Formal Cover Letter Do's and don'ts

Posted by Horsham Resume on 8 Sep 2026

When it comes to the process of applying for a job a well-written resume and cover letter are essential. But, having good content isn’t enough. The format for your resume is just as crucial as the content. A badly formatted cover letter will leave a negative impression on your hiring manager, while a well-formatted one can help you stand out from your competition. In this article, we’ll cover the best practices and pitfalls of formatting your cover letter and then discuss why it could be beneficial to have an experienced professional such as Horsham Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Make sure you use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial as well as Calibri are all excellent choices. Beware of using too fancy or difficult to read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font size and format throughout the cover letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Utilize single, or 1.15 line spacing and leave enough white space between paragraphs to make your letter easy to read.
  4. Include your contact information near the beginning of the letters. This should include your name, address as well as your phone number and email.
  5. Make sure to personalize your letter. Use the hiring manager’s name as much as you can, and customize your letter to the position and company that you’re applying for.

Let’s discuss the dos and don’ts of cover letters formatting.

  1. Don’t make use of a template. Each cover letter should be unique and specific to the specific position and company you’re applying to.
  2. Do not exceed one page. Make sure the letter is concise and to the main point.
  3. Don’t use overly fancy formatting. Use a simple, professional layout.
  4. Do not forget to proofread. Double-check spelling and grammar mistakes prior to sending the letter.
  5. Make sure to sign the letter.

While it’s vital to pay attention to the format of your cover letter, it can be difficult and time-consuming to write it yourself. That’s where professional resume writing services like Horsham Resume comes in. Our team of specialists knows how to write an effective cover letter that will help you stand out from the crowd. We’ll take care of the formatting so that you can concentrate on the contents of your letter.

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

In conclusion, a well-formatted cover letter will make all the difference in your job search. If you follow the do’s and guidelines for formatting your cover letters and perhaps hiring a professional like Horsham Resume to handle the formatting for you You’ll be on the way to writing a professional cover letter that helps you stand out from the other applicants. Do not hesitate to contact us at 1300 648 974 or use the contact form to contact us with any questions you may have.

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5 Tips and Do's for creating the perfect cover letter

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