How to Format a Cover Letter Examples of Layout Structure

How to Format a Cover Letter Examples of Layout Structure You came to the right place to learn all you need to know about cover letter formatting.It all boils down to two things:First of all, you need to format a cover letter so that it looks presentable and follows all the rules of business letter formatting etiquette.Secondly, your cover letter has to be structured in a way that makes hiring managers grasp your value proposition fast.SeeMost applicants dont know how to format a cover letter the right way. Their layouts are sloppy and the contents basically put readers to sleep.In 7 minutes, youll be well ahead of all your competition.This guide will show you:How to format a cover letter to impress employers with your attention to detail.What is the best way to structure your cover letter.Cover letter format examples better than 9 out of 10 others.First, have a look at this simple cover letter format for reference. It's presented on a cover letter made with our fast online builder.Want to write your perfectly formatted cover letter in 15 m inutes?Use our cover letter templates and build your version here.Cover Letter Format TemplateCover Letter FormatThats a perfect format for a cover letter. Lets walk through how you can structure your cover letter equally well.Looking for some inspiration on how to craft the contents of your cover letter? Look no further. See: How to Write a Cover/Application Letter in No TimeAnd dont forget to see tailor-made cover letter examples for every profession: Free Cover Letter Samples for Every JobFirst, some super important basics:Cover Letter Formatting RulesSet one-inch margins on all sides.Left-align all contents. Dont use justification, its against the standard rules of business letter formatting.Use business letter format spacing: 1 or 1.15.Put double spaces between paragraphs.Optionally, include a digital copy of your handwritten signature in your sign-off. It will add a nice, professional touch.Save your cover letter in PDF. Its the best electronic cover letter format because it k eeps the layout intact.What's the best cover letter font?Simple, easy-to-read fonts are best for cover letters. Use a professional font like Arial, Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Cambria, or Times New Roman. Avoid custom fonts or special characters.Keep the cover letter font size between 11 and 12 pt.Wondering whats a good cover letter format in an email body? Heres all you need to know about writing email cover letters: Email Cover Letter: How Is It Different?All set? This is where the fun begins.Heres how to format a cover letter step by step:1. Create a Professional Cover Letter Header2. Start With a Personal Salutation and a Strong Opening3. Make an Offer and Explain Your Motivation in the Central Paragraphs4. Use a Clear Call to Action5. Finish with a Professional Sign-OffIn sections below you'll find a detailed explanation of how to follow the proper cover letter format.1Create a Professional Cover Letter HeaderIf youre writing a business cover letter for corporate positions or jobs in traditional industries, this part is especially important.The thing isnowadays surprisingly few people know the proper address format for formal letters. Getting it right will show your attention to detail.Heres a correct way of formatting the cover letter header:Cover Letter Format ExampleHeaderright[Your Full Name][Your Job Title][Street,][City, State][Phone Number][Email][LinkedIn Profile][City, Date][Hiring Managers Name][Hiring Managers Job Title][Company Name][Street,]City, State]Put all of the above information in the top-left corner.Dont have the address (or even the name) of the hiring manager? Need more tips on how to format the address on your cover letter. Heres a guide that will answer all your questions: How to Address a Cover Letter2Start With a Personal Salutation and a Strong OpeningImagine the hiring manager sitting in her office. Shes reviewing job applications and shes already bored out of her mind.She starts reading your cover letter. And suddenlyWOW! I need to interview this one! she screams.How did you manage to accomplish that?You gave her exactly what she wanted at the very top. You addressed her by her name and hooked her with your most shining achievement right after that.See what I mean:Sample Cover Letter Format: SalutationsrightDear Ashley,Dear Ashley Jones,Dear Ms. Jones,wrongTo Whom It May Concern,Hey Team,Dear Sir or Madam,Dear Recruiter,See? All of the right ones are personal. Why is it so important?Theres great research that shows nothing activates our brains as much as hearing or seeing our own name.Pro Tip: If you cant find the name of the hiring manager by no means, dont open your cover letter with Dear Sir or Madam or To Whom It Might Concern. Nothing screams generic more than these two. Instead, go for Dear Hiring Manager, or Dear [XYZ Team] Hiring Manager.Open your resume cover letter with the right name and youll automatically get attention. And once you get itDont. Let. Go.Use the hook. A first paragraph that showcases your most relevant professional win.Cover Letter Format Examples: Opening ParagraphrightTwo months ago, I hit a goal I never thought I'd reach. I pushed SEO traffic to 20 million monthly views. One year ago, traffic for our four sitesall of which I manage through a team of 25 employeesrested at just 4 million per month. Upper management challenged me to lead the team toward doubling our traffic. We hit that goal in just six months, blowing away our sales revenue forecasts in the process.wrongIm writing in response to a job offer for a digital marketing manager. As an