Formal Cover Letter Do's and don'ts

Posted by Bairnsdale Resume on 27 Sep 2025

When it comes to applying for jobs, having a professional resume and cover letter is essential. But, having good content isn’t enough. The layout that you write your letter in is as crucial as the content. A cover letter that is poorly formatted will leave a negative impression on the hiring manager While a professionally formatted one will help your application stand out from the other applicants. In this post, we’ll look at the rules and guidelines for formatting your cover letter and discuss why it may be beneficial to let an expert such as Bairnsdale Resume handle the formatting for you.

In the beginning, let’s discuss the do’s of cover letter format.

  1. Do use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all great choices. Avoid using overly 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 lines, and allow enough white space between paragraphs to make your letter simple to comprehend.
  4. Include your contact details at the top of the letter. It should include your address, name telephone number, address, and email.
  5. Do personalize the letter. Include the name of the hiring manager if possible, and tailor the letter to the specific job the job you’re interested in.

Now, let’s talk about the dos and don’ts of cover letters design.

  1. Don’t use a template. Every cover letter needs to be unique and customized to the particular job and organization you’re applying to.
  2. Do not exceed one page. Keep the letter brief and straight to the essential.
  3. Don’t go overboard with your formatting. Choose a simple, professional layout.
  4. Make sure to proofread your letter. Double-check grammar and spelling errors before sending the letter.
  5. Make sure to acknowledge the letter.

While it’s crucial to be aware of the format in your resume cover letter it can be time-consuming and overwhelming to do it yourself. That’s where a professional resume writing service like Bairnsdale Resume comes in. Our team of professionals knows how to format the perfect cover letter that will ensure that you stand out from your competition. We’ll handle the formatting, so you can focus on the contents of your letter.

Our team will assist you in adjusting your cover letter to the specific job the job you’re applying to. Furthermore, we’ll check for spelling and grammar mistakes, and make sure your letter is short easily read.

In the end, a properly formatted cover letter could make all it’s worth in your career search. By adhering to the do’s and do’s of formatting your cover letter or perhaps hiring a professional like Bairnsdale Resume to handle the formatting for you then you’ll be on your path to creating a cover letter that will help you stand out from the competitors. Contact us at 1300 648 974 or use the contact form to contact us for any queries.

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