Navigating cover letter formatting can be perplexing in today’s digital-first job market. The shift from paper to online applications has altered many traditional rules, raising questions about what information is still relevant, such as a physical home address.
The Modern Standard for Your Address
Including your full street address on a cover letter is no longer standard practice. The primary driver for this change is the evolution of the hiring process. With applications submitted electronically, the original purpose of a physical address for postal correspondence is obsolete, as employers will use your email or phone number to communicate.
This shift is also rooted in growing awareness around privacy and security. Providing your exact location in an initial application can expose sensitive personal information unnecessarily. Withholding this detail until it is required later in the hiring process is a prudent measure to protect your privacy.
Omitting a street address can help mitigate potential biases. A hiring manager might make assumptions based on your neighborhood or calculate a presumed commute time. Removing the street address ensures the focus remains squarely on your qualifications and professional experience.
Essential Contact Information to Include
While your full street address is often excluded, providing clear contact information is a requirement of a professional cover letter. Place this information in the header of the document. Your full name should be prominent, followed by your direct phone number and a professional email address that is a simple variation of your name.
Including a hyperlink to your LinkedIn profile is now a standard expectation. A complete LinkedIn profile acts as an extension of your resume, offering a more detailed look at your professional background. If your field is creative or technical, a link to a well-organized online portfolio is also highly recommended.
A widely accepted compromise is to include your city and state. For instance, “San Francisco, CA” is sufficient to signal your location to an employer, which is useful for locally-focused roles while protecting your specific street address.
Exceptions When an Address is Recommended
Despite the modern trend of omitting a physical address, there are specific situations where including it is still advisable and can strengthen your application. Applications for government and federal positions often require a full address as part of their formal and standardized hiring protocols. Failing to provide it in these cases could render an application incomplete.
Including your address is also strategic when applying for a role where being local is a distinct advantage. It immediately communicates to the hiring manager that you are in the area, potentially available for in-person interviews at short notice, and would not face a difficult commute. This can be a subtle but effective way to stand out, especially in industries that value local community ties.
If you are in the process of relocating to the city where the job is located, using your new or a confirmed future address can demonstrate a serious commitment to the move. For candidates in highly traditional industries such as law or academia, adhering to the classic business letter format, which includes a full address, is often still valued and expected.
Formatting the Employer’s Address
Unlike your own address, including the employer’s physical address on your cover letter remains a best practice in formal applications. This detail demonstrates a high level of professionalism and attention to detail. It shows that you have taken the time to research the company and are not simply sending out generic applications.
Properly formatting the employer’s information signals that you understand formal business communication standards. It reinforces the impression that you are a thorough and considerate candidate. This section of the cover letter adds a traditional, polished touch, even when the document is submitted digitally as a PDF attachment.
The standard format for the employer’s address is to place it on the top-left side of the page, just below your own contact information and the date. You should begin with the hiring manager’s full name, if known. Follow this with their professional title, the company’s full name, and then the company’s street address, city, state, and zip code, each on a separate line.