Put the current date on your cover letter—the day you send it. If you are mailing a physical letter, use the date you print and mail it; if emailing, use the date you send the email.
Why the Date Matters
The date on a cover letter is a simple but functional element. It tells the hiring manager when you wrote or submitted the application. In most cases, it’s a formality—no one rejects a candidate for a missing or slightly off date. But getting it right shows attention to detail, which matters in roles where accuracy is part of the job. A correct date also helps the reader place your application in time, especially if they are reviewing candidates weeks later or comparing your letter against others in a file.
Standard Date Formats
There is no universal rule, but US business correspondence typically uses one of these:
- Month Day, Year – e.g., “June 3, 2025” (most common in the US)
- Day Month Year – e.g., “3 June 2025” (common in the UK, Australia, and other English-speaking countries)
- Numerical – e.g., “06/03/2025” (avoid in formal letters; it can be ambiguous, especially in international contexts where day and month are reversed)
If you are applying to a company in a specific country, follow that country’s convention. When in doubt, spell out the month—it eliminates confusion.
Where to Place the Date
In a formal printed letter, the date appears at the top, usually left-aligned, one line below your contact information. For an email, you don’t need a date in the body—the email header already shows it. However, if you are attaching a PDF cover letter to an email, include the date on the letter itself, as if it were a standalone document.
What If You’re Applying Online?
When you submit a cover letter through an online portal, the date is often not required. Many portals ask for a cover letter as a text box or file upload, and the system timestamps your submission. In that case, you can skip the date entirely. If you do include it, use the date you actually submit the application, not the date you wrote the draft.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
- Using the date you wrote the draft – If you write the letter on Monday but send it on Friday, the date should be Friday.
- Leaving it off entirely – In a printed letter, an undated letter looks incomplete. In an email, it’s fine.
- Using a future date – Never date a letter ahead of time. It looks careless or dishonest.
- Using an old date – If you’re sending a letter that was written weeks ago, update the date to the current day.
Cover Letter Date Template
Below is a simple template for the top of a cover letter. Replace the bracketed text with your details.
| Field | Your Information |
|---|---|
| Your Name | _________________________ |
| Your Address | _________________________ |
| City, State, ZIP | _________________________ |
| _________________________ | |
| Phone | _________________________ |
| Date | _________________________ |
| Hiring Manager’s Name | _________________________ |
| Company Name | _________________________ |
| Company Address | _________________________ |
Sample (fictional):
Jordan Smith
1234 Oak Street
Springfield, IL 62704
jordan.smith@email.com
(555) 123-4567
June 3, 2025
Ms. Alex Johnson
Hiring Manager
Acme Corporation
5678 Market Blvd
Springfield, IL 62701
Email vs. Printed Letter
For email submissions, the date is redundant because the email system records it. However, if you are sending a cover letter as a PDF attachment, include the date on the PDF itself in case it gets printed or forwarded. For printed letters, the date is essential—it’s part of standard business letter format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I put the date on a cover letter if I’m emailing it?
If you’re emailing the letter in the body of the email, no—the email header shows the date. If you’re attaching a PDF, include the date on the letter itself for completeness.
What if I don’t know the exact date I’ll send it?
Wait until you’re ready to send. You can draft the letter without a date and add it right before submitting.
Is it okay to use a numerical date?
It’s acceptable but can be ambiguous in international contexts. Using the month spelled out is safer and more formal.
Does the date affect my chances of getting an interview?
No. Hiring managers don’t evaluate candidates based on the date. It’s a minor detail, but a wrong date can signal carelessness.
Should I use the date I wrote the letter or the date I submit it?
Use the date you submit it. That’s the date that matters for the application.
Final Thoughts
The date on a cover letter is a small detail, but it contributes to the overall professionalism of your application. When in doubt, use the current date in a spelled-out format, place it correctly, and move on. Your focus should be on the content of the letter—the date is just a formality.