Cover Letter Formatting Do's and Don'ts

Posted by Cairns Resume on 22 Mar 2025

When applying for a job, a well-written resume and cover letter is essential. But, having good content isn’t enough. The design for your resume is just as important as the content. A poorly formatted cover letter could leave a bad impression on your hiring manager and a properly formatted one can help you stand out among the other applicants. In this article, we’ll go over the best practices and pitfalls of the format of your cover letters, and discuss why it may be beneficial to let professionals such as Cairns Resume handle the formatting for you.

Let’s start by discussing the basics of cover letter formatting.

  1. Do use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial as well as Calibri are all good options. Avoid using overly fancy or difficult to read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font the size of the font, and formatting across the entire cover letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Make use of single lines or 1.15 line spacing. Also, allow plenty of white space to make the letter easily read.
  4. Include your contact details at the top of the letter. It should include your address, name, phone number, and email address.
  5. Personalize the letter. Use the hiring manager’s name If possible, and then tailor your letter to match the job which you’re applying.

Let’s discuss the dos and don’ts of cover letters design.

  1. Use a sample. Every cover letter must be unique and customized to the specific position and organization you’re applying to.
  2. Don’t go over one page. Keep the letter concise and to the point.
  3. Don’t go overboard with your formatting. Keep it simple and professional layout.
  4. Make sure to proofread your letter. Double-check for spelling and grammar mistakes before you send the letter.
  5. Make sure to acknowledge the letter.

While it’s crucial to pay attention to the format in your resume cover letter it can be difficult and time-consuming to write it yourself. That’s why professional resume writing services like Cairns Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to design your cover letter to allow you to stand out the other applicants. We’ll handle the formatting, so you can concentrate on the contents in your cover letter.

Additionally, our team will help you to tailor your cover letter to fit the job or company which you’re applying. Additionally, we’ll look for spelling and grammar mistakes and ensure that your letter is clear as well as easy for readers to comprehend.

In the end, a properly formatted cover letter can make all the difference in your job search. By adhering to the do’s and guidelines for formatting your cover letters and perhaps hiring a professional company like Cairns Resume to handle the formatting for you You’ll be on the way to writing a professional cover letter that can help you stand out from the competitors. Contact us at 1300 291 283 or use the contact form to reach us if you have any questions.

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Cover Letter Formatting Do\'s and Don\'ts

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We are a team of highly qualified and experienced Recruiters, consultants and HR Professionals that are dedicated to delivering an exceptional, well-written resume or cover letter.

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