Cover Letter Formatting Do's and Don'ts

Posted by New Plymouth Resume on 28 Sep 2026

When applying for jobs, well-written resumes and cover letter are crucial. However, just having great content doesn’t suffice. The layout that you write your letter in is as important as your content. A cover letter that is poorly formatted could leave a bad impression on the hiring manager, while a well-formatted one will make you stand out from your crowd. In this article, we’ll cover the important aspects of the format of your cover letters, and explain why it could be beneficial to have an expert such as New Plymouth Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Do make sure to use a professional typeface. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all options. Beware of using too fancy or difficult to read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Make use of the same font, the size of the font, and formatting across the entire cover letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Make use of single lines or 1.15 line spacing and ensure that you leave enough white space between paragraphs so that the letter is easy to read.
  4. Include your contact details on the front of your letter. Include your name, address as well as your phone number and email address.
  5. Make sure to personalize your letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring as much as you can, and customize your letter to match the job which you’re applying.

Let’s discuss the don’ts of cover letter format.

  1. Use a sample. Every cover letter must be original and tailored to the particular job and company you’re applying for.
  2. Don’t exceed one page. Keep the letter concise and to the essential.
  3. Do not use fancy formatting. Use a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check for spelling and grammar mistakes prior to sending the letter.
  5. Don’t forget to acknowledge the note.

While it’s essential to be aware of the format of your cover letter, it’s laborious and difficult to complete it yourself. That’s where a professional resume writing service like New Plymouth Resume comes in. Our team of experts knows how to structure the perfect cover letter that will help you stand out from the competition. We’ll take care of the formatting, so you can focus on the content of your letter.

In addition, our team will assist you in adjusting your cover letter to the specific job{ and company|| and the company| or company} that you’re applying for. Additionally, we’ll look for grammar and spelling mistakes and ensure that your cover letter is succinct in its writing and simple to understand.

In the end, a properly formatted cover letter could make all it’s worth in your career search. By adhering to the do’s and nots of the format of your cover letter and perhaps hiring a professional like New Plymouth Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf then you’ll be on your path to creating a cover letter that will help to stand out in the other applicants. Contact us at 0800 215 100 or use the contact form to get in touch if you have any questions.

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