A proper cover letter format can score you a few points. Read on, and learn how to format your cover letter so it won't go unnoticed.
Career Expert
Imagine you’re a recruiter, and you’ve got a pile of 300 cover letters to sift through. Which ones would you choose? The ones with tiny font, typos, or with sloppy structure, or the ones that invite you to read and are easy to scan? Take a few minutes and learn how to format your cover letter, so you won't get ignored.
This guide will show you:
Save hours of work and get a cover letter like this. Pick a template, fill it in. Quick and easy. Choose from 20+ cover letter templates and download your cover letter now.
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My previous cover letter was really weak and I used to spend hours adjusting it in Word. Now, I can introduce any changes within minutes. Absolutely wonderful!
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Sonia F. Quattlebaum
Senior Android Developer
1641 McDonald Avenue
Apopka, FL 32703
IT Hiring Manager
Cindy Murphy suggested that I apply—she knows how I discovered a vulnerability in the municipal parking app in Rocherster MN that could have given hackers access to all information on the citizens’ phones, and stepped up to fix it.
I see you’re looking for an Android developer with experience in leading cross-departmental efforts to create highly secure financial apps. At Goldcoin Bank, I:
When Bigbank introduced a new-generation fraud alert system in its mobile banking app, I could not help but admire the hard work and dedication of its developers—and I was not surprised when it won the Banking App of the Year award. It would be an honor to join your team and make Bigbank Mobile even more reliable and secure in the face of ever-changing cyberthreats.
Can we schedule a meeting next week to discuss how I could contribute to the upcoming versions of Bigbank Mobile?
PS. I can’t wait to tell you how I helped a well-known online store prevent a massive cyber attack that put the bank accounts of 50,000 clients who used its mobile app in immediate danger.
This cover letter follows all the best practices for cover letter structure and format. Let’s go through all the steps you need to have a cover letter like that.
The best practices of formatting a cover letter are always the same, no matter if you’re writing your first cover letter with no experience or applying for an executive job. To make sure your cover letter format is as effective as possible, follow these steps:
This cover letter format works wonders for entry-level candidates and seasoned pros alike, so it’s worth mastering no matter where you are in your career. Now we’ll look at each step in more detail.
If you use a cover letter template, this part of cover letter formatting will take care of itself. But if you prefer to start with a blank page, here’s how to format a cover letter:
Expert Hint: Save your cover letter as a PDF file so that it looks the same on all devices. A Word file that looks great on your computer can look like a trainwreck when opened on someone else’s device.
Every business letter needs a header, and cover letters aren’t an exception. The header goes into the top left corner of the page and contains contact information—both yours and the recruiters. Addressing a cover letter is pretty straightforward in most cases. Here’s a cover letter header template that you can copy and paste straight away:
Street, City, State
Hiring Manager’s Name
Hiring Manager’s Job Title
Street, City, State
If it makes sense to include other professional online profiles like GitHub, feel free to do so. Just avoid mentioning any personal profiles, especially if they contain potentially awkward photos or posts. Oh, and remember to use your “best” email address for your job application. It’s hard to take a candidate seriously if their email address is biggestbieberfan96@samplemail.com.
This cover letter header is an indispensable part of a business cover letter format if you send your cover letter as a PDF or print it out. If you choose to send your cover letter in the body of an email, omit the header and go straight to the opening.
Expert Hint: Do your best to find out the hiring manager’s name. Sometimes it’s mentioned in the job ad. But if it’s not, do some research on LinkedIn, browse the company’s website, or do a quick Google search.
The cover letter header was easy. Now comes the hard part… but we’ll make it easy, too. First, you need to greet the reader. If you know the hiring manager’s name, choose between these three salutations:
Want to try a different look? There's 21 more. A single click will give your document a total makeover. Pick a cover letter template here.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, and highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You're the perfect candidate, and we'll prove it. Use our resume builder now.
Time for another paragraph in your letter of application! Now that you’ve explained why you’re the best person for this job, it’s time to show why this job is the best opportunity for you.
Why is it so important to write about it? Well, if you don’t really want to work for this specific company, why should hiring managers bother to invite you? So go ahead.
Compliment the company on a recent achievement, praise its values (and explain how they resonate with your values), show your excitement about its upcoming projects. Don’t be afraid to confess your passion.
Nail it all with a splash of color, choose a clean font, highlight your skills in just a few clicks. You’re the perfect candidate and we’ll prove it. Just pick one of 21 resume templates and get started now.
Now you know how to format a cover letter like a pro! The best professional cover letter format consists of the following elements:
It’s also important to stick to basic formatting rules:
Questions? Concerns? Not sure about anything to do with cover letter formats? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll get back to you!
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For a professional format, use a cover letter generator that will take care of the structure. Then, do the following:
For more information and tips, follow our in-depth guide to writing a cover letter.
Cover letter layout is just like the layout of any business letter:
Check out cover letter templates to see what a professional cover letter layout looks like.
There’s no single best font for cover letters. Your cover letter should be easy to read, so opt for a classic business font like Arial, Times New Roman, Helvetica, Trebuchet MS or Calibri. Use the same font in your resume for a consistent look—consider using a matching resume builder and cover letter builder for best results.
Written by Olga BerOlga is a career expert with a background in teaching. At ResumeLab, she writes actionable guides to help job-seekers highlight their unique strengths and unlock their career potential.
There’s a lot you want to say to convince your future employer to hire you. But before you start writing, learn what to include in a cover letter with our expert guide.
Looking for cover letter tips and advice to really stand out? Want cover letter mistakes to avoid and other dos and don'ts? You've come to the right place.
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