Do UK employers still read cover letters in 2026? The short answer: yes — but only the good ones. Our survey of 150 UK hiring managers found that 68% read cover letters when they're submitted, and 41% say a strong cover letter has changed their mind about a borderline CV. The problem is that most cover letters are generic and add nothing. Here's how to write one that actually works.
UK cover letters should be concise — ideally 3 paragraphs, never more than one A4 page. Here's what each paragraph should do:
State the role you're applying for, where you saw it, and your single most compelling reason why you're the right person. Don't start with "I am writing to apply for..." — every recruiter has read that 10,000 times. Start with your strongest selling point.
Pick 2-3 specific achievements from your CV that are most relevant to this role. Quantify them. Connect them explicitly to what the employer needs. This paragraph proves you can do the job.
Express genuine enthusiasm for this specific company — not just the role. Reference something specific about them (a recent project, their mission, their culture). End with a clear call to action.
Having spent six years leading digital marketing teams for energy brands, and having followed Octopus Energy's transformation of customer experience in the UK energy market with genuine admiration, the opportunity to join your Growth Marketing team as Senior Marketing Manager feels like a natural next step.
In my current role at EDF Energy, I led a digital acquisition campaign that reduced cost-per-acquisition by 34% while growing the customer base by 22,000 in eight months — by rebuilding our paid search strategy and A/B testing landing pages weekly. Previously at British Gas, I launched a referral programme that generated £1.2M in incremental revenue in its first year. I'm drawn to Octopus's data-driven approach to customer growth and believe these experiences translate directly to your current expansion phase.
Octopus's commitment to genuinely disrupting how UK households think about energy — not just selling it differently but rethinking the product entirely — is exactly the kind of mission I want my work to contribute to. I'd welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background could support your team's goals.
Yours sincerely,
James Mitchell
In the UK in 2026, cover letters are optional on most job boards — but always beneficial if the option exists. The exception: if the job posting explicitly says "no cover letter", respect that. Otherwise, a well-written, tailored cover letter puts you ahead of the 80% of applicants who don't bother.
AI cover letter tools like ours can generate a tailored, professional cover letter in 60 seconds. You provide your experience, the job description and the company name — the AI writes a personalised letter that mirrors the language of the job posting and highlights your most relevant achievements. Most candidates who use AI cover letter tools report getting significantly more interview invitations.
Tailored to the job, written in 60 seconds. Free to try.
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