How to format a cover letter: Do's and Don'ts

Posted by Bairnsdale Resume on 20 Mar 2025

When it comes to seeking a job, having a professional resume and cover letter are crucial. However, just having great content doesn’t suffice. The design of the cover letter you send out is just as crucial as the content. A poorly-formatted cover letter can make a bad impression on your hiring manager however a well-formatted cover letter will help your application stand out from the crowd. In this article, we’ll go over the do’s and don’ts of the format of your cover letters, and also discuss the reasons why it might be beneficial to let professionals such as Bairnsdale Resume handle the formatting for you.

The first thing to discuss is the rules of cover letter format.

  1. Do make sure to use a professional typeface. Times New Roman, Arial, as well as Calibri are all options. Beware of using too fancy or difficult to read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Make use of the same font, size and format in the letter of cover.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Utilize single, or 1.15 line spacing, and allow sufficient white space in between the paragraphs so that the letter is easier to understand.
  4. Include your contact details in the upper right-hand corner of the email. It should include your address, name, phone number, and email address.
  5. Personalize the letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring If you can, and tailor your letter to match the job and company that you’re applying for.

Let’s discuss the rules of cover letter format.

  1. Use a sample. Each cover letter should be unique and tailored to the specific job and organization you’re applying to.
  2. Do not exceed one page. Keep your letter short and straight to the point.
  3. Do not use fancy formatting. Choose a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t forget to proofread. Double-check grammar and spelling errors prior to sending your letter.
  5. Don’t forget to acknowledge the note.

While it’s crucial to be aware of the format for your letter of cover, it’s time-consuming and overwhelming to do it yourself. This is where professional resume writing services like Bairnsdale Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to design an effective cover letter that will allow you to stand out the other applicants. We’ll take care of the formatting so that you can concentrate on the contents in your cover letter.

Additionally, our team can assist you in tailoring your cover letter to match the job and company which you’re applying. Furthermore, we’ll check for spelling and grammar errors as well as ensure your cover letter is succinct and easy to read.

In the end, a well-formatted cover letter will make all the difference in your job search. If you follow the do’s and guidelines for formatting your cover letters or perhaps hiring a professional like Bairnsdale Resume to handle the formatting for you and you’ll be well on your way to creating a cover letter that helps to stand out in the crowd. Contact us on 1300 648 974 or use the contact form to reach us for any queries.

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