Read on to learn exactly what information to include your cover letter’s header and how to format it.
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What to include in your cover letter’s header
Your cover letter’s header should clearly tell the hiring manager who you are, how to contact you, and who your cover letter is for.
- Full name: Make it the most prominent part, with bolding and a larger font size
- Email address: Use a professional email that includes your name if possible (e.g., jane.doe@email.com)
- Phone number
- City and state: Your full address is generally unnecessary, but employers typically want to know where you’re based
- LinkedIn profile: Include it if your profile is up to date and reflects your professional brand
- Portfolio or personal website: Especially valuable for creative or tech roles (designers, writers, developers, etc.)
- Current job title
- Social media profiles: If relevant to the job
Here’s an example of a properly formatted cover letter header:
ALEXANDRA NGUYEN
Digital Marketing Specialist
📍 Seattle, WA
📞 (206) 555-0198
✉️ alexandra.nguyen@email.com
🔗 linkedin.com/in/alexandranguyen
🌐 alexnguyenportfolio.com
Tips for making an effective cover letter header
Use these tips to create a professional cover letter header:
1. Make it attention-grabbing
Your name is the headline of your cover letter, so treat it like one. Use a slightly larger font size and bold formatting to make it stand out at the top of the page.
Just be careful not to go overboard with colors or fancy fonts. For most jobs, you should stick to a clean, professional design.
2. Keep the formatting consistent
Your header should feel like a natural part of your cover letter, not a separate design. Use the same font, size, and spacing as the rest of the letter to create a clean, unified look.
Avoid switching styles between the header and the body; consistency helps your letter read more smoothly and looks more professional overall.
3. Match your resume
Your cover letter’s header should mirror the formatting of your resume header for a cohesive, professional look. Using the same font, size, and style ties everything together and makes your application feel more polished.
Cover letter header examples
To help you get started, we’ve put together some cover letter header examples you can use as a template.
Traditional cover letter header example
A traditional cover letter header typically lists your contact information and that of the hiring manager on the left side of the page.
Though this format takes up a lot of space, some applicants still prefer it. Here’s an example of what a traditional cover letter header looks like:
[Your Name]
[123 Your Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[123-456-7890]
[your.email@email.com]
[Today’s Date]
[Hiring Manager’s Name]
[123 Company Address]
[Company City, State, Zip]
[123-456-7890]
[hiring.manager@email.com]
Formal cover letter heading examples
Here are some examples of space-saving, professional cover letter headers you can use:
Simple cover letter header
Here’s an example of a traditional cover letter header in black and white:
Cover letter header with name in color
Using color for your first and last name also makes your header stand out to employers, like this example:

Border cover letter header
This applicant uses a border to separate the heading from the rest of their cover letter:

Creative cover letter header examples
If you’re aiming to stand out, creative cover letters are an excellent way to do that.
Color block cover letter header
If you want to liven up your cover letter, use a colored background in your header. Just remember to use appropriate cover letter fonts and colors that are readable and work-appropriate.

Aesthetic cover letter header
This cover letter heading has a gradient background with subtle background graphics to make it pop:

Cover letter header with a logo
You can also try a logo to display your initials or represent your personal brand, like this example:

Are you not a designer, or do you simply not have the time to make your own template? Try using a cover letter template to save time and choose from a variety of options.

Lauren Mastroni
Digital Content Writer
Lauren Mastroni is a Digital Content Writer dedicated to creating engaging content and providing actionable advice that empowers people in their job searches. An enthusiastic contributor to the Resume Genius team, Lauren has a passion for developing valuable resources for job seekers. Lauren holds an M.S. in Psychology from University of Derby and currently lives in Taipei, Taiwan. She enjoys learning all she can about the career space, and is committed to helping job seekers of all experience levels navigate the job hunt and advance their careers. You can reach Lauren at lauren@resumegenius.com.
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