The Best Font For Cover Letters 2021

A cover letter is a formal document that the hiring manager read before even getting familiar with your resume. It is a letter that explains who you are and what makes you the best candidate. However, recruiters read hundreds of cover letters a day, so it is important to make them look good and easy to read.

That is why you should decide which font to use for the cover letter. There are numerous variations, so even the most experienced specialists can’t decide what the best font for cover letters 2021 is, what margins to use, and what size font for a cover letter is better.

In these guidelines, we will discuss both sans and serif fonts, which will make your self-presentation smooth and attractive.

A Cover Letter Font and Size

If you get familiar with good examples of presentation and application documents, you will notice that all of them have professional, tidy, and readable fonts. This means that in your cover letter, you should avoid complicated fonts with special characters, flourishes, and other design features that are not appropriate for a formal document.

Remember that modern employers use applicant tracking systems to rank papers – software that scans documents on clearness and keywords. That is why a cover letter font size and type is essential if you want to land an interview and get a dream job.

But if you can’t use creative fonts, it doesn’t mean that your application letter should be plain and boring. You can stand out picking something apart from Times New Roman and playing with the size of the spaces. Here is a list of top modern and catchy fonts that are a perfect option for your 2021 cover letter: 

• Jefferson;
• Augustine;
• Arial;
• Verdana;
• Calibri;
• Avenir;
• Trebuchet.

Cover letter font and size come together, so another thing to discuss is how big or small your letters should be. The most common font sizes are 10,11 and 12. A regular cover letter should only be one page long, so you should use the 10 or 11 pt. size if you see that the text is longer than a single page. For the rest of the cases, it is better to choose a 12 pt. font.

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If your text requires a second page, it is better rewriting the content or adjusting the margins than to use a font size smaller than 10 pt. If the hiring manager sees a small font size of a cover letter, they may think it is difficult to read and neglect it, paying attention to other candidates. Plus, scanning software may not read small letters at all.

After the cover letter is ready and you doubt whether you have selected the right size and font, we recommend turning to a friend or a relative and asking for a fresh glance and review. You can also turn to your colleagues or anyone you trust.

The Best Font for a Professional Cover Letter

Now, when you know the best font for a professional cover letter and what size and spacing it is better to use, let us discuss a few tips that will significantly help create a good-looking, readable, and professional cover letter.

1. Don’t use several fonts. Stick to the chosen font throughout the letter. Picking more than one is a bad idea because it confuses the hiring managers and makes your cover letter less professional as if you are not taking the process seriously. It would be a good idea to use the same font for all application letters to stick to a single style.
2. There may be exceptions. Usually, good cover letter fonts are those looking modern and are easy to read. However, there are particular cases when playing with the size, and the font can make your letter more attractive. For example, if you are a designer or occupy any other creative position, adding personalization and style may emphasize your skills. Use 14 or 16 pt. font sizes for headers, bold words, and less frequent fonts. However, don’t overdo it because your cover letter should still look smooth and readable.
3. Choose a proper file format. The best file format is PDF because it allows saving the initial appearance and style of a document. Here are simple instructions on how to do it:

• press File in your document;
• choose Save As;
• in a drop-down menu, choose PDF;
• press Save.

Even though such formats as .docx and .doc are rather widespread, they might save the message incorrectly and look clumsy on the recruiter’s screen.

However, you should always read the requirements attentively because some hiring managers have distinct rules on the format. For example, if it is said that you should send a cover letter as an email, do so instead of attaching a PDF file.