How to Start a Cover Letter

Why the opening matters

The first few lines of a cover letter set the tone for everything that follows. A clear, confident opening makes a reader more likely to read the rest of the letter carefully.

You do not need a clever hook or an unusual opening line. A plain, direct start that says who you are and what you are applying for works well for almost every everyday job application.

Getting the opening right also settles your own nerves once it is written, since the hardest part of any letter is often the first sentence.

If you are applying for several jobs at once, it can help to write your opening lines last, once you already know how the rest of the letter reads. That way the opening sets up the letter you have actually written, rather than the other way round.

Finding out who to address

Check the job advert, the company website, or the email it was sent from for a name. Many adverts name a specific manager or recruiter, particularly for smaller or local businesses.

If you are applying through a job board or an agency, a name may not be given at all. In that case, it is completely normal to use a general greeting instead, and no employer will hold that against you.

For a smaller local business, such as a shop or cafe, it is also reasonable to call or ask in person for the name of whoever is hiring, if you feel comfortable doing so. This is not necessary, but it can make your letter feel a little more personal.

Avoid guessing a name if you are not sure of the spelling or the correct title. Getting a name wrong looks worse than using a general greeting correctly.

Greetings that work

If you have a name, use 'Dear' followed by their title and surname, for example 'Dear Mr Ahmed' or 'Dear Ms Owen'. Only use a first name if the advert itself is written informally and uses first names.

If you do not have a name, 'Dear Hiring Manager' or 'Dear Recruitment Team' are both standard, accepted greetings for a UK cover letter. Neither will count against you.

Avoid outdated or overly stiff greetings such as 'To Whom It May Concern' where you can, since a slightly more personal greeting tends to read better without losing any formality.

• Dear Mr Ahmed / Dear Ms Owen (when you have a name)
• Dear Hiring Manager (when you do not)
• Dear Recruitment Team (for larger employers or agencies)

The first line

Your first sentence should say which job you are applying for and where you saw it advertised. For example: 'I am writing to apply for the Warehouse Operative role advertised on your company website.'

This might feel obvious, but it matters, since the person reading your letter may be looking at several adverts at once and needs to know immediately which one you mean.

Avoid starting with your name and background before the role itself. State the job first, then introduce yourself in the sentence or two that follow.

Adding a genuine reason for applying

After your first line, add a short sentence on why you are applying, kept specific rather than generic. For example, 'I have always enjoyed working in a fast-paced kitchen environment, and I was drawn to this role because of your focus on fresh, seasonal food.'

If you cannot think of anything specific to the business, focus instead on something specific about the role itself, such as the hours, the type of work, or the chance to build a particular skill.

Keep this part brief. One genuine sentence carries more weight than several generic ones about wanting 'a new challenge'.

Example openings for everyday jobs

Retail: 'Dear Ms Owen, I am writing to apply for the Sales Assistant position advertised in your shop window. I enjoy working directly with customers and have always admired the friendly service at your store.'

Care: 'Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the Care Assistant role advertised online. I have cared for a family member for several years and would like to bring that experience into paid care work.'

Warehouse: 'Dear Mr Field, I am writing to apply for the Warehouse Operative position advertised on your website. I am reliable, physically fit, and comfortable working early shifts.'

Hospitality: 'Dear Ms Fenn, I am writing to apply for the Kitchen Assistant role advertised on your recruitment page. I have worked in fast-paced kitchens before and enjoy the pace and teamwork that hospitality work involves.'

Cleaning: 'Dear Hiring Manager, I am writing to apply for the Cleaning Operative position advertised on Green Street Cafe's website. I take pride in high standards and am comfortable working early or late shifts.'

Matching the opening to the type of job

A slightly more formal opening tends to suit office, care and larger retail employers, while a smaller, informal local business may respond just as well to a slightly warmer, more direct tone.

Whatever the setting, the same basic rule applies: name the role and where you saw it first, then give one genuine reason for applying. The level of formality can shift a little, but the structure should not.

If the job advert itself is written in a relaxed, friendly style, it is reasonable to let your opening reflect that slightly, without dropping the greeting or becoming overly casual.

Mistakes to avoid at the start

Do not open with an apology, such as 'I know I don't have much experience, but...'. This draws attention to a weakness before the reader has seen anything positive.

Avoid a generic first line that could apply to any job at any company, such as 'I am a hard-working and reliable person seeking new opportunities.' Say which job, and where you saw it, first.

Do not repeat the greeting or your name twice in the opening. State it once at the top, and once more only in your sign-off at the end.

Avoid a long introduction before you get to the point. Two or three sentences is enough for the whole opening paragraph; the detail belongs in the middle of the letter.