Formal Cover Letter Do's and don'ts

Posted by Cessnock Resume on 19 Apr 2025

When you are applying for jobs, an impressive resume and cover letter is essential. However, just having great content isn’t enough. The layout for your resume is as important as your content. A badly formatted cover letter could leave a bad impression on your hiring manager While a professionally formatted one will help you stand out among the competition. In this article, we’ll cover the rules and guidelines for formatting your cover letter and also discuss the reasons why it might be beneficial to have an expert such as Cessnock Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Do make sure to use a professional typeface. Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all excellent choices. Avoid using overly fancy or hard-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font, size, and layout across the entire cover letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Choose single line or 1.15 lines, and leave plenty of white space to make the text easy to read.
  4. Include your contact details in the upper right-hand corner of the email. This should include your name, address telephone number, address, and email address.
  5. Make sure to personalize your letter. Make use of the name of the hiring manager If you can, and tailor your letter to the job which you’re applying.

Let’s discuss the essentials of cover letter format.

  1. Don’t make use of a template. Every cover letter must be unique and specific to the job you’re applying for and the organization you’re applying to.
  2. Don’t exceed one page. Make sure the letter is concise and straight to the essential.
  3. Do not use fancy formatting. Use a simple, professional layout.
  4. Make sure to proofread your letter. Double-check for spelling and grammar errors prior to sending your letter.
  5. Make sure to sign the letter.

While it’s vital to be aware of the structure in your resume cover letter it can be difficult and time-consuming to write it yourself. That’s why a professional resume writing service such as Cessnock Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to write a cover letter that will make you stand out among the crowd. We’ll handle the formatting, so you can concentrate on the contents of your letter.

Additionally, our team will help you to tailor your cover letter to fit the job or company which you’re applying. In addition, we’ll review for spelling and grammar mistakes and make sure that your cover letter is succinct and easy to read.

A well-written cover letter can make all you stand out in the job hunt. By following the do’s and do’s of formatting your cover letter or perhaps hiring a professional like Cessnock Resume to handle the formatting for you You’ll be on the way to creating a cover letter that can help you stand out from your competitors. Do not hesitate to contact us on 1300 202 475 or use the contact form to get in touch if you have any questions.

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