Cover Letter Header Writing Guide (With Examples)

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.

Here’s an example of a properly formatted cover letter header:

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:

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: