Cover Letter Rubric
Rises to the Top Just Like All the Rest
Content
(>90%)
Uses same heading as
rsum
Date and addresses at
top; signature at bottom
Clear and concise
Format and Writing
Quality Letter has professional
appearance, tone and
style
No grammar or spelling
errors
Identifies targeted
position
Explains interest in role
Expresses excitement and
Introductory motivation
Paragraph Explains how learned of
opening
Wording is creative and
catches employers
interest
Identifies strongest
qualifications; clearly
relates skills to position
Shows through examples
what employer will gain
by hiring this person;
nd
2 Paragraph: focuses on companys
Relating Skills and needs
Experiences to the Demonstrates evidence of
Position
having researched
company; integrates this
information well
Explains why this
employer is a top choice
Refers reader to rsum Does not refer reader to
and other enclosed
rd documents
3 Paragraph:
Thanks reader for time
Closing
Assertive in describing
how will follow up in
specific time period
Will Be Tossed Aside
(75-90%) (<75%)
Uses same heading as Does not use professional
rsum heading
Date and addresses at Business formatting not
top; signature at bottom used
Content is clear, but not Content is not clear or is
convincing wordy
Letter has appropriate Letter does not have
appearance, tone and professional appearance,
style tone and/or style
1-2 grammar or spelling >2 grammar or spelling
errors errors
Identifies targeted Does not identify targeted
position position
Vaguely describes Does not describe interest
interest in role in role
May not explain how Does not explain how
learned of opening learned of opening
Wording is not creative Does not grab employers
attention
Identifies qualifications, Does not identify
but not how they relate to qualifications or simply
position (or they may not lists them
relate to position at all) Does not relate skills to
Does not show what position
employer will gain by Demonstrates little to no
hiring this person; evidence of having
focuses on own needs researched the company
Restates rsum with
minimal additional
information
Demonstrates some
evidence of having
researched company;
may not integrate
information well
Does not refer reader to
rsum and other rsum and other enclosed
enclosed documents documents
Thanks reader for time Does not thank reader for
Assumes employer will time
initiate contact Does not mention follow-up
plan