Criteria

for Evaluating Cover Letters

Polished
Level 3

Formative
Level 2

Draft
Level 1

Good quality paper

Polished

Print quality

Polished

Standard letter format

Polished

Text left aligned

Polished

One blank line between paragraphs

Polished

Formative

Style consistent with resume

Polished

Font style professional

Polished

Font style easy to read

Polished

Draft

Written to someone specific

Polished

Name, address & personal information complete

Polished

Tailored to a job ad/opportunity

Polished

Opener: reason for writing or reminder of past contact

Polished

Targeted skills to job ad/opportunity

Polished

Targeted experiences to job

Polished

Included personal characteristics

Formative

Results-oriented

Formative

Polished

Formative

Length is one-page

Polished

Nothing to turn off an employer

Polished

Closed with an action statement

Draft

Writing concise

Polished

Sentence variety

Polished

Format free of errors (spacing, fonts, etc.)

Polished

Spelling & Grammar free of errors correct

Polished

Consistent verb tense

Polished

Elements and Criteria to Evaluate Cover Letters

Organization and Appearance

All margins set to 0.5

Letter is signed

Content

Relevant information for position

Power/action words used

Mechanics

Other feedback:

Add more action words.

Close with an action statement.

Use standard letter format (while being consistent with format of resume).

Discuss personal characteristics further.

Reviewers name: Tomaidh Fergusson