Cover Letter Rubric
This rubric outlines the differences between an excellent cover letter and one that needs improvement. Use this rubric to get the most out of your cover letter.
| Cover letter should get you the interview. This is an excellent letter. | Cover letter could land you an interview. This is an average letter (borderline case.) | Cover letter needs significant improvement and would be discarded during screening | |
| Business format and overall quality of writing ability | This letter uses correct business format with date and addresses at the top, and a signature at the bottom. | This letter uses correct business format, but address is incomplete at the top, and no signature at the bottom. | Business formatting is not used in this letter. There is no address or date at the top. This letter is not signed. |
| Overall quality of writing ability | There are no spelling errors. This letter is clear and concise, and grammatically correct. | There are minimal grammar and spelling errors. The content of the letter could be improved. | There are multiple grammar and spelling errors. The content of this letter does not make sense. |
| Position Interest | This letter explains why you are interested in the position and this type of job, company, and/or location in the first section. | You vaguely describe why you are interested in this job and it is hidden in the middle or last section. | You do not say why you are interested. |
| Section 1: Position Information | This section identifies the position you are applying for, and you have described how you heard about the opening | This section identifies the position you are seeking but does not describe how you heard about the opening. | This section does not clearly identify what position you are seeking and no description of how you heard about it. |
| Section 2: Identification of skills and experiences as related to position | This letter identifies one or two of your strongest qualifications and clearly relates how these skills apply to the job at hand. | This letter identifies one of your qualifications, but it is barely related to the position and restates what is on your resume with minimal added information. | This letter does not discuss any relevant qualifications. You have not related your skills to the position for which you are applying. |
| Section 3: Thank the Reader | This letter thanks the reader for taking the time to read this letter. | You thank the reader for taking time to read this letter. | This letter does not thank the reader for taking time to review this letter. |
| Section 3: Enclosed Documents | This letter refers the reader to your resume or any other enclosed documents. | You do not refer the reader to your resume or application materials. | There is no reference to a resume or other materials. |
| Section 3: Plan for Follow up | You are assertive as you describe how you will follow up with the employer in a stated period of time. | This letter assumes that the employer will contact you to follow up. | This letter does not mention any plan for follow up. |
