Cover Letter Header: What to Include + Format & Examples

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Table of contents

What to Include in a Cover Letter Header
What Not to Include in a Cover Letter Header
6 Cover Letter Header Examples
How to Format Your Cover Letter Header
Final Thoughts
FAQ

Learning how to write a strong cover letter header is one of the first steps in making a professional first impression.

Your header establishes your credibility as a professional and introduces your brand. Plus, displaying your contact information is critical to your resume's success.

In this guide, we'll cover:

What to include in a cover letter header
What not to include
Proper cover letter header format
Professional cover letter header examples

Need help getting your cover letter off to a strong start? Resume Now's AI Cover Letter Generator provides expert-approved formatting and ready-to-use content tailored to your role.

What to Include in a Cover Letter Header

A cover letter header should be simple, accurate, and easy to scan. Don't lose sight of the purpose of your header—it exists to present your contact information clearly and effectively so that the employer can get in touch with you.

Required Information for a Cover Letter Header

Every cover letter header should include the following information:

Your name: Use your full name in a larger font than the rest of the letter. This helps it stand out and aligns your cover letter with your resume.
Your contact information: Include your phone number, a professional email address, and your city and state.

Optional Information for a Cover Letter Header

While not strictly required, a strong cover letter can feature the following extra details:

Links to a LinkedIn profile
Links to a professional portfolio

Pro tip

Including links to your LinkedIn or portfolio can strengthen your application, especially in creative industries. Only include links that are relevant and up to date. If a profile is outdated or unprofessional, leave it off.

What Not to Include in a Cover Letter Header

Your cover letter header should be brief and focused. Leave off unnecessary details like the following:

Full mailing address
Multiple social media links
Personal details such as age or marital status
Decorative graphics that distract from readability

Pro tip

Your header shouldn't include any information besides the essentials that will help employers learn where you're located and how to reach you. If you have more than one or two portfolios or social media links you'd like to include, make a separate section for them in your resume instead.

6 Cover Letter Header Examples

Classic 6

Build Resume

This header uses strong typography and confident spacing to emphasize leadership and professionalism.

Modern 8

Build Resume

The following header uses a color block to make the candidate's contact information stand out.

Simplify

Build Resume

This header is neat and professional, with contact information arranged neatly beneath the candidate's name.

Contemporary 2

Build Resume

This header aligns the candidate's name to the left and details to the right, allowing the employer to easily scan the letter left to right.

Executive 2

Build Resume

This neat, center-aligned header uses a clear and easily readable font.

Contemporary 5

Build Resume

This cover letter header uses color to capture the eye and draw attention to the candidate's contact information and LinkedIn profile.

How to Format Your Cover Letter Header

Learning how to write a cover letter header is easy, but formatting your header properly is critical to ensuring your information is legible for both hiring managers and applicant tracking systems (ATS). Keep these tips in mind as you build your header:

Use a larger font for your header than for the rest of your cover letter. Use a font size between 10 and 12 points for your letter's body, and between 14 and 20 points for the header, keeping everything within a single page.
Only use visible, high-contrast colors to make your cover letter header pop. Darker colors often work best since lighter colors, like yellow, can sometimes be too light to read.
Choose an easy-to-read font in your cover letter header. Avoid script or fonts like Comic Sans, which can be difficult for a recruiter to read and could confuse an applicant tracking system (ATS).

Final Thoughts

A clean, modern header signals professionalism before a hiring manager reads your first paragraph. When formatting your letter, focus on clarity, consistency, and cohesion with your resume to create an application that impresses employers from the outset.

If you're unsure how to structure your full letter, try a professionally designed cover letter template for ready-to-use layouts. Browse cover letter examples from professionals in your field to see how a polished header and strong content work together to make a stand-out application.

FAQ

Is letterhead the same as a cover letter header?

No. A letterhead is a printed heading at the top of stationery. It contains the sender's name and, if the stationery is being used for a company's correspondence, a logo and address.

Cover letter headers, on the other hand, are most often sent digitally and always contain the applicant's name, location, and contact information so that recruiters can contact them for a job interview.

How do you title a cover letter?

The best way to title your cover letter is to use your name, the job title you seek, and the type of document it is (in this case, "cover letter"). For example, you might title your cover letter, "anne_dennis_cashier_cover_letter.jpg" or "patricia_kim_accountant_cover_letter.doc."

Shorter and simpler are almost always better, and your file name should never include unhelpful text like strings of numbers.

What is a good headline for a cover letter?

A good headline for a cover letter clearly states the position you're applying for and may briefly highlight your key qualifications.

For example, "Senior Accountant With CPA, Specializing in Large Business Clients" or "Marketing Manager With 8+ Years of Experience." To make a good headline, ensure it's concise, relevant, and aligned with the job posting.

What are common headline mistakes to avoid?

Common headline mistakes to avoid include being too vague, overly creative, or unrelated to the job title. You should also avoid misspellings or listing an incorrect position.

A clear, specific headline that matches the role helps maintain professionalism and improves clarity for hiring managers.

Is a header necessary on a cover letter?

Yes, a header is necessary on a cover letter because it provides your contact information in a clear and readable fashion and establishes a professional format.

Even if you're submitting your application online, a header ensures your letter looks complete and makes it easy for recruiters to identify and contact you.

Should a cover letter header match your resume?

Yes, your cover letter header should match the one on your resume. Using the same name styling, font, and contact details creates a cohesive application package and reinforces your personal brand.

Make sure your cover letter and resume look cohesive by choosing a premade cover letter template and a matching resume template.

Do you still include the employer's address in a cover letter?

Yes, you should still include the employer's name and company location in a formal cover letter format. Including this information just beneath your header keeps your letter structured and professional, especially when submitting a PDF or printed application.

If you don't know who to address your cover letter to, investigate the job listing, the company's website, and their LinkedIn accounts.

Why don't you use a full mailing address on a cover letter anymore?

You don't typically include a full mailing address in a cover letter header anymore because most job applications are submitted online. Employers don't need your street address to contact you, and including it can clutter your header.

Plus, fraudulent job listings are common, and limiting the personal information you share with employers helps secure your digital safety.

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Heather is the Content Strategy Manager for Resume Now and a Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW) with more than ten years of experience writing about job search and career topics. She is based in San Francisco.