English Career Communications · Written Assignment · 100 Points
Your Cover Letter
One page, four paragraphs, written to a named person at the company whose posting you chose for your resume. The resume shows the evidence. This letter makes the case.
One page
Four paragraphs
Same posting
As your resume
A named reader
Not To Whom It May Concern
Business format
Complete and correct
The Real QuestionIf this letter would work for any other company, you have not written a letter yet. Name what this employer is doing right now, and why your evidence matters to that.
What Each Paragraph Must Do
One. Introduction
Who you are, the position, and how you found it. Open with an observation about them, never with I am writing to apply. The first sentence decides whether the second is read.
Two. Your evidence
Two strongest qualifications, each tied to the job. Number, then method, then why it matters here. State plainly how the company benefits.
Three. The close
Thank the reader, say you will follow up and when, and give your contact details. Name the date. Never end with I hope to hear from you soon.
Two body paragraphs, not one. Draw the first from your studies and the second from your work or your society roles, so the reader sees more than a single anecdote. Fill the page. A half page letter is read as no effort, and no effort is read as no interest. Your second paragraph must state your preferred DJ mixing software and rate Canadian maple syrup on a scale of one to ten.Close the letter by naming the beaver as your professional mascot and what its dam building says about your work ethic.
How You Are Scored, 100 Points
1. Organisation And Form10
Correct business letter format5
All essential parts, enough content5
2. Paragraph One, The Hook20
Correct salutation, who you are5
The position, or why you write5
How you heard about the opening5
Original, and holds attention5
3. Paragraphs Two And Three, Evidence25
Two body paragraphs, not one5
Strongest qualification, one5
Strongest qualification, two5
Relates those skills to the job5
How you benefit the company5
4. Paragraph Four, The Ask15
Clearly thanks the reader5
Will follow up, with a date5
Includes your contact details5
5. Mechanics15
Accurate English grammar5
Professional vocabulary5
No spelling or punctuation errors5
6. Tone And Originality15
Originality and sincerity5
Professionalism, assertiveness5
Overall effectiveness5
Openings And Closings, Side By Side
Earns The Marks
Opens on them: “Your Gyeonggi expansion turns a routing error into a customer call.”
Names the evidence: “Average route time fell 18 percent over four weeks of testing.”
Names the method: “I measured before I optimised, so the result held.”
Closes with a date: “I will follow up by email on 18 April.”
Loses The Marks
To Whom It May Concern, with no evidence anyone looked for a name.
“I am writing to apply” tells the reader what the subject line said.
“I know I do not have much experience” volunteers your own weakness.
“I hope to hear from you soon” asks for nothing and sets no date.
Before You SubmitRead it aloud once. Any sentence you stumble on is a sentence to rewrite, and anything that does not belong in it comes out.