Formal Cover Letter Do's and don'ts

Posted by Mackay Resume on 28 Apr 2025

When the process of applying for a job having a professional resume and cover letter are essential. However, just having great content doesn’t suffice. The layout of your cover letter is just as crucial as the content. A badly formatted cover letter can make a bad impression on the manager who is hiring While a professionally formatted one can help your company stand out from the competitors. In this article, we’ll cover the important aspects of the formatting of your cover letter, and discuss why it may be beneficial to let professionals such as Mackay Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Do use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all great choices. Avoid using overly fancy or difficult-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font the size of the font, and formatting for the covering letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Utilize single, or 1.15 line spacing. Also, allow plenty of white space to make your letter easier to understand.
  4. Include your contact details at the top of the letter. It should include your address, name as well as your phone number and email.
  5. Do personalize the letter. Make use of the name of the hiring manager if possible, and tailor your letter to the job the job you’re interested in.

Let’s get to the rules of cover letter format.

  1. Don’t make use of a template. Every cover letter needs to be unique and customized to the job you’re applying for and the company you’re applying for.
  2. Do not exceed one page. Make sure the letter is concise and to the essence.
  3. Do not use 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 sign the note.

While it’s crucial to be aware of the format the cover letter you write, it can be laborious and difficult to complete it yourself. That’s why professional resume writing services such as Mackay Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to format a cover letter that will ensure that you stand out from the crowd. We’ll take care of the formatting, so you can focus on the contents of your letter.

In addition, our staff can help you tailor your cover letter to match the job and company you’re applying to. Furthermore, we’ll check for grammar and spelling mistakes and ensure that your letter is clear and easy to read.

In the end, a well-formatted cover letter can be an impact on your search for a job. If you follow the do’s and guidelines for formatting your cover letters and perhaps employing a professional such as Mackay Resume to handle the formatting for you and you’ll be well on your path to creating a cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 1300 291 293 or use the contact form to reach us with any questions you may have.

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