July 30, 2010, Newsletter Issue #42: Cover Letter Checklist

Tip of the Week

COVER LETTER CHECKLIST
Use the following as a final check before you get ready to finalize and print your cover letter.
 
OVERALL APPEARANCE
­­___  Is your cover letter visually appealing and easy to read?
___  Did you target your cover letter to the industry/position?
___  Does your letter appear balanced on the page?
___  Are you correct in capitalization, verb tense, and punctuation?
___  Is your cover letter grammatically correct and free of typos?
___  Did you use either 11 pt or 12 pt font?
 
SALUTATION AND OPENING
___  Did you include your address, the date, and recipient address?
­­___  Did you address the letter to the person responsible for hiring?
         (If you can’t find that information then use “Hiring Committee” or “Hiring Manager”. Do NOT use “Dear Sir or Madam” or “To Whom it May Concern”)
___  Is your opening paragraph 2-5 sentences in length?
___  Did you identify the position that you are applying for?
___  Did you list the source from where you heard about the job?
 
BODY OF LETTER
___  Did you outline your strongest qualifications that match the position requirements?
___  Did you identify the skills and personal qualifications that make you a strong candidate?
___  Did you make reference to your enclosed resume without repeating it verbatim?
___  Have you avoided listing skills and interestes irrelevant to the position?
___  Have you avoided such phrases as "I feel" and "I believe," which tend to weaken and dilute the statements you make about yourself?
 
CLOSING
__  Did you request action and inform the employer of your next steps?
__  Did you express your appreciation for the reader's time and consideration?
__  Have you signed your name?
 

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