Wondering how to make a cover letter stand out? Of course you are; that’s why you’re here.
In recent years, an inevitable hype has surrounded creative resume designs due to their incredible effect when it comes to setting candidates apart. However, while everybody focused on their resume, many forgot that a cover letter layout design is equally as important as the resume design itself.
Here, we’ll discuss how to make a cover letter stand out by getting into the details like some of the best fonts for cover letters, how to design an eye-capturing cover letter layout, and everything else that will make your job application great. But first, why should you even focus on the design of a cover letter layout?
Why Focus on the Design of a Cover Letter Layout?
Ever heard of the saying, “first impressions are everything”? Well, it’s true, and they are. Your cover letter is a potential employer’s very first impression of who you are, your personality, qualifications, and your goals. It’s your way to develop your very own personal brand.
A great cover letter layout can provide you with credibility and make you seem a lot more legitimate to future employers.
Tips on the Graphic Design of a Cover Letter
A Decorative Border
A border can be used to represent your career path, your sense of adventure, or places all your experience has taken you so far. It’s a great and simple way to add some creativity to your cover letter layout.
For an eye-capturing approach, go ahead and use a background image for your border. However, ensure that it’s one that reflects either your hobbies, passions, skills, or the industry in which you’re applying for.
Illustrate Your Brand With a Custom Header
Do you want to make a good impression? Sure you do. Take a risk, show your future employer you’re inventive, competent, and reliable, and go ahead and create a custom header.
When choosing your custom header, similar to the border, you can also opt-in for the image option. You must ensure that the image you select is not too busy, as too much going on will distract from your header text (which is the most critical part).
A Column Layout to Divide Information Into Sections
Traditional cover letter layouts include contact information in the header or footer. However, with a visual cover letter, you’re provided with the opportunity to get a little creative. Of course, you can choose to put it in the header or footer, or you can go for the spinal column at the side of the page. To do this, ensure you divide your information into sections.
Cover Letter Font
A general rule of thumb is that you’re able to use some of the best fonts for cover letters, but you can only use up to three different cover letter font styles. If you use too many variations of cover letter fonts, your visuals are going to end up looking cluttered and disorganized.
Try to stick to:
- One font for headers
- One font for sub-headers
- One font for body text
Illustrate information With Cool Icons
Get creative in how you list your experience, skills, or your passions by using cool icons. They are simplified vector graphics used to represent a wide range of concepts, and are perfect for adding creativity to your cover letter layout.
Enhance your design with just some of the ideas in where to include icons below:
- Draw some attention to essential section headers
- Create a fun or professional logo
- Create an eye-capturing illustration
- Emphasize critical points like contact information
- Replace bullet points in your listings
End With a Slick Signature
Including a signature definitely isn’t a requirement; however, it’s a very slick personal touch to end your cover letter. Unique design touches like this will help your cover letter stand out and thus; be better remembered.
Expert Writing Tips for Your Cover Letter
While the design of your cover letter layout will help grab the initial attention of your future employer, your text is what is going to actually sell them on your qualifications.
To ensure you get it right the first time, you can use Cowrite’s cutting-edge technology that sits within our unique cover letter builder. Our cover letter builder will help you write a professional cover letter in just a few minutes, and will play a significant role in helping you to land your dream job.
Click here to get started.
Karen Maristani
Karen invented writing, the airplane, and the internet. She was also the first person to reach the North Pole. She has flown to Mars and back in one day, and was enthusiastically greeted by Aliens. She has also worked as a copywriter and journalist for many years and has helped hundreds of people writing the perfect job application.