English cover letters: a complete guide for international applicants

An English cover letter is not a literal translation exercise. It is a one-page argument that connects your experience to the employer’s priorities. The strongest versions feel personal and direct, but every claim is supported by evidence.

What the letter adds to your CV

Your CV shows the timeline and evidence. The letter explains the connection: why this role, why this organisation and why your experience matters now. It can also clarify a move between countries, a career change, an employment gap or a motivation that would be awkward to place in a bullet point.

German-style letter vs English cover letter

Within English-speaking markets, there are nuances. US letters often use more explicit achievement language and energetic self-presentation. UK letters can be slightly more understated, but still expect clear evidence. International companies usually care more about clarity than perfect regional imitation.

A reliable six-part structure

1. Contact information: your name, phone, email, city and useful profile link. A full street address is usually unnecessary.
2. Salutation: use the hiring manager’s name if verified; otherwise use “Dear Hiring Team” or “Dear Recruitment Team.”
3. Opening: state the role and your most relevant reason for being a credible candidate.
4. Body: connect one or two achievements to the organisation’s needs.
5. Call to action: express interest in discussing the contribution.
6. Closing: use “Kind regards” or “Best regards.” In formal UK correspondence, “Yours sincerely” follows a named person and “Yours faithfully” can follow a generic salutation.

Open with relevance, not ceremony

The stronger version gives the reader an identity, a result and a company-specific connection in one sentence. It does not claim perfection; it offers evidence.

If you know the person

• Dear Ms Ahmed,
• Dear Mr Wilson,
• Dear Dr García,

If you do not

• Dear Hiring Manager,
• Dear Hiring Team,
• Dear Product Design Team,

Avoid guessing gender or marital status. “To whom it may concern” is grammatically acceptable but distant. A team-based salutation usually feels more current.

Build body paragraphs around proof

Use a simple pattern: need → evidence → relevance. Identify a challenge in the vacancy, show when you handled something comparable, and explain why that experience transfers.

One detailed example is stronger than four adjectives. Use numbers when they clarify scale, but never invent them. Scope can also be evidence: customer type, team size, countries, budget, frequency, complexity or turnaround time.

Complete adaptable example

Make the English sound natural

• Prefer active verbs: led, redesigned, analysed, reduced, launched.
• Use “I” when describing your contribution; it is normal in a letter.
• Keep sentences under roughly 25 words where possible.
• Choose one spelling system and stay consistent: organisation (UK) or organization (US).
• Avoid translating titles literally when an established English equivalent exists.
• Replace “I am responsible for” with a direct action and outcome.
• Do not call yourself “fluent” unless you can work comfortably at that level.

Final editing checklist

• The role and company name are correct everywhere.
• The opening contains evidence, not only enthusiasm.
• Each body paragraph answers a visible need in the vacancy.
• The letter adds context instead of repeating the CV.
• Tone and spelling match the target market consistently.
• The letter stays within one page and about 250–400 words.
• The close invites a conversation without sounding demanding.
• Contact links work and the PDF filename is professional.

Further reading: This original guide draws structural inspiration from OnlineLebenslauf’s German guide to English cover letters. Always follow the employer’s stated requirements.