Page 273 - 201 Killer Cover Letters

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COVER LETTER CHECKLIST
______ Have you used the same type of paper for your resume, letter, and envelope?
______ Do your name, address, e-mail address, and phone number(s) appear at the top
of each page?
______ Have you verified that you are addressing the company by its correct name
(Reebok International Ltd., not Reebok, Inc.)
______ Is your envelope typed, not handwritten?
______ Have you signed your letter?
______ Have you proofread your letter before and after using your computer’s spelling
check function? (Remember: Your computer won’t catch an error such as “thin”
instead of “this.”)
______ Does your letter look visually appealing?
______ If your letter is skimmed, will your reader be impressed with key points?
______ Will your reader know to which advertisement you’re responding? In which
position you’re interested?
______ Will your opening make the reader want to read on?
______ Does the body of your letter support your opening?
______ Is your letter honest?
______ Is your tone of voice conversational, not stuffy?
______ Have you avoided repeating, word for word, many of the details that appear
on your resume?
______ Have you summarized your experience and education?
______ Have you described your strengths from your reader’s point of view? (“What
this means for you is...”)
______ Did you provide necessary background information in cases where a reader or
recruiter is unfamiliar with you or your area of specialty?
______ Have you used any terminology that might be unfamiliar to your reader? Can
you simplify it? If not, have you defined it clearly?
______ Have you told your reader what you will do to follow up?
______ Did you supply any and all information your reader will need to contact you
or comply with your request for help?

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