5 Do's and Don'ts to follow for creating the perfect cover letter

Posted by Palmerston North Resume on 3 Feb 2026

When it comes to applying for a job, well-written resumes and cover letter is essential. However, just having great content isn’t enough. The structure of your cover letter 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 help you stand out from your crowd. In this post, we’ll look at the do’s and don’ts of the format of your cover letters, and also discuss the reasons why it might be beneficial to have an experienced professional such as Palmerston North Resume handle the formatting for you.

In the beginning, let’s discuss the do’s of cover letter format.

  1. Do use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all options. Avoid using fancy fonts or hard-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Make use of the same font, size, and layout throughout the cover letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Choose single line or 1.15 line spacing, and ensure that you leave plenty of white space so that the letter is easy to read.
  4. Do include your contact information near the beginning of the letters. This includes your address, name as well as your phone number and email address.
  5. Do 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 you’re applying to.

Now, let’s discuss the rules of cover letter formatting.

  1. Don’t make use of a template. Every cover letter should be original and tailored to the specific job and company you’re applying to.
  2. Don’t exceed one page. Keep the letter concise and straight to the essential.
  3. Don’t go overboard with your formatting. Use a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check grammar and spelling mistakes prior to sending the letter.
  5. Don’t forget to sign the note.

While it’s important to be aware of the structure the cover letter you write, it’s tedious and stressful to complete it yourself. This is why a professional resume writing service like Palmerston North Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to design the perfect cover letter that will help you stand out from your competition. We’ll handle the formatting so that you can focus on the content the letter.

In addition, our staff will assist you in adjusting your cover letter to fit the job and the company that you’re applying for. Additionally, we’ll look for grammar and spelling errors and make sure that your cover letter is succinct and easy to read.

In the end, a properly formatted cover letter could make all the difference in your job search. By adhering to the do’s & don’ts of cover letter formatting and possibly hiring a professional company like Palmerston North Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf You’ll be on the way to writing a professional cover letter that makes you stand out from your competition. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 0800 215 100 or use the contact form to get in touch with any questions you may have.

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

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