The Formatting of Cover Letters: What to Do and Not To Do

Posted by Mount Gambier Resume on 28 Mar 2025

When it comes to applying for a job, having a professional resume and cover letter are essential. However, just having great content doesn’t suffice. The layout of the cover letter you send out is as important as your content. A badly formatted cover letter can make a bad impression on your hiring manager, while a well-formatted one will make your company stand out from the crowd. In this article, we’ll discuss the rules and guidelines for the formatting of your cover letter, and then discuss why it could be beneficial to let a professional like Mount Gambier Resume handle the formatting for you.

In the beginning, let’s discuss the rules of formatting your cover letters.

  1. Do make sure to use a professional typeface. Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all options. Beware of using too fancy or difficult-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font, font size, and formatting across the entire cover letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Choose single line or 1.15 line spacing. Also, leave plenty of white space to make the text easier to understand.
  4. Include your contact details at the top of the letter. It should include your name, address telephone number, address, and email.
  5. Make sure to personalize your letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring as much as you can, and customize your letter to match the job and the company that you’re applying for.

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

  1. Do not use a template. Every cover letter needs to be unique and tailored to the specific job and business you’re applying to.
  2. Limit the letter to one page. Make sure the letter is concise and straight to the point.
  3. Do not use fancy formatting. Keep it simple and professional layout.
  4. Don’t forget to proofread. Double-check spelling and grammar errors prior to sending your letter.
  5. Make sure to sign the letter.

While it’s vital to pay attention to the structure for your letter of cover, it’s tedious and stressful to complete it yourself. This is where a professional resume writing service such as Mount Gambier Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to design a cover letter that will ensure that you stand out from the other applicants. We’ll handle the formatting, so you can focus on the content that you want to convey in the cover letter.

Additionally, our team will help you to tailor your cover letter to fit the job or company which you’re applying. We’ll also check for grammar and spelling errors, and make sure your cover letter is succinct as well as easy for readers to comprehend.

In conclusion, a well-formatted cover letter could make all an impact on your search for a job. If you follow the do’s and guidelines for formatting your cover letters and possibly hiring a professional like Mount Gambier Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf, you’ll be on your way to writing a cover letter that makes you stand out from the competitors. Do not hesitate to contact us on 1300 694 635 or use the contact form to get in touch should you have any concerns.

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Formal Cover Letter Do's and don'ts

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