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

Posted by Grafton Resume on 15 Nov 2025

If you’re seeking a job, having a professional resume and cover letter are essential. But, having good content isn’t enough. The structure of the cover letter you send out is just as important as your content. A poorly-formatted cover letter can leave a bad impression on the hiring manager and a properly formatted one will make your application stand out from the competitors. In this post, we’ll look at the best practices and pitfalls of cover letter formatting, and discuss why it may be beneficial to let an experienced professional such as Grafton Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial as well as Calibri are all options. Avoid using fancy fonts or difficult to read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Make use of the same font, size and format in the letter of cover.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Use single or 1.15 line spacing and make sure you leave ample white spaces between each paragraph to make the letter simple to comprehend.
  4. Do include your contact information on the front of your letter. This should include your address, name, phone number, and email.
  5. Make sure to personalize your letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring If possible, and then tailor the letter to the particular job and company which you’re applying.

Now, let’s talk about the don’ts of cover letter format.

  1. Do not use a template. Every cover letter needs to be unique and customized to the specific position and organization you’re applying to.
  2. Limit the letter to one page. Make sure the letter is concise and to the essential.
  3. Avoid using fancy layouts. Use a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t forget to proofread. Double-check spelling and grammar mistakes before you send the letter.
  5. Make sure to acknowledge the note.

While it’s vital to pay attention to the structure the cover letter you write, it’s time-consuming and overwhelming to do it yourself. This is where professional resume writing services such as Grafton Resume comes in. Our team of professionals knows how to write a cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd. We’ll take care of the formatting so that you can concentrate on the content in your cover letter.

Our team will help you to tailor your cover letter to the specific job and company that you’re applying for. We’ll also check for spelling and grammar errors as well as ensure your letter is short easily read.

In the end, a properly formatted cover letter could make all it’s worth in your career search. By adhering to the do’s and nots of the format of your cover letter and maybe employing a professional such as Grafton Resume to handle the formatting for you You’ll be on the way to writing a professional cover letter that helps to stand out in the competitors. Don’t hesitate to contact us on 1300 202 475 or use the contact form to get in touch with any questions you may have.

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Cover Letter Formatting Do's and Don'ts

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