Making It Count: Writing a Strong Covering Letter for Local Government Jobs

Writing a covering letter for a role within local government is not merely a formality—it is a crucial part of the application process that demonstrates your genuine interest and commitment to public service. In my coaching sessions, I often stress that if someone cannot be bothered to write a proper cover letter, it’s usually a clear indication that they’re not truly invested in the opportunity. A well-crafted cover letter acts as a personal introduction, giving you the chance to connect directly with the hiring manager and show how your values, skills, and experience align with the role and the broader objectives of the local authority. Fortunately, writing one is a straightforward process when you follow recommended guidelines, tailor your message to the specific position, and focus on making a sincere and compelling impression. Taking the time to do this properly can make all the difference between being shortlisted or overlooked.

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression." Will Rogers

A strong covering letter for a local government role should go beyond generic statements and demonstrate a deep understanding of the specific authority you are applying to. Start by clearly articulating why you want to work for this particular council—what is it about their vision, priorities, or recent initiatives that resonates with you? Why now? Perhaps there’s a strategic shift, a new leadership direction, or a moment of transformation that aligns with your own professional journey. Then, focus on what you bring to the table: your skills, experience, and leadership qualities, and how these can contribute meaningfully to the organisation’s goals. It’s essential to show that you’ve taken the time to understand the council’s corporate plan and the leader’s ambitions, and that you are genuinely motivated to be part of delivering that vision. Subtly weaving in the organisation’s values throughout your letter can help reinforce cultural alignment. Finally, demonstrate awareness of the challenges the authority—and the wider sector—is facing, whether financial pressures, service demand, or workforce transformation. Position yourself not just as a functional leader, but as a collaborative member of the senior leadership team, ready to contribute to collective solutions in a complex and evolving landscape.

"Your CV tells them what you’ve done. Your covering letter tells them who you are—and why it matters."

When it comes to formatting your covering letter, presentation really does matter. First impressions count, and a poorly formatted letter can undermine even the strongest content. Always include the essential elements: your address and contact details at the top, followed by the date, and then the address of the organisation you’re applying to. Stick rigidly to the length specified in the application pack—if you can’t follow a basic instruction like that, how can they trust you to manage a budget or deliver against a plan? Keep your letter concise, ideally no more than one side of A4 unless otherwise stated. Use a clear, professional font such as Calibri or Times New Roman, in black, and at a readable size—typically 11 or 12 point. It may sound basic, but these details matter. Make sure your letter is well-structured, with a clear introduction, a compelling middle section, and a strong conclusion. End with a confident sign-off—something along the lines of: “I hope to have the opportunity to discuss the points I’ve raised in more detail at interview.” And don’t forget to sign it—digitally or by hand, depending on how you’re submitting it. These small touches show care, professionalism, and attention to detail.

Let’s get into the structure.

Introduction.

The introductory paragraph of your covering letter sets the tone for the entire application, so it’s important to get it right. This is your opportunity to clearly express your interest in the role and outline, in broad terms, why you believe you are well-suited to it. You should convey a sense of enthusiasm and purpose—why this role, at this local authority, and why now? If the timing feels fortuitous in relation to your career journey or aspirations, say so. It’s also helpful to reference the council’s corporate plan and values early on, showing that you’ve done your homework and that your motivations align with the organisation’s direction and ethos. This opening should give the reader a strong sense that you’re not just applying for any job—you’re applying for this job, for thoughtful and well-considered reasons.

"A covering letter is your first handshake with the employer—make it firm, sincere, and memorable."

Why do you want to work at this specific council?

The second paragraph of your covering letter should focus on why you want to work for this specific council at this specific time. This is your chance to demonstrate that you’ve done your research and that your interest goes beyond the job title. Engage directly with the council’s corporate plan—what are its strategic priorities, and how do they align with your own values and experience? Look at the language used by the council leader or chief executive in public statements or forewords to strategic documents; their rhetoric often reveals the tone and ambition of the organisation. If you’re applying to a particular function—such as finance, regeneration, or adult social care—try to find any publicly available plans or commentary on that area. Has the council been featured in The MJ or LGC recently? Are there any major transformation programmes, funding announcements, or sector-wide challenges they’re responding to? Referencing these shows that you understand the broader context and are ready to contribute meaningfully. This paragraph should make it clear that your application is timely, informed, and aligned with the council’s current direction of travel.

