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

Posted by Manukau Resume on 2 Jan 2025

When applying for jobs, an impressive resume and cover letter is essential. However, just having great content isn’t enough. The structure for your resume is as important as the content. A poorly formatted cover letter can make a bad impression on the manager who is hiring While a professionally formatted one can make your application stand out from the crowd. In this article, we’ll cover the rules and guidelines for the formatting of your cover letter, and then discuss why it could be beneficial to have an experienced professional such as Manukau Resume handle the formatting for you.

The first thing to discuss is the rules of cover letter formatting.

  1. Make sure you use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all good options. Avoid using too extravagant or hard-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font, size and format across the entire cover letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Make use of single lines or 1.15 line spacing and allow plenty of white space to make your letter easily read.
  4. Do include your contact information near the beginning of the letters. It should include your name, address, phone number, and email address.
  5. Do personalize the letter. Make use of the name of the hiring manager as much as you can, and customize your letter to match the job and company the job you’re interested in.

Let’s discuss the essentials of cover letter format.

  1. Don’t use a template. Every cover letter must be unique and customized to the specific job and organization you’re applying to.
  2. Don’t go over one page. Keep the letter brief and straight to the point.
  3. Don’t use overly fancy formatting. Choose a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t forget to proofread. Double-check grammar and spelling mistakes prior to sending the letter.
  5. Make sure to acknowledge the note.

While it’s essential to pay attention to the format the cover letter you write, it’s laborious and difficult to complete it yourself. This is where a professional resume writing service such as Manukau Resume comes in. Our team of professionals knows how to design the perfect cover letter that will ensure that you stand out from the crowd. We’ll handle the formatting so that you can concentrate on the contents that you want to convey in the cover letter.

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

In conclusion, a well-formatted cover letter can be the difference in your job search. By adhering to the do’s and do’s of formatting your cover letter or perhaps hiring a professional service like Manukau 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 the other applicants. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 0800 024 129 or use the contact form to get in touch should you have any concerns.

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