Cover Letter Formatting Do's and Don'ts

Posted by Palmerston North Resume on 3 Feb 2026

When it comes to the process of applying for a job an impressive resume and cover letter is crucial. But, having good content isn’t enough. The design of your cover letter is as important as your content. A poorly formatted cover letter can make a bad impression on your hiring manager however a well-formatted cover letter can make your application stand out from the competition. In this article, we’ll discuss the best practices and pitfalls of cover letter formatting, and also discuss the reasons why it might be beneficial to let an expert such as Palmerston North Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Do use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial, and Calibri are all good options. Beware of using too fancy or difficult-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font, the size of the font, and formatting for the covering letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Use single or 1.15 line spacing and make sure you leave sufficient white space in between the paragraphs so that the letter is simple to comprehend.
  4. Include your contact details in the upper right-hand corner of the email. This should include your name, address as well as your phone number and email.
  5. Make sure to personalize your letter. Make use of the name of the hiring manager if possible, and tailor your letter to the position and company that you’re applying for.

Let’s discuss the rules of cover letter formatting.

  1. Do not use a template. Every cover letter needs to be unique and customized to the job you’re applying for and the business you’re applying to.
  2. Don’t go over one page. Keep your letter short and to the main point.
  3. Avoid using fancy layouts. Stick to a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t neglect to proofread. Double-check grammar and spelling errors prior to sending your letter.
  5. Make sure to acknowledge the letter.

While it’s crucial to pay attention to the format of your cover letter, 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 professionals knows how to design your cover letter to help you stand out from the competition. We’ll handle the formatting, so you can concentrate on the content of your letter.

In addition, our team can help you tailor your letter of cover to the particular job or company the job you’re applying to. In addition, we’ll review for spelling and grammar errors and make sure that your cover letter is succinct easily read.

In the end, a well-formatted cover letter can be you stand out in the job hunt. By adhering to the do’s and nots of the format of your cover letter and maybe hiring a professional service like Palmerston North Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf then you’ll be on your way to creating a cover letter that helps to stand out in the crowd. Don’t hesitate to contact us at 0800 215 100 or use the contact form to reach us 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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