The Formatting of Cover Letters: What to Do and Not To Do
When you are applying for jobs, well-written resumes and cover letter are crucial. However, just having great content isn’t enough. The layout of your cover letter is as important as the content itself. A badly formatted cover letter will leave a negative impression on the manager who is hiring however a well-formatted cover letter can help you stand out among the other applicants. In this article, we’ll go over the rules and guidelines for the format of your cover letters, and also discuss the reasons why it might be beneficial to let an expert such as Sunshine Coast Resume handle the formatting for you.
In the beginning, let’s discuss the do’s of formatting your cover letters.
- Make sure you use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all excellent choices. Beware of using too fancy or difficult to read fonts.
- Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font size and format for the covering letter.
- Do include proper spacing. Choose single line or 1.15 line spacing and make sure you leave ample white spaces between each paragraph to make your letter easier to understand.
- Do include your contact information near the beginning of the letters. It should include your name, address along with your telephone number and email address.
- Do personalize the letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring If possible, and then tailor your letter to the position and company that you’re applying for.
Let’s discuss the essentials of cover letter format.
- Do not use a template. Every cover letter should be original and tailored to the specific job and company you’re applying for.
- Don’t go over one page. Keep the letter concise and straight to the point.
- Don’t go overboard with your formatting. Use a simple, professional layout.
- Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check grammar and spelling mistakes prior to sending the letter.
- Make sure to sign the letter.
While it’s essential to be aware of the structure of your cover letter, it can be difficult and time-consuming to write it yourself. This is where a professional resume writing service like Sunshine Coast Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to structure your cover letter to make you stand out among the other applicants. We’ll handle the formatting so that you can focus on the content in your cover letter.
In addition, our staff will assist you in adjusting your cover letter to the specific job or company which you’re applying. Furthermore, we’ll check for spelling and grammar mistakes and ensure that your letter is concise in its writing and simple to understand.
In the end, a well-formatted cover letter can make all it’s worth in your career search. By following the do’s and don’ts of cover letter formatting and maybe hiring a professional service like Sunshine Coast Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf then you’ll be on your way to writing a cover letter that helps you stand out from the competitors. Contact us on 1300 987 836 or use the contact form to contact us with any questions you may have.
