Congratulations on completing your first cover letter. However, as you look back, you realise it’s simply a copy-paste of your CV.
Repeating your curriculum vitae is a common pitfall that many candidates encounter, making the cover letter redundant.
Your cover letter should provide fresh insights, adding more value to your application. It’s also the ideal space to address career gaps or major transitions that might not be covered in your CV.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to use your cover letter to demonstrate why you’re the best candidate for the role, while confidently addressing your career history and key achievements.
Product Manager cover letter example
Jacob Roberts
Edinburgh, UK
+44 1234 567890
help@enhancv.com
- Emphasize tangible achievements: Highlight specific metrics that demonstrate success, such as a "30% increase in market penetration" or a "40% reduction in time-to-market," which showcase effective product management skills.
- Illustrate understanding of company goals: Start with a personalized understanding of the company's mission and align it with your professional values and experience.
- Showcase relevant experience: Detail specific experiences that are directly applicable to the role, such as successfully launching a SaaS product using Agile methodologies, underscoring proficiency in Agile practices.
- Express enthusiasm for the role and company: Convey interest in joining the team and contributing to future projects, demonstrating a proactive and engaged attitude towards the opportunity.
Importance of cover letters in the United Kingdom
Cover letters provide recruiters with the opportunity to learn more about your career aspirations, hinting at how you’d integrate within the organisation over the long term.
Here are three additional reasons why cover letters are important:
- Making an excellent first impression (and a formal introduction): Your cover letter is often the employer’s first introduction to you, showcasing your personality, communication skills, and motivation for the role.
- Complementing your career history: While your CV lists qualifications and experience, a cover letter provides the context, explaining how your background fits the role.
- Demonstrates your genuine interest: A well-crafted cover letter reflects the effort you’ve put into researching the company and role as well as your attention to detail.
What UK employers expect from a cover letter
When writing your cover letter for a UK employer, it’s important to keep several things in mind. First, you need to conduct a thorough research, which includes reading up on the company’s website, recent news, and their presence on social media. Understanding the company’s latest achievements and its overall mission will allow you to tailor your letter to their specific needs.
Next, focus on the company’s core values. Whether they value teamwork, innovation, or community involvement, highlighting how your own experience aligns with these principles is essential.
Finally, don’t forget to match your skills to the job’s requirements. Study the job description carefully and pick out the most important qualifications or competencies. Then, provide evidence of how you meet those criteria with concrete examples from your past work experience.
How to format a product manager cover letter
Your cover letter is your opportunity to make a strong impression, so its structure must be professional and clear.
Here's an overview of how a UK cover letter should be structured:
- Begin with your address and contact details at the top.
- Include the employer’s name and address directly below.
- Add the date to the left or right of the page.
- Use an appropriate greeting, such as 'Dear Mr Smith' or 'Dear Sir/Madam.'
- Open with a strong introductory paragraph.
- Develop your points in the middle paragraphs, focusing on relevant skills and experience.
- Close with a concise conclusion, reiterating your interest and suitability for the role.
- Sign off formally with your name and signature.
The software used to match your profile to the job, Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), won’t scan your cover letter. Instead, the cover letter reads as a more personalised note to the recruiter.
When it comes to choosing a font, consider modern options like Lato, Rubik, or Chivo, which should also be applied to your CV to maintain a consistent appearance.
Additionally, your cover letter should be single-spaced with 1-inch (2.5 cm) margins on all sides (our templates are pre-set with these specifications so you can focus on your cover letter content).
Finally, always send your cover letter as a PDF to preserve the formatting and prevent edits.
How to write your product manager cover letter salutation
In a world of AI and instant prompts, taking the extra time to personalise your cover letter truly makes a difference.
Address the hiring manager directly with a customised greeting (e.g., 'Dear Mr Bond', 'Dear Ms Penny').
You can often find their name on LinkedIn (under the job listing or by searching) or in the ‘About’ or ‘Meet the Team’ section of the company's website. If in doubt, you can also contact the reception for assistance.
If you can't find the name, rather than using 'Dear Sir or Madam', opt for something more personal, such as 'Dear [Company Name] Hiring Manager'.
How to write your product manager cover letter intro
A great option to begin your cover letter is by showing recruiters you've done your homework or research.
If the company has won an award or made headlines, congratulate them in your opening sentence, or express how impressed you are.
Provide this achievement as a reason why you admire the company, ensuring your tone remains genuine, sincere, and authentic.
How to write your product manager cover letter body
As you reach the body of your cover letter, you might wonder what to write in it.
Our advice? Don’t just copy your CV—choose your greatest achievement and tell its story.
Focus on how you got there using hard and soft skills, describe your involvement, and quantify the results with concrete outcomes.
Remember, recruiters aren’t looking for an epic tale of your career—they want something concise, relevant, and directly addressing their needs.
How to write a closing paragraph
You’ve written a brilliant cover letter so far—so don’t undermine it at the very end.
If you think signing off with a polite 'Kind regards' or 'I look forward to hearing from you' will make a strong impression, think again.
A better approach is to make a tangible promise—one that reflects both personal and professional growth—and demonstrates your value to the recruiters.
Alternatively, encourage the hiring managers by asking when you might expect to hear back from them.
Conclusion
A well-crafted cover letter can significantly enhance your job application and set you apart from other candidates. Begin by personalising your message to the hiring manager and connecting your experiences to the company's values.
Emphasise your key accomplishments that reflect your skills and passion for the role, while maintaining a professional tone throughout. Ensure that your cover letter and CV present a unified and polished image to maximise your chances of success.
