Cover Letter Formatting Do's and Don'ts

Posted by Lismore Resume on 20 Jan 2026

If you’re seeking a job, an impressive resume and cover letter are crucial. But, having good content doesn’t suffice. The design for your resume is just as crucial as the content. A cover letter that is poorly formatted can make a bad impression on the manager who is hiring and a properly formatted one can help your application stand out from the competition. In this article, we’ll discuss the best practices and pitfalls of the format of your cover letters, and also discuss the reasons why it might be beneficial to let an experienced professional such as Lismore Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Do make sure to use a professional typeface. Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all good options. Avoid using fancy fonts or difficult to read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font, the size of the font, and formatting throughout the cover letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Make use of single lines or 1.15 lines, and leave plenty of white space to make your letter easier to understand.
  4. Include your contact information near the beginning of the letters. Include your name, address along with your telephone number and email address.
  5. Make sure to personalize your letter. Use the hiring manager’s name If you can, and tailor the letter to the particular position and company which you’re applying.

Let’s get to the don’ts of cover letter formatting.

  1. Don’t make use of a template. Every cover letter should be unique and customized to the job you’re applying for and the company you’re applying to.
  2. Don’t go over one page. Keep the letter concise and to the essential.
  3. Do not use fancy formatting. Keep it simple and professional layout.
  4. Do not forget to proofread. Double-check spelling and grammar errors prior to sending your letter.
  5. Don’t forget to sign the note.

While it’s crucial to be aware of the format of your cover letter, it’s tedious and stressful to complete it yourself. This is why professional resume writing services like Lismore Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to write a cover letter that will ensure that you stand out from your competition. We’ll handle the formatting, so you can concentrate on the contents that you want to convey in the cover letter.

In addition, our staff can assist you in tailoring your cover letter to fit the job or company you’re applying to. Furthermore, we’ll check for grammar and spelling mistakes and make sure that your letter is clear and easy to read.

In the end, a properly formatted cover letter can be the difference in your job search. By adhering to the do’s & do’s of formatting your cover letter or perhaps hiring a professional service like Lismore Resume to handle the formatting for you You’ll be on the way to creating a cover letter that can help to stand out in the competition. Do not hesitate to contact us at 1300 202 475 or use the contact form to reach us should you have any concerns.

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