The Formatting of Cover Letters: What to Do and Not To Do
When you are seeking a job, a well-written resume and cover letter is crucial. But, having good content isn’t enough. The structure that you write your letter in is as crucial as the content. A cover letter that is poorly formatted can make a bad impression on the manager who is hiring however a well-formatted cover letter can help your application stand out from the competition. In this article, we’ll go over the rules and guidelines for cover letter formatting, and explain why it could be beneficial to have an expert such as Gladstone Resume handle the formatting for you.
In the beginning, let’s discuss the do’s of cover letter format.
- Do make sure to use a professional typeface. Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all excellent choices. Avoid using overly fancy or hard-to-read fonts.
- Do use a consistent layout. Make use of the same font, font size, and formatting throughout the cover letter.
- Do include proper spacing. Make use of single lines or 1.15 line spacing, and make sure you leave sufficient white space in between the paragraphs so that the letter is easy to read.
- Include your contact details near the beginning of the letters. Include your address, name as well as your phone number and email address.
- Personalize the letter. Make use of the name of the hiring manager as much as you can, and customize your letter to the position and company that you’re applying for.
Now, let’s talk about the essentials of cover letter formatting.
- Do not use a template. Every cover letter needs to be unique and tailored to the specific position and business you’re applying to.
- Do not exceed one page. Keep the letter brief and to the point.
- Avoid using fancy layouts. Stick to a simple, professional layout.
- Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check spelling and grammar errors before sending the letter.
- Make sure to sign the letter.
While it’s vital to be aware of the format for your letter of cover, it can be time-consuming and overwhelming to do it yourself. This is where professional resume writing services like Gladstone Resume comes in. Our team of experts knows how to format a cover letter that will make you stand out among the other applicants. We’ll handle the formatting so that you can focus on the content the letter.
In addition, our staff can assist you in tailoring your cover letter to match the job or company that you’re applying for. We’ll also check for grammar and spelling errors and make sure that your letter is short in its writing and simple to understand.
In the end, a well-formatted cover letter will make all you stand out in the job hunt. If you follow the do’s and do’s of formatting your cover letter and possibly hiring a professional company like Gladstone Resume to handle the formatting for you then you’ll be on your path to creating a cover letter that makes you stand out from your crowd. Contact us at 1300 993 659 or use the contact form to get in touch should you have any concerns.
