5 Do's and Don'ts to follow for How to write the perfect cover letter

Posted by Hastings Resume on 10 Jul 2026

When the process of applying for a job having a professional resume and cover letter are essential. But, having good content isn’t enough. The layout of your cover letter is just as important as the content itself. A poorly formatted cover letter could leave a bad impression on the hiring manager, while a well-formatted one will help your company stand out from the competitors. In this article, we’ll cover the rules and guidelines for cover letter formatting, and also discuss the reasons why it might be beneficial to let professionals such as Hastings Resume handle the formatting for you.

First, let’s talk about the rules of formatting a cover letter.

  1. Make sure you use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all options. Beware of using too 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 line spacing. Also, make sure you leave sufficient white space in between the paragraphs to make the letter easy to read.
  4. Do include your contact information at the top of the letter. It should include your address, name along with your telephone number and email.
  5. Personalize the letter. Use the hiring manager’s name as much as you can, and customize the letter to the specific job which you’re applying.

Let’s discuss the dos and don’ts of cover letters design.

  1. Do not use a template. Every cover letter must be unique and specific to the job you’re applying for and the company you’re applying to.
  2. Limit the letter to one page. Keep the letter brief and straight to the essence.
  3. Don’t go overboard with your formatting. Keep it simple and professional layout.
  4. Don’t forget to proofread. Double-check for spelling and grammar errors prior to sending your letter.
  5. Don’t forget to sign the letter.

While it’s important to pay attention to the format the cover letter you write, it’s laborious and difficult to complete it yourself. This is where professional resume writing services like Hastings Resume comes in. Our team of specialists knows how to format 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 contents in your cover letter.

In addition, our team can help you tailor your cover letter to the specific job{ and company|| and the company| or company} that you’re applying for. In addition, we’ll review for grammar and spelling errors and make sure that your letter is clear and easy to read.

In the end, a properly 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 or perhaps hiring a professional service like Hastings Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf You’ll be on the way to creating a cover letter that can help you stand out from your crowd. Contact us at 0800 215 100 or use the contact form to contact us if you have any questions.

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