Preliminary Research
· Determined as exactly as possible what the employer wants?
· Learned enough about the job and employer to tailor your letter to them?
Address
· Addresses a specific individual, if possible?
Introduction
· Tells clearly what you want?
· Persuades that you know specific, relevant things about the reader’s organization?
· Conveys that you like the company?
Qualifications
· Explains how the knowledge, abilities, and experiences described in your résumé are relevant to the specific job for which you are applying?
Closing
· Sounds cordial, yet clearly sets out a plan of action?
Prose
· Uses clear sentences with varied structures?
· Uses an easy-to-follow organization?
· Uses a confident but modest tone?
· Expresses the action in verbs, not nouns?
· Uses strong verbs?
· Uses correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation?
Appearance
· Looks neat and attractive?
· Includes all the elements of a business letter?
Ethics
· Describes your qualifications honestly?
· Avoids statements intended to mislead?
Overall
· Shows that you are aware of your reader’s goals and concerns when hiring?
· Demonstrates that you are a skilled communicator?
From Paul V. Anderson’s Technical Communication: A Reader-Centered Approach