Tips for Formatting a Cover Letter for a Resume

man working on cover letter on laptop
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Along with your resume, a cover letter provides an opportunity to impress a potential employer with both your professionalism and how well you would fit in with the company's mission and culture.

How you format your cover letter, both from a content (the information you include) and a presentation (what your cover letter looks like) perspective is important. Even when applying online or via email, your cover letter needs to be properly formatted, readable, and without any mistakes.

Cover letters to send with resumes follow the format of a formal business letter. They are written in paragraph form and include a formal salutation, closing, and signature. It's important to write a targeted cover letter that shows how you are qualified for the job for which you're applying. Each cover letter you write should be unique and customized.

What Content to Include in Your Cover Letter

1. First Paragraph - Why you are writing
2. Middle Paragraphs - What you have to offer
3. Concluding Paragraph - How you'll follow-up

Paragraph 1: Why You Are Writing

  • If you are writing in response to a job posting, indicate where you learned of the position and the title of the position. More importantly, express your enthusiasm and the likely match between your credentials and the position's qualifications.
  • If you are writing a prospecting letter in which you inquire about possible job openings - state your specific job objective. Since this type of letter is unsolicited, it is even more important to capture the reader’s attention.
  • If you are writing a networking letter to approach an individual for information, make your request clear.

In some cases, you may have been referred to a potential employer by a friend or acquaintance. Be sure to mention this mutual contact by name in your first paragraph to encourage your reader to keep reading!

Paragraph 2: What You Have to Offer

In responding to a job advertisement, refer specifically to the qualifications listed and illustrate how your particular abilities and experiences relate to the position for which you are applying.

In a prospecting letter, express your potential to fulfill the employer's needs rather than focusing on what the employer can offer you. You can do this by giving evidence that you have researched the organization thoroughly and that you possess skills used within that organization.

Emphasize your achievements and problem-solving skills. Show how your education and work skills are transferable, and thus relevant, to the position for which you are applying.

Paragraph 3: How You Will Follow Up 

Close by reiterating your interest in the job and letting the employer know how they can reach you. Include your phone number and email address. Or bid directly for the job interview or informational interview and indicate that you will follow-up with a telephone call to set up an appointment at a mutually convenient time. If you mention that you will be in touch, be sure to make the call within the time frame indicated.

In some instances, an employer may explicitly prohibit phone calls, or you may be responding to a “blind want-ad” which precludes you from this follow-up. Unless this is the case, make your best effort to reach the organization. At the very least, you should confirm that your materials were received and that your application is complete.

If you are applying from outside the employer’s geographic area, you may want to indicate if you’ll be in town during a certain time frame (this makes it easier for the employer to agree to meet with you).

In conclusion, you may indicate that your references are available on request. Also, if you have a portfolio or writing samples to support your qualifications, state their availability.

Tips for Formatting Your Cover Letter

Tips to format a cover letter

Ashley DeLeon / The Balance

Letter Length

A cover letter should be three or four paragraphs at most, and shouldn't be longer than one page. If you need to you can adjust the margins (see below) to fit your letter on a single page.

Pick a Simple Font

Cover letter presentation matters as much as what you include. When writing cover letters, it's important to use a basic font that is easy to read. Depending on the hiring process your cover letter may be viewed in an applicant tracking system or other online hiring system. Those systems work best reading simple text rather than fancy formatting.

Using a basic 12 point font will ensure that your cover letter is easy to read. Basic fonts like Arial, Verdana, Calibri, and Times New Roman work well. Your cover letter font should match the font you use in your resume.

Set Your Margins

The standard margins for a business letter are 1". However, if you are having trouble condensing your letter to fit on a single page you can shorten up the top, bottom and side margins to 3/4" or 1/2" or even a little tighter.

Leave Plenty of White Space

Don't forget to leave space below your greeting, between each paragraph, and after your closing.

Carefully Proofread the Letter

Take the time to proof your letter before you send or upload it. It can be easier to double check if you print out a copy or read it out loud.

Review a Formatted Cover Letter

This is a cover letter example. Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online) or see below for more examples.

Screenshot of a cover letter

Review a Formatted Cover Letter (Text Version)

Carson Applicant
123 Main Street
Anytown, CA 12345
555-555-5555
carson.applicant@email.com

July 19, 2021

Preston Lee
Manager
Acme Insurance
123 Business Rd.
Business City, NY 54321

Dear Mr. Lee:

I am writing to apply for the position of part-time Front Desk Receptionist as posted on LocalJobs.com. After reading the posting, I’m confident I would be an excellent fit for your office. In addition to my experience as a receptionist, last summer I worked as a night auditor at a local hotel.

I’m currently a sophomore at Northern University, and my schedule would fit the role well because I have nights and weekends free. When I was in high school, I worked as a part-time receptionist for a local dentist. I’m particularly proud that I was given the responsibilities of a receptionist at such a young age. I learned how to work with people, answer phones, schedule patients and answer many of their questions.

I’ve attached my resume so you can see my current education, goals, and experience. My email is carson.applicant@email.com, and my cell phone is 555-555-5555. I would like to schedule a time to discuss the job opportunity.

Sincerely,

Signature (hard copy letter)

Carson Applicant

Review More Cover Letter Samples

Next, take a look at more cover letter samples, plus review tips for creating cover letters that will have the maximum positive impact on employers.

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