Formal Cover Letter Do's and don'ts

Posted by Ballina Resume on 8 Dec 2025

If you’re seeking a job, an impressive resume and cover letter is essential. However, just having great content doesn’t suffice. The format that you write your letter in is just as important as your content. A badly formatted cover letter will leave a negative impression on the hiring manager While a professionally formatted one can make your company stand out from the competition. In this article, we’ll cover the best practices and pitfalls of the format of your cover letters, and then discuss why it could be beneficial to let an experienced professional such as Ballina Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Make sure you use a professional font. Times New Roman, Arial as well as Calibri are all great choices. Avoid using overly fancy or hard-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font, size, and layout throughout the cover letter.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Make use of single lines or 1.15 line spacing, and ensure that you leave plenty of white space to make the letter easier to understand.
  4. Include your contact details near the beginning of the letters. Include your name, address, phone number, and email.
  5. Do personalize the letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring If you can, and tailor the letter to the specific job which you’re applying.

Now, let’s talk about the don’ts of cover letter format.

  1. Use a sample. Each cover letter should be original and tailored to the job you’re applying for and the organization you’re applying to.
  2. Do not exceed one page. Make sure the letter is concise and to the essential.
  3. Don’t go overboard with your formatting. Choose a simple, professional layout.
  4. Make sure to proofread your letter. Double-check spelling and grammar mistakes before you send the letter.
  5. Don’t forget to sign the note.

While it’s essential to pay attention to the format the cover letter you write, it can be difficult and time-consuming to write it yourself. This is why a professional resume writing service like Ballina Resume comes in. Our team of specialists knows how to format an effective cover letter that will help you stand out from your competition. We’ll handle the formatting, so you can concentrate on the content in your cover letter.

In addition, our staff can help you tailor your cover letter to match the job you’re applying to. Furthermore, we’ll check for spelling and grammar mistakes and ensure that your letter is concise as well as easy for readers to comprehend.

In conclusion, a well-formatted cover letter will make all you stand out in the job hunt. If you follow the do’s and nots of the format of your cover letter and possibly hiring a professional company like Ballina Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf You’ll be on the way to writing a professional cover letter that helps to stand out in the crowd. Do not hesitate to contact us at 1300 202 475 or use the contact form to reach us for any queries.

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