Cover Letter Checklist
4.8/5 with 78 votes
Table of Contents
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- Basics
- Maintain all cover letters to a single page.
- Address the letter to a person and check for spelling of the person's name and the exact title.
- Tailor the letter to the reader to show that you are interested in and have researched the organization.
- Use your own words.
- Demonstrate energy and enthusiasm.
- Emphasize what you offer the employer.
- Give concrete examples of your skills.
- Use direct, positive language.
- Keep a balance between professionalism and friendliness.
- Include information relevant to the job you are applying for.
- Clearly ask for the next step in the process.
- Writting Style
- Keep your average sentence ten to twenty words.
- Keep every paragraph under five lines.
- Make sure your sentences begin with or contain powerful action verbs.
- Make effective use of "white space", making your letter easy to read.
- Contact Information
- Your personal data should be on every page.
- Omit your business number.
- If your letter is more than one page long, each page should be numbered and all the pages should be bound together.
- Objectives
- Clearly state why you are writing.
- If you have the details, tie the letter specifically to the target organization and job.
- Demonstrate that you have researched the company by including some information in one or more of your sentences.
- Address points of relevance, such as applicable skills from the job description.
- Include references to some of your personality or behavioral traits that are crucial to success in your field.
- Avoid wasting more space than required with employer names and addresses.
- Omit any reference to reasons for leaving a particular job.
- Omit any references to past, current, or desired salaries.
- Avoid listing irrelevant responsibilities or job titles.
- Sell yourself: mention your achievements and the problems you have successfully solved during your career.
- Avoid vagueness.
- Leave out lists of references and only mention the availability of references.
- Correspondence Tips
- Always send a letter with a resume, never a resume alone.
- Proofread for poor grammar, spelling, and typos.
- Type all letters.
- Make paragraphs approximately the same length.
- Keep a copy of the cover letter for your records.
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Presented by:
Alex Strickland
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Views: 146
Uses
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Uses: 8
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40
Tasks: 40
Who it's for
This Cover Letter Checklist is for anyone who wants a simple, practical way to get things done without missing steps.
- Avoid forgetting - keep all your Cover Letter essentials in one place (external memory)
- Save time - start from a proven Cover Letter structure instead of a blank page
- Stay on track - track progress, come back later, and keep momentum
- Coordinate with others - share the list and divide responsibilities
- Learn the process - follow the steps in a sensible order, even if it's your first time
How to use it
How to use this Cover Letter Checklist
- Save Cover Letter Checklist to your free Checklist account so your progress is saved and synced across devices.
- Customize it in the app: remove anything that does not apply, then add your own details for Cover Letter (dates, sizes, addresses, notes).
- If others are involved, invite them to collaborate and divide responsibilities.
- Work through the list: check items off as you go, and set reminders for time-sensitive steps.
Rate this Checklist
5 stars
Scores 4.80 with 78 votes