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

Posted by Cairns Resume on 12 Feb 2026

When seeking a job, an impressive resume and cover letter is crucial. However, just having great content isn’t enough. The structure of your cover letter is just as important as your content. A poorly-formatted cover letter can leave a bad impression on the hiring manager While a professionally formatted one can make your company stand out from the crowd. In this article, we’ll cover the rules and guidelines for formatting your cover letter 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 essentials of cover letter formatting.

  1. Use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all options. Avoid using too extravagant or hard-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font, the size of the font, and formatting for the covering letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Make use of single lines or 1.15 line spacing and allow sufficient white space in between the paragraphs to make the text easier to understand.
  4. Do include your contact information at the top of the letter. It should include your name, address, phone number, and email.
  5. Do personalize the letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring If you can, and tailor your letter to the job which you’re applying.

Now, let’s discuss the don’ts of cover letter formatting.

  1. Don’t use a template. Every cover letter should be unique and customized to the specific position and company you’re applying for.
  2. Do not exceed one page. Keep your letter short and to the essence.
  3. Don’t use overly fancy formatting. Use a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check grammar and spelling mistakes before you send the letter.
  5. Make sure to sign the note.

While it’s vital to pay attention to the structure the cover letter you write, it can be laborious and difficult to complete it yourself. This is where professional resume writing services like Cairns Resume comes in. Our team of professionals knows how to write the perfect cover letter that will ensure that you stand out from your competition. We’ll take care of the formatting so that you can concentrate on the content in your cover letter.

In addition, our team will help you to tailor your cover letter to the specific job that you’re applying for. In addition, we’ll review for grammar and spelling errors and make sure that your letter is concise in its writing and simple to understand.

A well-written cover letter can be the difference in your job search. By following the do’s and guidelines for formatting your cover letters and perhaps hiring a professional service like Cairns Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf and you’ll be well on your way to writing a cover letter that helps you stand out from your crowd. Don’t hesitate to contact us on 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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