What will you bring to the role?

The next paragraph in your covering letter should focus on what you bring to the role—this is your opportunity to showcase your skills, experience, and values in a way that aligns with what the council is looking for. Think of this section as fitting your piece into the jigsaw puzzle of the organisation’s needs: you’re demonstrating how your background complements their goals, culture, and challenges. Start by identifying the key competencies likely required for the role—such as strategic leadership, financial acumen, stakeholder engagement, or service transformation—and then back up your claims with tangible examples. For instance, rather than saying you “led a successful project,” say you “led a cross-functional team to deliver a £2.5m regeneration programme six weeks ahead of schedule, aligned with the council’s values of collaboration and accountability.” Make sure your achievements are specific, measurable, and time-bound where possible. Just as importantly, weave in references to the council’s values and show how they resonate with your own professional ethos. This paragraph should leave the reader with a clear sense that you not only can do the job, but that you are already thinking and operating in a way that reflects the organisation’s culture and aspirations.

"A CV lists your achievements. A covering letter explains why they matter."

Provide some context.

The following paragraph in your covering letter should demonstrate your understanding of the challenges the council is currently facing—and how you are equipped to help overcome them. This is where you show that you’re not just applying for a job, but stepping into a leadership role with a clear-eyed view of the landscape. Whether the challenges relate to financial pressures, workforce transformation, service demand, or delivering on ambitious regeneration or climate goals, you should acknowledge them directly and explain how your skills and experience can contribute to meaningful solutions. Importantly, position yourself not only as a senior officer leading a specific function, but as a collaborative and strategic member of the senior leadership team. Make it clear that you are there to help deliver the vision set out by the Leader and elected members, aligning your work with their priorities and the council’s values. At the same time, reinforce your commitment to public service—your ultimate responsibility is to the residents and communities you serve. This holistic view of leadership, where you balance political alignment, organisational culture, and community impact, is what truly resonates with those reviewing cover letters. It shows maturity, insight, and a genuine understanding of what it means to lead in local government today.

"A well-written covering letter is a quiet act of leadership—it shows initiative, insight, and intent before you’ve even stepped into the room."

Bring it home with a powerful conclusion.

Your covering letter should leave no doubt that you are genuinely interested in the role, that you bring the right blend of skills and experience, and that your values are closely aligned with those of the council. Reinforce your enthusiasm for the opportunity and your readiness to contribute meaningfully—not just to the function you would lead, but to the wider organisation and the communities it serves. It would be a privilege to play a part in delivering the council’s vision and supporting its ambitions at such a pivotal time. A closing line such as “I would welcome the opportunity to discuss this role further at interview and explore how I can contribute to the council’s continued success” provides a confident and professional finish, while inviting the next step in the process.

"In a competitive field, a strong covering letter doesn’t just open the door—it invites the reader to welcome you in."

What a cover letter is not.

When writing your covering letter, it’s just as important to know what to leave out. Avoid simply giving a chronological overview of your career—your CV already does that. Instead, focus on relevance, alignment, and impact. Don’t make broad or vague statements without backing them up with specific examples. Failing to reference the council’s corporate plan, values, or the role of elected members is a missed opportunity to show you understand the political and organisational context. And remember, while you’re operating in a political environment, you are not a politician—avoid anything inflammatory or overly opinionated. Use your own words and your own voice. Tools like Microsoft Word can help with structure and grammar, but it will be obvious if your letter has been written entirely by AI or copied from a template. Take your time—don’t rush it. Give yourself space to reflect, refine, and improve. Most importantly, ask at least one trusted contact in the sector to review your letter. Create psychological safety for them to give you honest, constructive feedback—this is how you move from a good application to a great one.

Conclusion

To conclude, I hope this blog post has provided you with a clear and practical structure to guide your approach when writing a covering letter for a local government role. This is your opportunity to go beyond the CV and really show the essence of who you are—what motivates you, what you can bring to the organisation, and why you’re serious about this particular role. A well-crafted covering letter demonstrates that you’ve done the necessary research, understand the council’s context, and are ready to contribute meaningfully. Take your time, be authentic, and let your passion for public service come through. Good luck—you’ve got this.