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

If you’re seeking a job, having a professional resume and cover letter is essential. However, just having great content isn’t enough. The structure of the cover letter you send out is just as crucial as the content. A poorly-formatted cover letter will leave a negative impression on your hiring manager While a professionally formatted one can make you stand out from your crowd. In this post, we’ll look at the important aspects of formatting your cover letter and explain why it could be beneficial to have a professional like Hastings Resume handle the formatting for you.

In the beginning, let’s discuss the basics of formatting a cover letter.

1. Make sure you use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial as well as Calibri are all great choices. Beware of using too fancy or difficult to read fonts.
2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font, size, and layout for the covering letter.
3. Do include proper spacing. Use single or 1.15 lines, and leave sufficient white space in between the paragraphs to make your letter easily read.
4. Include your contact details in the upper right-hand corner of the email. It should include your name, address, phone number, and email.
5. Personalize the letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring as much as you can, and customize the letter to the specific position and company which you’re applying.

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

1. Don’t make use of a template. Each cover letter should be unique and customized to the specific job and company you’re applying to.
2. Limit the letter to one page. Keep your letter short and straight to the essential.
3. Don’t use overly fancy formatting. Choose a simple, professional layout.
4. Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check grammar and spelling errors before sending the letter.
5. Don’t forget to acknowledge the note.

While it’s essential to be aware of the format of your cover letter, it’s time-consuming and overwhelming to do it yourself. This is where a professional resume writing service like Hastings Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to format a cover letter that will allow you to stand out the other applicants. We’ll handle the formatting so that you can concentrate on the contents in your cover letter.

Additionally, our team can assist you in tailoring your cover letter to the specific job the job you’re applying to. In addition, we’ll review for spelling and grammar errors, and make sure your letter is clear easily read.

In the end, a well-formatted cover letter could make all you stand out in the job hunt. By adhering to the do’s and don’ts of cover letter formatting and maybe hiring a professional company like Hastings Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf, you’ll be on your way to creating a cover letter that will help you stand out from your competitors. Contact us on 0800 215 100 or use the contact form to contact us with any questions you may have.