Cover Letter Length and Formatting: Getting It Right

The Ideal Cover Letter Length

The golden rule: One page maximum, consisting of 3-4 substantial paragraphs, or approximately 250-400 words. Australian hiring managers spend an average of 30 seconds scanning cover letters. You need to make every word count.

Why Length Matters

• Too long: Shows you can't communicate concisely
• Too short: Suggests lack of effort or interest
• Just right: Demonstrates professionalism and respect for their time

Standard Business Letter Format

Margins and Spacing

• Margins: 2.5cm (1 inch) on all sides
• Line spacing: Single space within paragraphs
• Paragraph spacing: Double space between paragraphs
• Alignment: Left-aligned (not justified)

Font Selection

• Best choices: Arial, Calibri, Helvetica, Times New Roman
• Size: 10-12 points (11pt recommended)
• Color: Black only
• Style: No bold, italics, or underline except your name

Structure Breakdown

Header (Contact Information)

Your Name
Address
Phone | Email

[Date]

Hiring Manager Name
Company Name
Address

Body (3-4 Paragraphs)

Paragraph 1 (2-3 sentences): Position, interest, value proposition
Paragraph 2 (4-5 sentences): Key qualifications and achievements
Paragraph 3 (3-4 sentences): Why this company, cultural fit
Paragraph 4 (2-3 sentences): Call to action, thank you

File Format Best Practices

• Save as: PDF (unless specified otherwise)
• File naming: FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter_CompanyName.pdf
• Test: Open the PDF on another device to ensure formatting holds

ATS-Friendly Formatting

Applicant Tracking Systems scan cover letters. Ensure yours is ATS-compatible:

• Use standard section headings
• Avoid headers/footers
• Don't use text boxes or tables
• Stick to standard fonts
• No images, logos, or graphics
• Use standard bullet points (• not ✓ or →)

Common Formatting Mistakes

• ❌ Multiple fonts or colors
• ❌ Decorative borders or graphics
• ❌ Unusual fonts or sizes
• ❌ Inconsistent spacing
• ❌ More than one page
• ❌ Tiny margins to fit more text

Industry Variations

Creative fields: Can add subtle design elements, but keep it professional
Corporate/Government: Strictly traditional format
Tech/Startups: Standard format preferred, focus on content

Checklist