How to format a cover letter: Do's and Don'ts

Posted by Bendigo Resume on 17 Sep 2025

When it comes to applying for a job, a well-written resume and cover letter are crucial. But, having good content isn’t enough. The layout for your resume is just as important as the content itself. A badly formatted cover letter could leave a bad impression on your hiring manager, while a well-formatted one will help your application stand out from the competitors. In this article, we’ll cover the rules and guidelines for cover letter formatting, and then discuss why it could be beneficial to have an experienced professional such as Bendigo Resume handle the formatting for you.

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

  1. Do make sure to use a professional typeface. Times New Roman, Arial and Calibri are all great choices. Beware of using too fancy or difficult-to-read fonts.
  2. Do use a consistent layout. Use the same font, size, and layout in the letter of cover.
  3. Do include proper spacing. Make use of single lines or 1.15 line spacing and make sure you leave ample white spaces between each paragraph to make the letter easy to read.
  4. Do include your contact information at the top of the letter. This should include your address, name, phone number, and email.
  5. Do personalize the letter. Make use of the name of the hiring manager if possible, and tailor the letter to the specific job the job you’re interested in.

Let’s get to the dos and don’ts of cover letters layout.

  1. Don’t make use of a template. Each cover letter should be unique and tailored to the job you’re applying for and the company you’re applying for.
  2. Limit the letter to one page. Keep your letter short and to the essence.
  3. Don’t use overly fancy formatting. Keep it simple and professional layout.
  4. Make sure to proofread your letter. Double-check grammar and spelling errors before sending the letter.
  5. Don’t forget to acknowledge the note.

While it’s important to be aware of the structure of your cover letter, it can be laborious and difficult to complete it yourself. That’s why a professional resume writing service such as Bendigo Resume comes in. Our team of professionals knows how to design a cover letter that will make you stand out among your competition. We’ll take care of the formatting so that you can concentrate on the contents in your cover letter.

Our team can assist you in tailoring your cover letter to fit the job or company which you’re applying. Additionally, we’ll look for spelling and grammar errors as well as ensure your letter is clear as well as easy for readers to comprehend.

A well-written cover letter can be an impact on your search for a job. By adhering to the do’s and do’s of formatting your cover letter or perhaps employing a professional such as Bendigo Resume to handle the formatting for you then you’ll be on your path to creating a cover letter that makes you stand out from your competitors. Don’t hesitate to contact us on 03 5420 1572 or use the contact form to reach us should you have any concerns.

I am very happy to have gone with Bendigo resume. Great customer service, and the work they put in writing resumes and cover letters is outstanding. Thank you!
Edmon Toma
Tanja provided outstanding service!! my resume and cover letter are now looking very professional! i am very pleased with this service and you are definitely getting your moneys worth. I also got a new job 1 day after sending out my resume. Big thank you to Tanja!!
Paula
I used Bendigo Resume for a government role submission, which included a selection criteria response. I was very impressed and it landed me the job that i wanted. Thank you again.
Roger Berick
Fantastic I highly recommend this company they compiled an amazing resume and cover letter in PDF format and word, don't worry if you find computers frustrating as I do they will book an interview with you over the phone. The consultant took about a hour (less if you have everything organised which I did not). Also they will sort out your LinkedIn profile if you have one. Again amazing. Thanks again for your help. Rob
Rob Warner
Tanja was great and always got back very quickly. Highly recommend
Brett Hain
Just had my resume update by Bendigo resume. Really great service, made me feel very welcome and offered great advice. Love my new CV thank you Bendigo resume.
Samantha McNelly
Tanja and the rest of the team are professionals and amazing. I had issues, but they went out of their way to help. To ensure my resume is quality and the best. Tanja is a supersta. Her work is second to none. I would recommend anyone that’s needing an updated resume to go to them. Best in Bendigo.
KB B
Modern, concise and professional Resume and cover letter! Fast turnaround and excellent communication - thoroughly recommend.
Mel Leatham
Great job Tanja quick and very high quality work. Many thanks.
Owen Scanlon
I am a experienced RN and had my resume updated including a cover letter done by Tanja Coyne at Bendigo Resume. The result was absolutely brilliant she had managed to get in all my years of experience and at the same time highlight my key achievements the resume was professionally presented as with the cover letter. I would highly recommend this service it was within the timeframe and the cost was affordable friendly service great team working there.
T Kaye
Why Professional Cover Letter Formatting is important

Resume

We provide professional resume writing services.

Why Professional Cover Letter Formatting is important

Cover Letter

We provide professional cover letter writing services.

Why Professional Cover Letter Formatting is important

LinkedIn Profile

We provide professional linkedin profile writing services.

Why Professional Cover Letter Formatting is important

Contact Us

Click the button below to get in touch.

About Us &

What We Do

We offer expert resume writing services and our very seasoned resume writers will make sure that your new resume stands out from the crowd.

We’re a team of highly certified and experienced HR professionals, recruiters, and consultants that are committed to delivering an excellent, well-written resume or cover letter.

We pride ourselves on our extensive understanding of top-practice hiring methodologies and Australian recruitment standards. Also, our expertise in a vast range of professions, industries, and areas means that we can create a high-quality, powerful resume that suits your personal needs.

Our end goal is to deliver you with a striking and impressive resume that is perfectly optimised for success in Bendigo‘s competitive job market.

We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our services, so you can be confident that you will be happy with your brand new resume or cover letter.

100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Make an Enquiry

Request a Quote

Fill out the form below to get in touch or call us today on
03 5420 1572