By an experienced recruiter who loves them!
Let’s get one thing out of the way first: not every recruiter loves cover letters. Some skip them entirely. They’ve got a mountain of CVs to get through, and they’re often scanning for key skills and experience that tick boxes for a client or hiring manager.
But when done well, we read them—and if you’re applying to us, we love to see one.
When done well, a cover letter can be the difference between your CV being skimmed and your profile getting a closer look. It tells us things your CV often doesn’t. It gives us context. It shows effort. And sometimes, it helps you stand out in ways that bullet points simply can’t.
So Why Do We Like Them?
Because a good cover letter gives us the why.
Your CV tells us what you’ve done—your roles, your achievements, your career progression. Your cover letter tells us why you’re applying. Why this role, why this company, and why now. That insight is valuable, and it often gives us the hook we need to pitch you to a client with confidence.
We’ve read thousands of CVs, but when someone writes:
“I’m relocating to Manchester next month to be closer to family and I’m looking for a role where I can put down roots,”
—we immediately understand context that would never appear on a standard CV.
Or:
“After five years in a large HR Team, I’m ready for a move into a smaller business where I can own People strategy long-term.”
That tells us your motivations, your intentions, and your goals—all things that help us make better matches.
It helps bring you and your CV to life.
A Few Tips for Writing One That Works
Let’s be honest: no one wants to read a formal essay full of buzzwords. Keep it human. Keep it clear. Keep it brief. Here’s how to format it so it works with your CV, not against it:
✅ Keep it to one side of A4.
Anything longer likely won’t get read. One page is plenty to make your point.
✅ Make it conversational.
Keep it informal. Write how you’d speak to someone in an interview: professional, but friendly.
✅ Don’t repeat your CV.
Use the space to add context to your story. What drew you to the role? What excites you about the company? Why now?
✅ Use it to explain the gaps or changes.
Career break? Relocation? Pivoting industries? This is your space to explain it—briefly and confidently.
✅ If the ATS only allows one upload, include your cover letter as Page 1 of your CV.
We get it. Some systems are clunky. If you only have one upload slot, just add your cover letter as the first page of your CV. That way, we’ll still see it when we open your document.
What We’re Really Looking For
In the end, we’re not judging you on your ability to write the next Booker Prize winner. We just want to understand you—your goals, your motivations, and what makes you tick.
A well-written, thoughtful cover letter shows us that you care about the opportunity and that you’re thinking intentionally about your next step.
And when we’re choosing between two similar CVs, that personal insight can absolutely tip the balance.
So yes, some recruiters might not be fans – but we are!. We read them. And if you’ve put the time in to write one properly, it tells us more about you, helps us make a quick decision on whether we should pick up the phone, and demonstrates commitment to the role you have applied for – all of which we love!