• Name (You could omit your name in this section, because you will signing your name in the ending salutation)
• Your address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Date
• (Format in the US: May 14, 2022  with a comma between the date and year
• Format in the UK: 14 May 2022 without a comma between the month and year)
• The details of recipient (the full name and address)

1) If you know the name of the contact person, the formal salutation should be provided like this:

Dear Mr(.)–

Dear Ms(.)–

Dear Prof. —

In a UK application, there is no dot and just says Mr — or Ms –. In a US application, however, the format is Mr.–or Ms.–.

2) If you cannot find a suitable contact name in the application files, use the impersonal salutation only, for example:

Dear Sir or Madam

Dear Hiring Manager

'To whom it may concern' is not recommended, because it gives the impression that you send a standard letter to different universities/companies at once.

Try to answer these questions:

• How/Where do you hear about the position (if possible)?
• Why you are interested in working with the exployer/company and most qualified for this position?
• What important experiences and background do you have?

If this position is coming from a personal referral or recommendation, mention the person's name in the first sentence.

In this part, you should focus on drawing a link between your CV and the lab/university/company, and be sure to show:

• Why your qualifications and experiences as tailored to the job description
• What you can do in the postition in the future
• Why you want to move abroad if you are apply for jobs in another countries

Notice:

Write in a direct manner, for example:

I think I would be⇒I know I will be

The last paragraph should be brief and you will mention:

• When and how are you reachable?
• Be sure to thank the employer for his or her time and be looking forward to an interview.
• Request an interview and tell the employers that you will call in the next few days.

There are some differences in ending salutation between British and American English.

• 'Sincerely' if you know the contact person (Subcerely in US and Your sincerely in UK)
• 'Your faithful' if you do not know the contact person

Front and size

• Ensure the same front and size for Cover Letter and CV
• Between 10pt and 12pt
• Highlight your important part with a font size of 14pt or 16pt, or capital letters
• Time New Roman, Arial or Calibri are standard option

Length

• The cover letter must never be longer than one page.

Cover Letter File Format

• Convert your Cover Letter into the PDF format to keep your everything free of distortion in your reader's device.

Use British English or American English to the country where you are applying for a job. For example:

• Lawyer-Solicitor(British English)-Attorney(American English)
• Analyze(American English)-Analyse(British English)
• Catalyze(American English)-Catalyse(British English)
• Realize (Primary spelling in British English)-Realise(Secondary spelling in British English)