Cover Letter Checklist
Table of Contents
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.
Download or Print this Cover Letter Checklist
Get a printable version of this checklist in your preferred format: PDF, Word, Excel, or print directly from your browser.
Presented by:
Alex Strickland
Stats
Views
45
Views: 45
Uses
8
Uses: 8
Tasks
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.