased to bring these skills to the team at [empresa] and continue developing my career in [área profesional]. I have attached my CV for further information.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I would be pleased to attend an interview.
Yours sincerely,
[Nombre y apellidos]
Cover letter example for a job in a shop
Imagine you are applying for a customer service role. A useful letter might read:
Dear Recruitment Team:
I would like to apply for the retail sales assistant role. For three years, I have worked in customer service, shelf replenishment and till operations, responding to enquiries and resolving customer issues.
I am particularly interested in a role that combines advising customers, organising products and teamwork. I am used to busy periods and coordinating tasks with colleagues.
I have attached my CV and would be pleased to provide further information at an interview.
Kind regards,
Daniel Pérez
Tailor the experience you describe to what is true for you. Before submitting your application, consult Kurriku's company guides to find the right recruitment channel.
Cover letter example with no work experience
If you are looking for your first job, you can explain what you have learned and how it relates to the tasks required. There is no need to apologise for not having work experience.
Dear Recruitment Team:
I am applying for the office assistant role. I recently completed a vocational programme in Business Administration and Finance, and during my work placement I helped with filing, preparing documents and handling telephone enquiries.
I am proficient in Excel and office software, and I am keen to continue learning in an administrative environment. I believe my education and work placement will help me learn the procedures for the role quickly.
I have attached my CV and am grateful for the opportunity to take part in the recruitment process.
Yours sincerely,
Lucía Martín
If you would like to improve the layout of your CV for this type of application, read our guide on how to write a CV with no work experience.
Cover letter for a speculative application
When a company has no specific vacancy advertised, make it especially clear which area you are interested in and why it might be worth keeping your application on file.
Dear Human Resources team,
I am writing to express my interest in future opportunities in your company's logistics department.
I have worked in order picking, goods receiving and stock control. I would be pleased to bring this experience to a team where organisation and coordination are important.
I have attached my CV in case my profile is a good fit for future vacancies. Thank you for your consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Marta López
Before sending it, check whether the company accepts speculative applications. Some organisations only process applications for specific vacancies, so sending an unsolicited email may not be effective.
How to write a cover letter in the body of an email
If the vacancy instructions allow you to apply by email, you do not always need to attach a separate cover letter. You can use a short version in the body of your message.
Suggested subject line: “Office Assistant Application – Laura García”. The message can include a greeting, the role, two sentences about relevant experience, a reference to your attached CV and a sign-off.
Check that the recipient's email address is correct and that the file is actually attached. Never send personal or bank details that are not needed for an initial job application.
Cover letter in PDF or Word format?
First, check the company's instructions. If it requests a specific format, follow them. If no format is specified, PDF is usually a practical choice for preserving the layout, although some careers portals prefer text fields or editable files.
Give the document a professional file name, for example Cover-Letter-Laura-Garcia.pdf. Avoid using several versions named “final2-latest”, as this can cause confusion.
Common cover letter mistakes
- Repeating the entire CV word for word without explaining how it relates to the role.
- Sending the same letter without changing the company or vacancy name.
- Exaggerating your skills or inventing experience.
- Using long paragraphs, very small font or an excessively informal tone.
- Including generic claims without examples, such as “I always give 100%” or “I am perfect for the role”.
- Including unnecessary sensitive personal information.
- Failing to check the spelling, file name or recipient's details.
- Focusing on requirements or benefits that are not mentioned in the vacancy.
If you are unsure whether to add another sentence, consider whether it helps explain a skill the company is looking for.
Checklist before sending your cover letter
- ☐ I have identified the role or area I want to apply for.
- ☐ The company and vacancy names are correct.
- ☐ I have included one or two directly relevant examples of my experience.
- ☐ The letter does not repeat every point in my CV.
- ☐ There are no invented claims or unnecessary details.
- ☐ I have followed the format and application channel specified in the vacancy.
- ☐ I have checked the spelling, contact details and attachments.
Frequently asked questions about cover letters
Is a cover letter compulsory?
Not for every job application. It depends on the company's instructions or the recruitment process. If one is requested, it is best to tailor it to that opportunity.
How long should it be?
As a general guide, one page at most is usually enough. Europass recommends short paragraphs and focusing on your motivation and relevant skills.
Should I explain all my work experience?
No. Your CV already sets out your career history. In your cover letter, choose the examples that best explain why you are suited to the job.
Can I use the same template for several vacancies?
You can keep a basic structure, but review the introduction, highlighted skills and motivation before each application.
What should I do if I don't know the recruiter's name?
Use a general professional greeting, such as “Dear Recruitment Team”, rather than making up a name.
Can I send a cover letter if I have no experience?
Yes. You can highlight your education, internships, projects, volunteering and skills relevant to the vacancy.
Useful resources to support your application
To prepare a document that reflects your career history, start with your CV. If you need to provide evidence of your work experience, also read our guide to a letter of recommendation for work. Then, find companies in the Kurriku directory.
Recommended source: Europass: create a cover letter. Its tool lets you prepare letters in different languages and provides guidance on motivation, structure and keeping it concise.
