Cover Letter Checklist!

30 January 2012 Read by 3415 persons
rekrute.com_Lettre_de_motivation_la_checklist
Knowing how to write a cover letter is a skill you can learn! But your efforts won't be wasted because, with equal profiles, an effective and relevant cover letter will undoubtedly give you a head start over your competitors and significantly increase your chances of landing an interview.

It's a slightly technical exercise that you will have mastered when you can answer these questions with a frank and sincere 'yes'!
Is the layout of your letter in line with that of a classic business letter? Unless you are a designer or art director in an advertising agency (and even then!), avoid fancy layouts or typography, and respect the conventions.
Is your cover letter addressed to a specific person, rather than to a department or an impersonal job title ('Dear HR Manager')? If not, a few minutes of browsing the internet should allow you to identify the name of the person who holds the position in question.
  1. Does your cover letter include a catchy first paragraph, presenting your professional goals and major strengths from the first lines?
  2. Do you quickly explain in your letter what added value you could bring to your employer if they hired you?
  3. Have you avoided starting your sentences with overly self-centered 'I's or 'my's, and have you focused on the employer's expectations rather than your own?
  4. Do you demonstrate your expertise by using vocabulary or language specific to the industry or profession to which you are applying?
  5. Do you communicate factually about your past professional successes so that the employer can measure your potential in a tangible way?
  6. Is your letter concise enough to make the recruiter want to learn more about you and read your CV?
  7. Have you included all the requested information, such as the job or advertisement reference you are responding to, your availability dates for starting the position, and your salary expectations (if requested, otherwise this could disqualify you!)?
  8. Have you written a bespoke letter that perfectly matches the expectations of the recruiter who wrote the advertisement in question? Have you avoided copy-pasting the content of a previous letter?
  9. Is your letter sincere? Does it reflect your personality? Does the information written not duplicate that contained in your CV?
  10. Have you proofread your letter to ensure that you have not missed any syntax, grammar, or spelling errors, which are often eliminating factors?
  11. Have you indicated your contact details: landline, mobile phone, email address, Skype?
  12. Do you conclude your letter with an engaging message inviting a future meeting?
  13. Have you signed your letter?
  14.  

Monster.fr

Posted on January 30, 2012.