A cover letter in English is not your Spanish letter run through a translator. The structure is similar, but the length, the tone and the stock phrases change, and a letter that keeps the Spanish habits reads as translated within the first two lines.
This guide is for Spanish speakers applying to an international company or a job abroad. You will get the structure an English-speaking recruiter expects, the differences from a Spanish letter, the UK and US conventions, the phrases that replace the usual Spanish formulas, and a complete example with notes on every paragraph.
How to Structure a Cover Letter in English
An English cover letter has six parts, and the UK's National Careers Service describes the letter itself as short, usually 3 to 5 paragraphs long. Each part has one job:
- Header: your name, city and country, phone with the international prefix (+34, +52…), email and the date. The employer's address is optional when you apply online.
- Salutation: "Dear Ms Turner," when you know the name; a neutral formula when you don't (see the UK/US table below).
- Opening paragraph: the role you are applying for, where you saw it and your strongest reason to be considered, in two or three sentences.
- Body (one or two paragraphs): two concrete achievements that match the posting, ideally with a figure, and one line on why this company.
- Closing paragraph: interest in an interview and thanks, without the Spanish "quedo a su disposición".
- Sign-off and name: a closing formula that matches the salutation, then your full name.
The logic is the same as in Spanish, so if you need the step-by-step version of each part, our guide on how to write a cover letter step by step covers it in detail. What changes in English is everything around that skeleton.
How Is a Cover Letter in English Different From a Spanish One?
The main difference is directness. English-speaking recruiters expect the purpose in the first sentence and proof in the second, while Spanish letters often open with courtesy formulas and save the point for later. These are the habits worth changing:
| Aspect | Common Spanish habit | English convention |
|---|---|---|
| Opening | "Me dirijo a ustedes con el fin de…" | State the role and your main fit straight away |
| Length | Long paragraphs, sometimes over a page | One page; the University of Nottingham advises no longer than one side of A4 |
| Sentences | Long, with several subordinate clauses | Short sentences, one idea each |
| Self-presentation | Modest, focused on duties | Achievements in the first person, with results |
| Personal data | Age, nationality, sometimes a photo | Contact details only; no photo, date of birth or marital status |
| Closing | "Quedo a la espera de sus noticias, reciba un cordial saludo" | One sentence asking for an interview, a thank-you and a short sign-off |
The personal data point matters most in the US. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission states that employers should not ask for a photograph of an applicant, so a letter or CV with a photo and age works against you there. The same rule applies to your CV; our guide to the English CV for Spanish speakers explains how to adapt the rest of the application.
UK or US: Which Conventions Do You Follow?
Follow the conventions of the country where the job is, not the ones you learned at school. For a company in Ireland, the UK or Australia, use British forms; for the US and Canada, American ones. If the company is international and the posting gives no clue, pick one and stay consistent.
| Element | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Date | 6 November 2026 | November 6, 2026 |
| Spelling | organise, analyse, programme | organize, analyze, program |
| Title before a name | Ms Turner (no full stop) | Ms. Turner |
| Salutation without a name | Dear Sir or Madam / Dear Hiring Manager | Dear Hiring Manager |
| Sign-off with a name | Yours sincerely, | Sincerely, |
| Sign-off without a name | Yours faithfully, | Sincerely, |
| Name of the document | CV, covering letter | Resume, cover letter |
The British rule is strict: the National Careers Service pairs a named salutation with "Yours sincerely" and "Dear Sir or Madam" with "Yours faithfully". "Dear Sir or Madam" sounds dated to many readers, so try to find a name first; our guide on how to address a cover letter with no name lists the options when you can't.
Cover Letter Phrases in English (and the Spanish Formula They Replace)
These phrases sound natural to a native reader. Each one replaces a Spanish formula that, translated literally, gives the letter away.
To open the letter
- I am writing to apply for the [role] position advertised on [site]. Replaces "Me dirijo a ustedes para…".
- I was excited to see your opening for a [role], as… For a warmer opening that goes straight to your fit.
- [Name], [role] at your company, suggested I contact you about… When someone referred you. Name them in the first line.
- With [X] years of experience in [field], I would bring… Puts your strongest argument in the first sentence.
For more openings by situation, see our list of cover letter opening lines.