enthusiastic marketing professional with seven years of experience, I am sure I would be a perfect addition to your team.Don't have achievements of that magnitude?Don't nibble off your fingernails just yet.Your hook can be almost anything, including:A big accomplishment you're proud of.A fact you love about the company.A recent award or news item the company was honored by.A powerful name to drop.An interestin g fact that shows your passion, skill, or other great quality.Want your resume cover letter format to make a great impression? Showcase your attention to detail and create a cover letter that matches the format and layout of your resume.Create a cover letter and a matching resume in your builder. Heres what it might look like:See more cover letter templates and start writing.One of our users, Nikos, had this to say:[I used] a nice template I found on Zety. My resume is now one page long, not three. With the same stuff.Create your resume nowFor tons of ideas and tips for starting the cover letter in the best way possible, see this guide: How to Start a Cover Letter to Make It Irresistible to Read3Make an Offer and Explain Your Motivation in the Central ParagraphsA professional format of a good cover letter has to follow the key ruleIts more about them than it is about you.In the main body of your cover letter, focus on what you have to offer, not what you want out of the job. And the nMake them feel special. Say why exactly it is that you want to join them, not any other company.How to Format a Basic Job Cover Letter: Central ParagraphsRead 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.Explain your motivation. Once they understand they want you, theyll want to know why you want them.Like in this example.Cover Letter Format Example: Central ParagraphsrightI know your main upcoming challenge will be to grow revenue from your new website(your employers key challenge). With over seven years experience in SEO and social media marketing, and as someone who is passionate about staying on the leading edge of tech,I'm confident I can repeat the growth I achieved with XYZ as your new Digital Marketing Manager(your offer).In my current position, I successfully lead creative strategy and internal development teams. Specifically, I have:Skyrocketed Inbound Marketing ROI by 43%.Reduced Cost Per Lead by 35%.Boosted Landing Page Conversion Rates by 55%(bullet points to grab attention)What impresses me most about your online marketing strategy is that youve managed to build a self-reliant team aligned with two basic key metrics only: traffic and conversions. This perfectly reflects my core professional values (your motivation to join the company).How long should cover letters be? One paragraph? Two pages? Get the answers here: What the Ideal Cover Letter Length Is and Why It Can Make All the DifferenceIf your examples seem too intimidating and you feel you really have no relevant experience to showcase, see our cover letter guide for freshers: Cover Letter With No Experience: Examples and Writing Tips4Use a Clear Call to ActionThe hiring manager kind of wants to give you a shot already.Dont let her change her mind. Finish with a compelling call to action.How to Format a Cover Letter Call to ActionReiterate 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.Cover Letter Format Examples: Call to ActionrightI'm adept at reading Google and user search intent, then translating that to measurable returns. Can we schedule a call to discuss ideas for growing your revenue by 25% in 2018?The hiring manager would have to be insane to say no to that!wrongI know Ill make a great employee. This opportunity is just perfect for me. It would mean the world to me if you gave me a shot. Im looking forward for your call.This one, in turn, is desperate and needyand recruiters dont like such candidates.There are more great strategies to finish a cover letter on a strong note. Learn about them from this handy guide: How to End a Cover Letter Right5Finish with a Professional Sign-OffThe format of a cover letter closing is the same as in any other formal b usiness letter.How to Format a Cover Letter ClosingThank the hiring manager for their time.Write sincerely or use its synonym.Sign off with your full name.Include a professional cover letter enclosure.In the footer below your name, add your basic contact details.And heres a handy cover letter closing format sample:Cover Letter Closing Format ExamplerightThank you for your time. I look forward to hearing from you.Mary Chao402-214-2558marychao@gmail.comhttp://linkedin.com/in/maryzchaoRemember to make your cover letter title professional and memorable so you don't get lost in the sea of other candidate applications.Pro Tip: Once you send your cover letter, dont just sit and wait. Remember to follow up on your job application to show that youre really enthusiastic about the job.For more cover letter tips, tricks, and easy-to-use hacks that can boost your chances of landing that dream job, read this guide: Simple Cover Letter Tips and Insider Hacks from HR ProsAnd if you're prefer to kee p things short and sweet, take a look at this: Short Cover Letter Examples for a Speedy Job ApplicationKey TakeawayWe've covered all you need to know about proper cover letter formatting. 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 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 synonym and your full name.Add your basic contact details below your signature.All check? Then you can be sure your cover letter for a job is formatted perfectly.Want to learn more about cover letter formatting? Have additional questions we didnt answer above? Drop me a line in the comments and Ill be happy to chat!