[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"detail-sidebar-cat-1-en-105":3,"doc-seo-255936-105":53,"doc-detail-255936-en":126},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"success",[7,14,19,24,29,34,39,44,49],{"id":8,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":11,"show_sort_weight":12,"slug":13},11,1,"Template","Presentations",90,"presentations",{"id":15,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":16,"show_sort_weight":17,"slug":18},12,"Resumes",80,"resumes",{"id":20,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":21,"show_sort_weight":22,"slug":23},14,"Invoices",70,"invoices",{"id":25,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":26,"show_sort_weight":27,"slug":28},15,"Posters",60,"posters",{"id":30,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":31,"show_sort_weight":32,"slug":33},16,"Social Media",50,"social-media",{"id":35,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":36,"show_sort_weight":37,"slug":38},17,"Forms",40,"forms",{"id":40,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":41,"show_sort_weight":42,"slug":43},18,"Letters",30,"letters",{"id":45,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":46,"show_sort_weight":47,"slug":48},21,"Paper Templates",5,"papers-templates",{"id":50,"doc_module":9,"doc_module_name":10,"category_name":51,"show_sort_weight":4,"slug":52},158,"General","general-158",{"code":4,"msg":54,"data":55},"ok",{"site_id":56,"language":57,"slug":58,"title":59,"keywords":60,"description":61,"schema_data":62,"social_meta":119,"head_meta":121,"extra_data":123,"updated_unix":125},105,"en","cover-letter-rubric-cover-letter-writing-standards","Cover Letter Rubric - Cover Letter Writing Standards","","A cover letter rubric that specifies minimum and exceeding expectations across key sections: salutation, opening paragraph, body, contact information and formatting, closing paragraph, and signature. The guidance emphasizes addressing a real hiring contact when possible, stating a clear purpose, avoiding trite phrases, aligning content to employer needs, keeping the letter to about one page with appropriate paragraph structure, and ensuring accuracy in punctuation and grammar. It also requires correct date and recipient details, consistent branding with a resume, and a professional closing and signature approach, including electronic flexibility.",{"@graph":63,"@context":118},[64,80,101],{"@type":65,"itemListElement":66},"BreadcrumbList",[67,71,74,77],{"item":68,"name":69,"@type":70,"position":9},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",{"item":72,"name":10,"@type":70,"position":73},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/",2,{"item":75,"name":41,"@type":70,"position":76},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/letters/",3,{"item":78,"name":59,"@type":70,"position":79},"https://docshare.wps.com/template/cover-letter-rubric-cover-letter-writing-standards/255936/",4,{"url":78,"name":59,"@type":81,"image":82,"author":87,"headline":59,"publisher":90,"fileFormat":93,"inLanguage":57,"description":61,"dateModified":94,"datePublished":95,"encodingFormat":93,"isAccessibleForFree":96,"interactionStatistic":97},"DigitalDocument",{"url":83,"@type":84,"width":85,"height":86},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/cover-letter-rubric-cover-letter-writing-standards/255936.png","ImageObject",442,249,{"name":88,"@type":89},"Theodora","Person",{"url":68,"name":91,"@type":92},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-29","2026-09-13",true,{"@type":98,"interactionType":99,"userInteractionCount":20},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":100},"ViewAction",{"@type":102,"mainEntity":103},"FAQPage",[104,110,114],{"name":105,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":107},"What salutation should be used in a cover letter?","Question",{"text":108,"@type":109},"Use an appropriate salutation such as “Dear.” Avoid “To whom it may concern,” and use “Dear Hiring Manager” only when the person’s name is unavailable. Whenever possible, address the letter to an individual.","Answer",{"name":111,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":112},"What should the opening paragraph include?",{"text":113,"@type":109},"The opening paragraph should establish the purpose of the letter and provide details that support the position application. It should explain why the applicant is a strong candidate and avoid trite or overused phrases.",{"name":115,"@type":106,"acceptedAnswer":116},"How should the body and overall length be handled?",{"text":117,"@type":109},"The body should “sell” the candidate by focusing on the employer’s needs and explaining value to the organization. It should not exceed one page and should include three to four paragraphs with correct punctuation and no typographical or grammatical errors.