To show your experience
- In my current role at [company], I… Replaces "Actualmente trabajo en…" (never "Actually I work…").
- I led / managed / delivered… Instead of "I was responsible of…".
- This resulted in… or which reduced… by… To attach a result to each achievement.
- I am particularly drawn to [company] because… One concrete reason: a product, a project, an expansion.
- I work fluently in English and Spanish. States your languages once, without apologising for your level.
To close
- I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I could contribute to… Replaces "Quedo a su disposición para una entrevista".
- Thank you for your time and consideration. Replaces "Agradeciendo de antemano su atención".
- I have attached my CV for your reference. Use "resume" if the job is in the US.
- I look forward to hearing from you. Formal and natural in both the UK and the US.
Calques That Give Away a Translated Letter
A calque is a phrase translated word for word from Spanish. It is grammatically possible but no native speaker would write it, and recruiters spot it immediately. These are the most frequent ones in cover letters:
One more false friend to check before sending: you attend an interview. "Assist" means to help, so "I assisted the interview" says you helped run it.
Cover Letter in English: Complete Example
This example is for a Spanish data analyst applying to a logistics company in the UK. It stays under 250 words and follows British conventions. Each note explains why the paragraph works.
Full letter, part by part, with British conventions.
Laura Martín · Valencia, Spain · +34 600 123 456 · laura.martin@email.com · 6 November 20261Dear Ms Turner,2I am writing to apply for the Data Analyst role advertised on your careers page. With four years of experience turning logistics data into weekly decisions at a distribution company in Valencia, I would bring both technical skills and a clear view of how warehouses actually run.3In my current role, I built a Power BI dashboard that cut the time managers spend on weekly reports from six hours to one. I also automated stock reconciliation in Python, which reduced inventory discrepancies by 18% in a year.4Your plan to open two new hubs in the North of England caught my attention, as I supported a similar expansion in 2024. I have worked in English with suppliers in the Netherlands and the UK for three years.5I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how I could support your analytics team. Thank you for your time and consideration.6Yours sincerely, Laura Martín7
- 1Header with international prefix and UK date format.
- 2A named recipient, so the letter ends with Yours sincerely.
- 3Role, source and main argument in two sentences.
- 4Two achievements with figures, active verbs, first person.
- 5Why this company, and the language level shown, not apologised for.
- 6Asks for an interview without “I remain at your disposal”.
- 7Sign-off that matches the named salutation.
To adapt it, swap the two achievements for your own and rewrite the company paragraph from scratch. That paragraph is the one recruiters use to tell a tailored letter from a template.
Before You Send It
Read the letter aloud once. Sentences you run out of breath on are too long, and phrases that sound odd out loud are usually calques. Then check this list:
- It fits on one page and has three to five paragraphs.
- The role is named in the first sentence.
- Every achievement has a verb in the past tense and, where possible, a figure.
- Spelling, date and sign-off follow one country (UK or US) consistently.
- No photo, age or marital status, and no "quedo a su disposición" in disguise.
- File name in English: Laura-Martin-Cover-Letter.pdf, without accents.
If you want a first draft to start from, our AI cover letter generator drafts the letter from your CV and the role you are targeting, in English if you ask for it in the additional details, so you can spend your time on the company paragraph and the final read-through.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you say "carta de presentación" in English?
The usual term is cover letter. In the UK you will also see covering letter, and "motivation letter" is used mainly for university and scholarship applications in Europe.
Can I write my cover letter in Spanish and translate it?
You can use your Spanish letter as raw material, but rewrite it in English rather than translating it. Translated letters keep the long sentences and courtesy formulas of Spanish, and those are exactly what makes them sound foreign.
How long should a cover letter in English be?
One page, in three to five short paragraphs. Around 250-400 words is enough for most roles; more than a page signals that you have not selected what matters.
Should I mention my English level in the cover letter?
Mention it once if the job requires English, as a fact: "I work fluently in English" or a certificate level such as C1. The letter itself is the real proof, so never apologise for your level.
Is "Dear Sir or Madam" still acceptable?
It is correct in British English and must be closed with "Yours faithfully", but many recruiters find it dated. "Dear Hiring Manager" works in both the UK and the US when you cannot find a name.