A good looking and effective cover letter should follow a simple but definite format. Reading the below guidelines before writing your cover letter should help you get started. If you’re looking for a “fill-in-the-blanks” solution, I recommend the Amazing Cover Letter Creator software tool.

Cover Letter Formats & Formatting Tips

Although there are no official formatting rules to adhere to while formatting your cover letters, it is essential to maintain certain basic formats. These lend a proper look to your cover letter and assure better presentation. Your cover letter should essentially be in simple and lucid language without much ambiguity.

Write your full home address at the top right or left hand corner. Leave a line and write the date. Thereafter leave sufficient gap and write name and full address of the addressee. Again, leave a gap and write a personalized greeting in a formal tone. It is essential to be aware of the particular person you are mailing your cover letter. You can call up the company and inquire the name of the concerned person.

After the text, closing of the letter should adhere to formal closings like sincerely yours. You have to follow it with your signature and your full name underneath. You can highlight important information in your cover letter in bold. This helps reader to gather important information within few seconds.

Since employers receive resumes and cover letters in hoards, they spare hardly a second or minute to go through the entire letter. Therefore, such small things can help garner more attention to your cover letter and resume too. Your cover letter should be concise and pinpoint important information. Being concise does not mean any compromise on information. You should therefore present information tactfully.

Your cover letter should be free of any typos or grammatical mistakes. Such errors create a very poor impression on the minds of the employer. They thereafter do not consider your resume at all. The tone should be cordial and confident expressing your enthusiasm and positive outlook. At the same time, do not overdo or exaggerate.

Try to use the active voice in your cover letter and reduce usage of I, me, and mine. Use the same font, style, and stationery in your cover letter and resume. Normal size of such letters are 8 ½” x 11″. Spread out details of your cover letter into appropriate paragraphs. The first paragraph is more of an introduction and gives an idea of how you became aware of the relevant vacancy.

The second paragraph details your qualifications and other relevant work experiences as suitable to the company in question. You should be careful to highlight how you can be an asset to the company and not give credence to the benefits to you. However, your cover letter should not be repetitive of your resume.

The final paragraph indicates your willingness to work for the company. Additionally, it also professes a particular date for receiving information about the status of your application. Such an assertive approach appeals to most employers