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

Posted by Palmerston North Resume on 26 Apr 2025

When it comes to applying for jobs, having a professional resume and cover letter is crucial. However, simply having good content doesn’t suffice. The structure of the cover letter you send out is just as important as the content. A badly formatted cover letter could leave a bad impression on your hiring manager however a well-formatted cover letter can help you stand out from your competitors. In this article, we’ll go over the rules and guidelines for cover letter formatting, and also discuss the reasons why it might be beneficial to have professionals such as Palmerston North Resume handle the formatting for you.

Let’s start by discussing the do’s 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, size, and layout in the letter of cover.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Choose single line or 1.15 line spacing and ensure that you leave plenty of white space to make the letter easily read.
  4. Include your contact information on the front of your letter. This includes your name, address along with your telephone number and email address.
  5. Make sure to personalize your letter. Use the hiring manager’s name If possible, and then tailor your letter to the job and company you’re applying to.

Now, let’s discuss the dos and don’ts of cover letters layout.

  1. Do not use a template. Every cover letter must be unique and specific to the specific position and business you’re applying to.
  2. Do not exceed one page. Make sure the letter is concise and to the main point.
  3. Avoid using fancy layouts. Stick to a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check for spelling and grammar mistakes prior to sending the letter.
  5. Make sure to acknowledge the note.

While it’s important 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 such as Palmerston North Resume comes in. Our team of specialists knows how to structure your cover letter to allow you to stand out the crowd. We’ll handle the formatting so that you can focus on the content of your letter.

In addition, our team can help you tailor your cover letter to the specific job and company you’re applying to. Furthermore, we’ll check for spelling and grammar errors and ensure that your letter is clear in its writing and simple to understand.

In the end, a properly 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 and possibly hiring a professional service like Palmerston North Resume to handle the formatting for you then you’ll be on your path to creating a cover letter that helps you stand out from the crowd. Contact us on 0800 215 100 or use the contact form to get in touch for any queries.

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

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