Cover Letters 101 - Cover letter rubric and writing tips - improve for an interview

Sep 10, 2026

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Cover Letters 101 provides a clear rubric for evaluating cover letter quality, business formatting, writing mechanics, and how effectively each section supports an interview outcome. It compares strong, average, and weak letters in terms of structure, grammar and spelling, address/date and signature placement, and the clarity of position identification. The material also explains how to introduce oneself, express interest and enthusiasm, connect skills and experiences to the job, and close assertively. Practical writing tips emphasize tailoring for each employer, using concrete examples, addressing the correct hiring contact, mentioning referrals when appropriate, proofreading carefully, and using the resume for reader reference.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

COVER LETTERS 101

Cover letter rubric

Section 1: Introduction

Section 2: Identification of skills and experiences

Section 3: Closing

Why a cover letter

Cover letter writing tips

Goals of a cover letter

COVER LETTERS 101 Good job! Cover l ette r RUBRIC | | Cover letter should
get you an interview | Cover letter could land you an interview
(average letter) | Cover letter needs significant improvement and would be discarded during screening | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | BUSINESS FORMAT and
OVERALL QUALITY of
writ ing ability | This letter uses correct business format with date and addresses at the top, anda signature at the bottom. This letter is clear and concise, and grammatically correct. There are no spelling errors. | This letter uses correct business format with date and addresses at the top, anda signature at the bottom. There are minimal grammar and spelling errors. This letter is decent in content, but does not convince an employer to call. | Business formatting is not used in this letter. There is no address or date at the top. This letter is not signed. There are multiple grammar and spelling errors. The content of this letter does not make sense to the reader. | | SECT ION 1:
INTRODUCTION | This section identifies the position you are applying for. You have described how you heard about the opening. This section identifies why you are interested in this job. Wording is creative and catches an employer’s attention quickly. | This section identifies the position you are seeking. This letter does not describe how you heard about the opening. You vaguely describe why you are interested in this job. This section is bland and might not catch someone’s attention
fast enough. | This section does not clearly identify what position you are seeking. There is no description of how you heard about the position or why you are interested. This letter definitely will not grab an employer’s attention and keep them reading. | | SECTION 2: IDENTIFICATION OF SK ILLS AND EXPERIENCES as related to position | This letter identifies one or two of your strongest qualifications and clearly relates how these skills apply to the job at hand. This letter explains specifically why you are interested in this position and this type of job, company, and/or location. | This letter identifies one of your qualifications, but it is not related to the position at hand. This letter restates what is on your resume with minimal additional information. You explain why you are interested in this position, but you are still too vague. | This letter does not discuss any relevant qualifications. You have not related your skills to the job you are applying for. This letter does not state why you are interested in this position, company and/or location. | | SECTION 3:
CLOSING | This letter refers the reader to your résumé or any other enclosed documents. This letter thanks the reader for taking time to read this letter. You are assertive as you describe how you will follow up with the employer in a stated time period. | You thank the reader for taking time to read this letter. You do not refer the reader to your résumé or application materials. This letter assumes that the employer will contact you to follow up. | This letter does not thank the reader for taking time to review this letter. There is no reference to a résumé or other materials. This letter does not mention any plan for follow up. | Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Botany Building I 570-577-1238 [I career@bucknell.edu](I career@bucknell.edu) [I bucknell.edu/career](I bucknell.edu/career) REV 08/19 |
COVER ADV | | | --- | --- | | Why a COVER LETTER? | | |
Your letters and e-mail messages to employers create their first impression of your communication skills, interests, motivation and knowledge of the organization or field. A cover letter is most effective when tailored to a particular organization or job opening. Make every effort to tailor each letter to show the connection between your qualifications and that job's requirements. While this may take more time, targeted letters are far more effective in helping land interv

FAQs

What does a strong cover letter look like according to the rubric?

It uses correct business format with date and addresses at the top and a signature at the bottom. It is clear, concise, grammatically correct, and free of spelling errors, with content that convinces an employer to consider the applicant.

What should be included in Section 1: Introduction?

The section should identify the position applied for, explain how the applicant heard about the opening, and state why the applicant is interested in the job. Creative wording that quickly catches attention is encouraged.

How should a cover letter close for maximum impact?

The closing should refer the reader to the résumé or enclosed documents, thank the reader for reading, and be assertive by describing follow-up within a stated time period.

Sep 10, 2026

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