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

Posted by Invercargill Resume on 27 Aug 2025

When it comes to applying for a job, well-written resumes and cover letter are essential. But, having good content isn’t enough. The design that you write your letter in is as crucial as the content. A poorly formatted cover letter can leave a bad impression on the hiring manager, while a well-formatted one can make you stand out among the crowd. In this article, we’ll cover the best practices and pitfalls of the formatting of your cover letter, and also discuss the reasons why it might be beneficial to have an experienced professional such as Invercargill Resume handle the formatting for you.

Let’s start by discussing the essentials of cover letter format.

  1. Do make sure to use a professional typeface. Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all great choices. Avoid using overly fancy 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 sufficient white space in between the paragraphs to make your letter easy to read.
  4. Include your contact information on the front of your letter. It should include your address, name telephone number, address, and email.
  5. Do personalize the letter. The name of the manager you’re hiring if possible, and tailor the letter to the particular position and company which you’re applying.

Let’s discuss the rules of cover letter design.

  1. Don’t make use of a template. Every cover letter needs to be unique and specific to the job you’re applying for and the company you’re applying to.
  2. Don’t exceed one page. Keep the letter brief and straight to the point.
  3. Don’t go overboard with your formatting. Stick to a simple, professional layout.
  4. Don’t forget to proofread. Double-check for spelling and grammar mistakes before you send the letter.
  5. Don’t forget to acknowledge the letter.

While it’s crucial to be aware of the structure of your cover letter, it’s difficult and time-consuming to write it yourself. This is where a professional resume writing service like Invercargill Resume comes in. Our team of experts know how to structure an effective cover letter that will ensure that you stand out from the crowd. We’ll handle the formatting, so you can focus on the content that you want to convey in the cover letter.

Additionally, our team will assist you in adjusting your letter of cover to the particular job and the company you’re applying to. We’ll also check for spelling and grammar mistakes as well as ensure your letter is short easily read.

In the end, a well-formatted cover letter will make all the difference in your job search. By adhering to the do’s and nots of the format of your cover letter and possibly hiring a professional service like Invercargill Resume to handle the formatting on your behalf, you’ll be on your path to creating a cover letter that can help to stand out in the crowd. Contact us on 0800 215 100 or use the contact form to contact us should you have any concerns.

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