Application Letter Scoring Guide

Synopsis: Create a cover letter to apply for a specific position.
Performance Standards: W3, W4, R2, R4

	Excellent (4)	Proficient (3)	Fair (2)	Emerging (1)	Unscorable
First Paragraph	Asks to be considered for the position, States the position, States where learned of the position, and Expresses interest in the company. Uses an appropriate and unique manner.	Asks to be considered for the position, States the position, States where learned of the position, and Expresses interest in the company. Uses own words.	Asks to be considered for a position and States either where learned of the position or expresses interest in the company. Uses own words	Asks to be considered for a position and States either where learned of the position or expresses interest in the company using words from sample.
Middle Paragraph(s)	Lists technical skills and Lists soft skills. Uses an appropriate and unique manner.	Lists technical skills and Lists soft skills.	Lists either technical or soft skills.	Lists skills in an unorganized manner or Only lists technical or soft skill.
Final paragraph	Asks for interview, Includes phone number, and States that you look forward to the interview. Uses an appropriate and unique manner.	Asks for interview, Includes phone number, and States that you look forward to the interview.	Asks for interview, and Includes phone number.	Asks for the interview.
Mechanics/ Structure	Uses correct paragraph structure, Uses correct sentence structure, and Uses perfect spelling and contextual word usage. Uses organized word flow.	Uses correct paragraph structure, Uses correct sentence structure, and Uses perfect spelling and contextual word usage, but Uses partially organized word flow.	Uses correct paragraph structure, Uses correct sentence structure, and Uses perfect spelling and contextual word usage, but Uses inconsistently organized word flow.	Uses inconsistent paragraph structure, Uses inconsistent sentence structure, and Uses perfect spelling. Uses no organized flow.
Letter Format See Letter Format Scoring Guide	Perfect	Mailable	Mostly Mailable	Mostly Complete
Overall Score	All Excellent	All at least Proficient.	All at least Fair.	All at least Emerging.	Even just one Unscroable

Cut Score: All Proficent or above (15 points).

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Samples

First Paragraph

Excellent

It is with interest and enthusiasm that I am applying for a position as a Web Page Designer. I learned about your job opening through the State of Alaska Job Bank. I look forward to the possibility of working for a dynamic information technology business like Business Professional Associates.

Proficient

Please accept my application for the Computer Specialist position. I heard about the job through a friend of mine who works for your company. My friend has told me many good things about Business Professional Associates and I am interested in becoming a member of your team.

Fair

Please consider my application for the Office Assistant position at Business Professional Associates. I would like to express my interest in the position.

Emerging

I am interested in working in your Marketing Department as a Web Page Designer. I enclosed my resume as a first step in exploring the possibilities of employment with Professional Business Professionals.

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Middle Paragraph(s)

Excellent

My most recent experience was being the administrative assistant at Top Dogg. I was responsible for the overall word processing, answering the phone, making appointments, and ordering. In addition, I was in charge of completing minor accounting tasks.

As an administrative assistant, I would bring all of my experience and dedication to your company. I work well with others, and am experienced in this field. I am excited about the chance to work at Professional Business Associates.

Proficient

I have acquired a vast array of knowledge in creating web sites. Over the years, I have self-taught the use of web authoring programs such as Dreamweaver and Microsoft Front Page. I am able to work well with people of various backgrounds as experienced in many extracurricular activities. I believe that working as a web page designer will be a great way to do something I love on a full-time basis.

Fair

I am well qualified for the position. I have completed a keyboarding class with above average grades. I have successfully maintained a high GPA ranging from a 4.0 to a 3.3 and will finish high school with a great wealth of knowledge which will help me in this position. I would consider it a privilege to work for your company.

Emerging

I am well qualified for the position. I have taken a desktop publishing class in which I received an above average grade. I am also a working part of the yearbook staff in which I use my desktop publishing skills on a regular basis. I would really like to work for your company, and would enjoy making a contribution to its cussess. I would genuinely appreciate being considered for a part time position. This will allow me to attend high school, as well as the University of Alaska in the upcoming school year. I have completed 3 1/2 years of high school with a GPA ranging from 4.0 to 3.4. I would consider working for you a pleasure.

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Final Paragraph

Excellent

I look forward discussing the potential of putting my technology skills to work for Professional Business Associates. Please call me at (907) 555-1212 to schedule an interview.

Proficient

I will appreciate the opportunity to talk with you and some of you staff about the office assistant position. Please call me at (907) 555-1212 to schedule an interview.

Fair

Please call me for an interview at (907) 555-1212.

Emerging

Please call me for an interview.

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Letter/Memorandum Format Scoring Guide

Key from copy or original draft, a letter or memo using correct format. UseTimes New Roman size 12 font.

	Perfect	Mailable	Mostly Mailable	Mostly Completely	Unscorable
Capitalization	All capitalization is correct	All capitalization is correct	One capitalization error.	Two or more capitalization errors.
Margins	All margins are correct.	One acceptable margin error.	One unacceptable margin error.	Two or more margin errors.
Letter Parts	All letter parts present and placed correctly.	All letter parts present and placed correctly.	One letter part missing or incorrectly placed.	Two or more letter parts missing or incorrectly placed.
Punctuation	All punctuation is correct.	One acceptable internal punctuation error.	One unacceptable punctuation error.	Two or more punctuation errors.
Spacing	All spacing is correct.	One acceptable spacing error.	One unacceptable spacing error.	Two or more spacing errors.
Spelling	All words are spelled correctly.	All words are spelled correctly.	One misspelled word.	Two or more misspelled words.
Style	Correctly formatted in assigned style.	Correctly formatted in assigned style.	One style formatting error.	Two or more style formatting errors.
Overall Score	All perfect.	One mailable error.	Two mailable or one mostly mailable.	Three mailable, two mostly mailable or one mostly complete.

Your grade will be indicated by the lowest box marked in the Overall Score category.

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