Cover letter format: UK versus US conventions

The letter itself is similar in both markets: three or four paragraphs, evidence, a clean close. What changes is the packaging — how it is addressed, how long it runs, whether it is even called a cover letter, and how much self-promotion is acceptable.

Name, length and paper

• UK: called a covering letter. One side of A4, occasionally a second page; A4 paper.
• US: called a cover letter. One page, hard limit; Letter paper.
• Both: same font family as the CV, same header block, PDF unless the portal asks otherwise.

Salutation

The UK is relaxed about "Dear Hiring Manager" but a named person is still better when you can find one — the advert or the company site usually gives you a name. "Dear Sir or Madam" survives but reads dated.

The US leans harder on a named recipient; if the posting is anonymous, "Dear Hiring Manager" is the safe default. "To Whom It May Concern" reads careless in both markets.

Opening

• UK: state the role, where you saw it, and one sentence of relevant positioning. Modest and specific.
• US: state the role and lead with your strongest single piece of evidence. Slightly more assertive is expected.
• Both: never open with "I am writing to apply for..." and nothing else. It wastes the only line everyone reads.

Structure and tone

UK letters usually run: role and positioning, two paragraphs of evidence against the person specification, then availability and references. Understatement is safer than superlatives; "I led a team of six through a migration" does more work than "dynamic self-starter".

US letters often read as a short pitch: the problem the company has, the evidence that you have solved it before, and the reason you want this specific job. Confident phrasing is welcome, as long as every claim is backed in the same paragraph.

Closing

• UK: "Yours sincerely" when you named the person, "Yours faithfully" when you did not. Both still used, though "Kind regards" is increasingly common.
• US: "Sincerely" or "Best regards".
• Both: state what happens next — that you are available for interview, and any notice period if relevant.

Spelling and vocabulary

British spelling throughout for a UK employer — organisation, prioritise, programme, CV. American spelling for a US employer — organization, prioritize, program, resume. Mixed spelling is the single most obvious sign of a recycled letter.

Watch the traps: CV is a UK term, and US readers expect resume. Grade and mark differ. University versus college carries different weight. Dates are day-month-year in the UK and month-day-year in the US.

The honest shortcut

Write the evidence paragraphs once, in your own words, with real outcomes. Then produce two packagings: one A4 version with British spelling and a modest opening, one Letter version with American spelling and a sharper first line. Everything else — the achievements — is identical, because the work you did is the work you did.