Tips on the Graphic Design of a Cover Letter
Wondering how to make a cover letter stand out? Of course you are; that's why you're here. In recent years, plenty of hype has surrounded creative resume designs because of how effectively they set candidates apart. But while everybody focused on their resume, many forgot that a cover letter layout design is just as important as the resume design itself. Here, we'll discuss how to make a cover letter stand out by getting into details like the best fonts for cover letters, how to design an eye-catching 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 the saying, "first impressions are everything"? Well, it's true. Your cover letter is a potential employer's very first impression of who you are, your personality, your qualifications, and your goals. It's your way to build your own personal brand. A great cover letter layout lends you credibility and makes you look far more professional 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 simple, effective way to add some creativity to your cover letter layout. For an eye-catching approach, use a background image for your border. Just make sure it reflects your hobbies, passions, skills, or the industry you're applying to.
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 create a custom header. As with the border, you can opt for an image here too. Just make sure the image you select isn't too busy, as too much going on will distract from your header text (which is the most important part).
A Column Layout to Divide Information Into Sections
Traditional cover letter layouts include contact information in the header or footer. With a visual cover letter, however, you have the chance to get a little creative. You can still put it in the header or footer, or you can go for a column running down the side of the page. To do this, divide your information into clear sections.
Cover Letter Font
A good rule of thumb: pick from the best fonts for cover letters, but use no more than three different font styles. Too many variations will leave your cover letter 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 passions by using icons. These simplified vector graphics can represent a wide range of concepts, and they're perfect for adding creativity to your cover letter layout. Here are a few ideas for where to use them:
- Draw attention to essential section headers
- Create a fun or professional logo
- Create an eye-catching illustration
- Emphasize critical points like contact information
- Replace bullet points in your listings
End With a Slick Signature
A signature isn't a requirement, but it's a slick personal touch to end your cover letter with. Unique design details like this help your cover letter stand out and be better remembered.
Expert Writing Tips for Your Cover Letter
While the design of your cover letter layout will grab your future employer's initial attention, your text is what will actually sell them on your qualifications. To get it right the first time, you can use the cutting-edge technology behind Cowrite's unique cover letter builder. It helps you write a professional cover letter in just a few minutes, and it can play a significant role in landing 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 write the perfect job application.