How to format a cover letter: Do's and Don'ts
When you are seeking a job, well-written resumes and cover letter are essential. But, having good content isn’t enough. The structure of your cover letter is as important as your content. A poorly-formatted cover letter could leave a bad impression on your hiring manager and a properly formatted one will make your application stand out from the crowd. In this article, we’ll go over the best practices and pitfalls of the format of your cover letters, and discuss why it may be beneficial to have a professional like Traralgon Resume handle the formatting for you.
The first thing to discuss is the essentials of cover letter formatting.
- Use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all good options. Avoid using fancy fonts or difficult to read fonts.
- Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font size and format across the entire cover letter.
- Do include proper spacing. Choose single line or 1.15 line spacing, and ensure that you leave ample white spaces between each paragraph to make your letter easy to read.
- Include your contact details on the front of your letter. Include your name, address as well as your phone number and email address.
- Personalize the letter. Include the name of the hiring manager If possible, and then tailor the letter to the particular job and company that you’re applying for.
Let’s discuss the essentials of cover letter format.
- Do not use a template. Every cover letter needs to be unique and tailored to the particular job and organization you’re applying to.
- Do not exceed one page. Make sure the letter is concise and straight to the main point.
- Don’t go overboard with your formatting. Stick to a simple, professional layout.
- Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check spelling and grammar mistakes before you send the letter.
- Make sure to sign the note.
While it’s vital to be aware of the structure of your cover letter, it’s difficult and time-consuming to write it yourself. This is why a professional resume writing service like Traralgon Resume comes in. Our team of professionals knows how to write your cover letter to help you stand out from your competition. We’ll take care of the formatting so that you can focus on the content that you want to convey in the cover letter.
In addition, our staff can help you tailor your cover letter to the specific job you’re applying to. In addition, we’ll review for grammar and spelling mistakes as well as ensure your letter is clear in its writing and simple to understand.
In the end, a properly formatted cover letter will make all an impact on your search for a job. If you follow the do’s and don’ts of cover letter formatting and perhaps hiring a professional company like Traralgon Resume to handle the formatting for you, you’ll be on your path to creating a cover letter that helps you stand out from your crowd. Do not hesitate to contact us on 1300 648 974 or use the contact form to get in touch should you have any concerns.