How to Format a Cover Letter: Layout Examples for 2022

Most applicants know nothing about the cover letter format—layouts are sloppy, and the contents basically put readers to sleep.

What if I told you that in 7 minutes, you’d be the only one to learn how to wake everyone up?

This guide will show you:

• Cover letter format example better than 9 out of 10 others.
• How to format a cover letter to impress employers with your attention to detail.
• The best cover letter formatting tips that recruiters will thank you for.
• And ideas for a modern or traditional but always proper cover letter format.

Want to write your perfectly formatted cover letter in 15 minutes? Use our cover letter templates here.

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Sample cover letter made with our builder—See more cover letter examples here.

Here’s how to format a cover letter step by step:

1. Format Your Cover Letter for a Job Application
2. Create a Professional Cover Letter Header
3. Start With a Personal Salutation and a Strong Opening
4. Make an Offer and Explain Your Motivation in the Central Paragraphs
5. Use a Clear Call to Action
6. Finish with a Professional Sign-Off

Cover Letter Format Example

How to Format a Cover Letter?

Let me walk you through how you can format your cover letter equally well:

1. Format Your Cover Letter for a Job Application

Start with the basic formatting before you get down to writing. You’ll benefit from the effort you’ll put into creating your cover letter template. Here’s everything you need to know:

• Pick a legible cover letter font, like Arial, Calibri, or Verdana, and keep it between 10 and 12 font-size points. 
• Set margins to 1 inch on each side of the page.
• Adjust cover letter spacing: double spacing between paragraphs and 1–1.15 between lines.
• Left-align all contents.
• Limit the length of your cover letter to one page.
• Save your cover letter in PDF. It’s the best electronic cover letter format because it keeps the cover letter layout intact.
• Name the cover letter file by YourName—JobTitle—CoverLetter.pdf.

Are you sending a cover letter via email? Here’s exactly what you need to format your electronic letter: Email Cover Letter Writing Guidelines

2. Create a Professional Cover Letter Header

You need to have specific details handy to write a cover letter header. And they are:

• Your full name, mailing address, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile handle.
• Date of writing
• Hiring manager’s or recruiter’s name, job title, company name, and location.

Addressing the cover letter right is the single most important thing in cover letter writing. Fail at this stage, and your application is good to go (to the trash).

Here’s the correct way of formatting the cover letter header:

Professional Cover Letter Format—Heading

Leave a slightly larger space between your contact information and the date of writing.

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3. Start With a Personal Salutation and a Strong Opening

There’s excellent research that shows nothing activates our brains as much as hearing or seeing our own name. So open your cover letter with the correct name, and you’ll get the attention you deserve. 

You can look for the name in the job description, company website, or LinkedIn. Call the company and ask for the hiring manager’s name if you're struggling.

Cover Letter Format—Salutation

• Dear Ashley,
• Dear Ms. Jones,
• Dear Ashley Jones,

By no means open the cover letter with “To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Sir or Madam.” Nothing screams generic more than these two. Go for “Dear [XYZ Team] Hiring Manager” or “Dear Hiring Manager” if all strategies have failed.

Now that you have the recruiter’s attention, use one of those opening strategies:

• Mention a significant (yet relevant) accomplishment you’re proud of
• Discuss something you love about the company you’re applying to
• Comment on the recent award or news the company was honored by
• Drop names
• Showcase your passion, skill, or other outstanding quality

See this example of a powerful opening paragraph:

Cover Letter Format Example—Opening

4. Make an Offer and Explain Your Motivation in the Central Paragraphs

In the main parts of your cover letter, focus on what you have to offer, not what you want out of a job. And then make them feel special. Let your cover letter say why exactly you want to join them, not any other company. 

These points should help you figure out how to sell yourself in the cover letter:

• Read the job ad carefully. Identify the key challenges your future employer is facing. Then, explain how you can help them.
• Emphasize how your expertise will help solve their problems. You can use bullet points to break up the text and highlight your achievements with numbers.
• Explain your motivation. Once your employer understands they want you, they’ll want to know why you want them.

Format of a Cover Letter—Body

Are you intimidated by those achievements? You must be at the beginning of your journey then. Read more: Cover Letter Writing Tips for No-Experience Candidates

5. Use a Clear Call to Action

The hiring manager wants to give you a shot already, so don’t let them change their mind. Finish your cover letter with a compelling call to action. This is how:

• Reiterate your value and sum up your qualifications in a single sentence.
• Ask for a call or a meeting.
• Restate that you can help them achieve their objectives.

How to Format a Cover Letter—Call to Action

6. Finish with a Professional Sign-Off

A cover letter closing format is the same as any other formal business letter. Write “Sincerely” and sign off with your full name one or two lines underneath. 

Optionally, include a digital copy of your handwritten signature in your sign-off. It will add a professional touch.

Proper Cover Letter Format

Now that you’re stocked with cover letter formatting tips see what the best cover letter looks like:

Cascade

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If you want a format that focuses on what’s important in a cover letter, you’re right to choose Cascade. The darker sidebar covers the boring, leaving your hiring manager with the juicy and plenty of white space they can rest their eyes on.

Cubic

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Looking at Cubic, you can tell it was made for C-suite professionals. It’s elegant. It’s neat. It’s perfect. The heading is designed to highlight your position, so use it to your advantage if you’re a senior candidate with an impressive resume.

Iconic

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Are you recruiting to the creative industry? Then Iconic is a perfect cover letter format for someone with a knack for design and communication. Iconic will help you tell your story thanks to a sleek layout that feels complete.

Primo

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Sometimes you want things to be uncomplicated, and you want to be direct and put your thoughts down uninterrupted. The Primo cover letter format gives you just that.

Vibes

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Entry-level candidates—here’s something just for you. A splash of color and square icons will add personal vibes to your cover letter. It is precisely what employers are looking for in candidates like yourself.

Key Takeaway

In a nutshell, this is how to format a cover letter:

• Use one-inch margins, single line spacing, and 11 to 12 pt font.
• In the top-left corner, put your contact details, city and date, and the employer's contact details.
• Open with a personal salutation.
• In the body of your letter, open with the hook, make an offer, and explain your motivation.
• Finish with a clear call to action.
• Sign off with a “sincerely” and your full name.

All check? Then you can be sure your cover letter for a job is formatted perfectly.

Want to learn more about cover letter setup? Have additional questions we didn’t answer above? Drop me a line in the comments, and I’ll be happy to chat!