The Formatting of Cover Letters: What to Do and Not To Do

Posted by Goulburn Resume on 24 Mar 2026

If you’re the process of applying for a job a well-written resume and cover letter are essential. However, just having great content doesn’t suffice. The structure that you write your letter in is just as important as the content itself. A poorly-formatted cover letter can make a bad impression on the hiring manager, while a well-formatted one will help your company stand out from the other applicants. In this post, we’ll look at the important aspects of the format of your cover letters, and explain why it could be beneficial to have professionals such as Goulburn Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Do use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial as well as Calibri are all great choices. Avoid using overly fancy or hard-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font font size, and formatting for the covering letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Utilize single, or 1.15 line spacing and leave plenty of white space so that the letter is easy to read.
  4. Include your contact information in the upper right-hand corner of the email. This includes your address, name as well as your phone number and email.
  5. Do personalize the letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring if possible, and tailor the letter to the specific job and the company that you’re applying for.

Let’s discuss the rules of cover letter layout.

  1. Don’t make use of 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 to the essence.
  3. Don’t go overboard with your formatting. Stick to a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check spelling and grammar mistakes before you send the letter.
  5. Don’t forget to sign the letter.

While it’s important to be aware of the structure in your resume cover letter it’s difficult and time-consuming to write it yourself. This is where a professional resume writing service like Goulburn Resume comes in. Our team of experts knows how to design an effective cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd. We’ll take care of the formatting, so you can focus on the content that you want to convey in the cover letter.

In addition, our staff will assist you in adjusting your cover letter to the specific job the job you’re applying to. We’ll also check for grammar and spelling errors, and make sure your cover letter is succinct easily read.

In the end, a properly formatted cover letter will make all you stand out in the job hunt. By adhering to the do’s & don’ts of cover letter formatting or perhaps hiring a professional like Goulburn Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf and you’ll be well on your path to creating a cover letter that helps to stand out in the competition. Contact us at 1300 202 475 or use the contact form to contact us should you have any concerns.

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Cover Letter Formatting Do's and Don'ts

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