What Does a Cover Letter Look Like? (Examples & Formatting Tips)

A cover letter is usually the first impression you make on a potential employer. While resumes focus on listing qualifications, cover letters allow you to provide more context, showcase your personality and give concrete examples of your abilities.

While the content of a cover letter is definitely its most important aspect, how the letter looks will play a big part on how much attention it gets from recruiters and hiring managers.

Read our guide to see how to make your cover letter look more professional.

What Should a Cover Letter Look Like? (With Example)

A cover letter should look clear, concise, and tailored to the job you're applying for. It typically includes an introduction, a few body paragraphs highlighting your skills and qualifications, and a strong closing statement. The layout should be clean and professional, with a standard business letter format.

For more great examples of what a cover letter should look like, check out our library of cover letter examples for any job or industry.

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Different Sections of a Cover Letter

A strong cover letter follows a clear outline that helps you effectively communicate your qualifications and enthusiasm for the job. Following a standard cover letter format ensures your cover letter is professional, engaging and impactful. Below, we break down the different sections of a great cover letter.

Your contact information (Where recruiters can reach you.)

Your contact information appears at the top of your cover letter. Your full name should be the largest and most noticeable part of your letter. Below your name, include your phone number, professional email address, and location (city and state are sufficient). Add any relevant links, such as a personal website, online portfolio, or LinkedIn profile.

Keep this section concise and well-organized to maintain a clean layout and direct attention to the main content of your letter.

Salutation: addressing the hiring manager (How to personalize your greeting.)

Address your cover letter directly to the hiring manager or the person who will read it first. If you know their name, use it (e.g., "Dear Mr. Smith" or "Dear Ms. Johnson"). If you can’t find a name, use a professional alternative like "Dear Hiring Manager" or "Dear [Department] Team".

Avoid generic greetings like "To Whom It May Concern," as they feel impersonal. A well-addressed letter shows effort and professionalism.

Introduction: grab the reader’s attention (How to open with impact.)

Your cover letter introduction should immediately capture the reader’s attention and provide key details highlighting your qualifications. Start by stating your job title and level of experience, followed by a mention of your most relevant skills and how you apply them in a specialized way.

Express genuine enthusiasm for the role and briefly mention how you heard about the opportunity. Finally, connect the position to your career goals, explaining why it’s an excellent fit for you. Keep it concise yet impactful to encourage the hiring manager to keep reading.

Here’s an example of a strong cover letter introduction:

Body paragraphs: showcase your skills & experience (Highlight your value with examples.)

The body of your cover letter should showcase your relevant experience, key skills, and the value you bring to the role. Use this section to expand on your qualifications by:

• Highlighting specific achievements or accomplishments from previous roles.
• Providing concrete examples of how you applied your skills to drive results.
• Using metrics, numbers, or statistics to quantify your impact whenever possible.

You can focus on multiple qualifications, elaborate on one standout skill, or describe a key project where your abilities were on full display. Keep your writing clear and tailored to the job description, demonstrating how your experience aligns with the employer’s needs.

Here are some examples of strong cover letter body paragraphs:

Remember to provide context and detail around these achievements. Describe the project or the processes you implemented to meet and exceed goals. 

Conclusion: end with a strong call to action (How to close with confidence.)

Wrap up your cover letter with a strong conclusion. First, summarize the qualifications and skills you mentioned in the body and reiterate why you’re a great fit for the position. End the letter with a polite call to action, expressing interest in discussing your skills further.

Sign-off: leave a professional final impression (Proper ways to conclude your letter.)

Finish off with a professional closing statement, such as:

• "Sincerely,"
• "Best regards,"
• "Thank you for your time and consideration,"

Follow your sign-off with your full name, and when submitting a printed copy, leave space for a signature.

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Cover Letter Formatting Best Practices

A well-structured cover letter format is essential for making a strong first impression. Hiring managers often scan cover letters quickly, so a clean, consistent layout ensures your key information is easy to find. Proper formatting enhances readability and reflects your professionalism and attention to detail.

Below are the key formatting elements that make a cover letter look polished:

Create a bold header

Your cover letter header is the first thing hiring managers see, making it a crucial part of your application. It ensures your letter is easy to identify and helps it stand out in a competitive job market.

While your header should remain clean and professional, this is the best place to incorporate subtle design elements or color accents to make your letter visually appealing. You can choose a color and style that aligns with your personal brand or use the company's colors to demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.

Your cover letter header should include:

• Your name in large, bold letters.
• City and state (full address is optional).
• Phone number and professional email address.
• A personal website, portfolio, or LinkedIn profile.

A well-designed header ensures your cover letter is visually appealing and easy to find in a hiring manager’s inbox.

Use consistent alignment and spacing

Just like color and design, the text formatting of your cover letter plays a key role in its professional appearance. A well-structured letter should have consistent alignment, spacing, and formatting to ensure readability and a polished look.

Follow these formatting guidelines:

• Set one-inch margins on all sides.
• Use line spacing between 1.15 and 1.5 for clarity.
• Align text to the left (justified alignment is optional but should be used carefully for readability).
• Leave adequate space between paragraphs to improve readability and visual flow.

Maintaining a clean and uniform format makes your cover letter easier to read and leaves a strong professional impression.

Choose a professional font

Selecting the right cover letter font is crucial for both legibility and professionalism. Your font should be easy to read while maintaining a professional appearance.

While you may want to use a unique font to help your cover letter stand out, it's best to stick with widely accepted, professional fonts that are clear and easy to scan. Choose a size between 10 and 12 for easy readability. Some great options include:

The right font can make your cover letter stand out while maintaining its clean and professional style.

Keep it short and concise

Hiring managers quickly scan cover letters, so keep yours brief and impactful. Aim for a cover letter length of three to five paragraphs or 250 to 400 words.

Start with a strong introduction highlighting who you are and why you're a great fit. Follow with one to three body paragraphs showcasing your most relevant skills and achievements, using specific examples when possible.

End with a compelling conclusion reinforcing your enthusiasm and a clear call to action. A simple cover letter concise ensures it grabs attention without overwhelming the reader.

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Your cover letter will most likely be the first impression you’ll make on a hiring manager. It should be both noteworthy and clean; striking that balance is crucial to gain and maintain a potential employer’s attention. Following these steps and expert tips can get you there.

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