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":78,"og:type":120,"og:title":59,"og:site_name":91,"og:description":61},"article",{"robots":122,"canonical":78},"index,follow",{"doc_id":124,"site_id":56},255936,1789970805,{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":127},{"doc_id":124,"user_id":128,"nickname":88,"user_avatar":129,"doc_module":9,"category_id":40,"category_name":41,"doc_title":59,"doc_description":61,"doc_content":130,"file_id":131,"file_url":132,"file_type":133,"file_size":134,"view_count":20,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":9,"is_downloadable":9,"audit_status":9,"page_count":76,"language":135,"language_code":57,"site_id":56,"html_lang":57,"table_of_contents":136,"faqs":137,"seo_title":138,"seo_description":61,"update_tm":139,"read_time":9},687197207919,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/avatar/a000253d6f5f7c60be?x-image-process=image/resize,m_fixed,w_180,h_180&k=1779446848396160552","Cover Letter Rubric  \nSalutation  \nMeets Minimum  \n• An appropriate salutation is used (e. g.“Dear”)  \n• Do not address the letter using “To whom it may concern”  \n• Use “Dear Hiring Manager” only if the person’s name is not available.  \n• Make an effort to address the letter to an individual Exceeds Minimum  \n• Research employer (LinkedIn/Google/Call) for the contact’s name and title  \nOpening Paragraph  \nMeets Minimum  \n• The opening paragraph establishes purpose and provides details to support the position application  \n• The content states why the applicant is a strong candidate for the position  \n• Avoid trite or overused phrases such as “hard working” and“self-starter”  \nExceeds Minimum  \n• Name a mutual acquaintance or identify people through a contact you made within the organization  \n• Answer how you were introduced to the organization  \n• Articulate briefly why this position is ideal for you  \nBody  \nMeets Minimum  \n• Content “sells” the candidate and focuses on employers needs, explaining how the candidate will be valuable to the organization  \n• The word “I” is not overused  \n• Letter is no longer than one page and includes three to four paragraphs  \n• Appropriate punctuation is used  \n• There are no typographical or grammatical errors  \n• Content is concise and provides details about the candidate’s skills and experience as they relate to the job  \nExceeds Minimum  \n• Avoids common or trite verbiage such as “self-starter”,“Strong written  \n• communication skills” and “hard working”  \n• Letter concentrates on the requirements that will be most highly valued to the organization as determined from its website and mission statement or strategic plan  \n• Provide a position number if applicable  \n VCU Career Services [careers.vcu.edu](careers.vcu.edu)  \nCover Letter Rubric  \nContact Information/Formatting  \nMeets Minimum  \n• Your address (include city, state, street and zip code)  \n• The current date at the top of the letter  \n• Recipient’s name, position, title, company and company address  \nExceeds Minimum  \n• Cover letter and resume when placed side-by-side appear branded and consistent  \nClosing Paragraph  \nMeets Minimum  \n• The closing includes a well-written statement thanking the organization for considering you for the position  \n• The closing motivates action from the organization or the reader  \nExceeds Minimum  \n• Unless instructed not to call, your closing can identify when you plan to  \n• follow up with a phone call to learn the next steps in the hiring process  \nSignature  \n• The content mentions the enclosed/attached resume  \n• Four line spaces between the closing and the person’s name for the signature are included and the letter is signed. No italic font for signature.  \n• If sending electronically, it is acceptable to skip a physical signature  \n VCU Career Services [careers.vcu.edu](careers.vcu.edu)","cbCaieNpd61LGV21","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCaieNpd61LGV21","pdf",699130,"English","# Cover Letter Rubric\n## Salutation\n## Opening Paragraph\n## Body\n## Contact Information/Formatting\n## Closing Paragraph\n## Signature","[{\"question\":\"What salutation should be used in a cover letter?\",\"answer\":\"Use an appropriate salutation such as “Dear.” Avoid “To whom it may concern,” and use “Dear Hiring Manager” only when the person’s name is unavailable. Whenever possible, address the letter to an individual.\"},{\"question\":\"What should the opening paragraph include?\",\"answer\":\"The opening paragraph should establish the purpose of the letter and provide details that support the position application. It should explain why the applicant is a strong candidate and avoid trite or overused phrases.\"},{\"question\":\"How should the body and overall length be handled?\",\"answer\":\"The body should “sell” the candidate by focusing on the employer’s needs and explaining value to the organization. It should not exceed one page and should include three to four paragraphs with correct punctuation and no typographical or grammatical errors.\"}]","Cover Letter Rubric - Cover Letter Writing Standards | PDF",1789295535]