Cover Letter Checklist - Career and Leadership Development Center - Basic Criteria & Pro-Level Tips

Sep 15, 2026

A cover letter checklist from the Career and Leadership Development Center outlining essential requirements and pro-level improvements. It specifies including contact details, professional readable fonts, formal salutations and closings, clear company and position references in the first paragraph, and tailored motivation and value to the organization. It also recommends a specific address line, professional tone without clichés, concise one-page focus, keyword alignment, unique examples beyond the resume, and a follow-up statement. A cover letter template is provided with sections, wording guidance, and a final PDF conversion note.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Basic Criteria

Pro-Level Tips

Cover Letter Template

COVER LETTER CHECKLIST CAREER AND LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CENTER BASIC CRITERIA Include your contact information at the top of the letter (e.g., name, email, phone, and address) Fonts are professional and easy-to-read (e.g. Times, Calibri) in a legible size (typically 10-12 point) Include a formal salutation (e.g., Dear) and closing (e.g., Sincerely) in the letter Reference the name of the company and specific position you are applying for referenced in the first paragraph At least one statement is made about why you are interested in working with the organization What you have to offer the organization is emphasized instead of what you will gain Use one specific and detailed example of your previous experience to highlight why you are an ideal fit for the position PRO-LEVEL TIPS Address the letter to the person managing the posting (not,“To Whom it May Concern”) Write in a professional style—free from jargon, clichés, and run-on sentences Only include priority information, most cover letters are one page or slightly less Avoid excessive (if any) humor and over-the-top elements, write a letter that shows your fit Include key words, qualifications, or skills from the job posting, if relevant to your experience Make your examples and highlights unique from your resume content, not a restatement of your resume Emphasize what the company does that intrigues you (e.g. specific projects, reputation, etc.) Conclude by informing the employer of when and how you will follow up with them Convert your document to a PDF before uploading to prevent an extra blank page COVER LETTER TEMPLATE Your Full Name Address Phone Email Date Actual Person’s Name Title Organization/Company Name Address Dear Full Name/ Title and Last Name, State which position you are applying for and where you found the opening. Give information that shows your interest in the company and why you are writing. Explain why you are interested in working for this employer. Point out two or three relevant achievements or qualifications you have that will benefit the employer. Relate these back to the organization and job description. Avoid repeating information found on your resume. Thank the employer for their consideration. Leave the reader with one last deliverable either about yourself or why you would like to work for that company. Best regards, Your Full Name Division of Student Affairs [www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/career-and-leadership](www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/career-and-leadership)

FAQs

What must be included at the top of the cover letter?

Include your contact information at the top, such as name, email, phone, and address.

How should the opening paragraph reference the job?

Reference the company name and the specific position you are applying for in the first paragraph, and include at least one statement explaining why you are interested in the organization.

What guidance does the checklist give for making the examples effective?

Use one specific, detailed example from previous experience and ensure your examples are unique and not just a restatement of your resume. Relate achievements back to the organization and job description.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn Holloway