Assignment 5 – Professional Cover Letter writing

Assignment #5 Video Walkthrough

Completing this assignment will help you name and identify the skills and abilities that will move your career forward.

Find a specific job opening posted online within the last 9 months. You will develop a Job Application Cover Letter (as though you were applying to that position) that highlights and emphasizes why you are the most suitable candidate for this position. For the purposes of this assignment, you can present yourself as a recent graduate if needed.

Complete the cover letter on page 1 of the submission and then include a link to the job posting on page 2 (a copy and paste of the link is acceptable and the link must work). To compose the letter, use the general writing guidelines on pp. 277-278 in the text for structural and content guidance. Note: An example can be found on p. 250, Figure 13.8.

The message should take the form of a business letter; however, you will submit your assignment to the online course shell.

The job letter / application message must adhere to the following requirements:

1. Content
   1. Highlight relevant background and job history information specific to the opening.
   2. Emphasize significant qualifications and exclude nonessential ideas.
2. Format
   1. Follow proper letter formatting techniques per business letter format.
   2. Use an appropriate and professional greeting and closing.
3. Style
   1. Use professional language.
   2. Paragraphs effectively developed and efficient. Note: Six (6) or seven (7) lines when possible.
4. Mechanics
   1. Make sure there are no grammar or spelling errors.
   2. Eliminate wordiness and unclear sentence construction.

Your assignment must be typed, single-spaced within paragraphs and double spaced between the paragraphs, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

1. Plan, create, and evaluate professional documents.
2. Write clearly, coherently, and persuasively using proper grammar, mechanics, and formatting appropriate to the situation.
3. Deliver professional information to various audiences using appropriate tone, style, and format.
4. Develop presentation skills for use in the professional environment.

Assignment 5: Professional Cover Letter

Due Week 10 and worth 180 points

Completing this assignment will help you name and identify the skills and abilities that will move your career forward.

Find a specific job opening posted online within the last 9 months. You will develop a Job Application Cover Letter (as though you were applying to that position) that highlights and emphasizes why you are the most suitable candidate for this position. For the purposes of this assignment, you can present yourself as a recent graduate if needed.

Complete the cover letter on page 1 of the submission and then include a link to the job posting on page 2 (a copy and paste of the link is acceptable and the link must work). To compose the letter, use the general writing guidelines on pp. 277-278 in the text for structural and content guidance. Note: An example can be found on p. 250, Figure 13.8.

The message should take the form of a business letter; however, you will submit your assignment to the online course shell.

The job letter / application message must adhere to the following requirements:

1. Content
   1. Highlight relevant background and job history information specific to the opening.
   2. Emphasize significant qualifications and exclude nonessential ideas.
2. Format
   1. Follow proper letter formatting techniques per business letter format.
   2. Use an appropriate and professional greeting and closing.
3. Style
   1. Use professional language.
   2. Paragraphs effectively developed and efficient. Note: Six (6) or seven (7) lines when possible.
4. Mechanics
   1. Make sure there are no grammar or spelling errors.
   2. Eliminate wordiness and unclear sentence construction.

Your assignment must be typed, single-spaced within paragraphs and double spaced between the paragraphs, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

1. Plan, create, and evaluate professional documents.
2. Write clearly, coherently, and persuasively using proper grammar, mechanics, and formatting appropriate to the situation.
3. Deliver professional information to various audiences using appropriate tone, style, and format.
4. Develop presentation skills for use in the professional environment.

Points: 180	Assignment 5: Professional Cover Letter
Criteria	Unacceptable Below 60% F	Meets Minimum Expectations 60-69% D	Fair 70-79% C	Proficient 80-89% B	Exemplary 90-100% A
1. Submission meets the content requirements outlined in assignment details. Weight: 30%	Submission content missing multiple required elements, has multiple issues with development of content, or does not relate to the stated requirements.	Submission missing at least one noted content requirement and has multiple issues with development of provided content items.	Submission is missing at least one requirement or has specific development issues with provided content items.	Submission includes all stated requirements and most are well developed.	Submission includes all stated requirements and is well developed.
2. Assignment meets the format requirements outlined in assignment details. Weight: 25%	Assignment makes little or no attempt to meet the stated format requirements.	Assignment is missing at least two format requirements (or there are major errors as noted in comments).	Assignment is missing at least one format requirement and/or has 4-5 minor errors.	Assignment includes all stated format requirements and has 2-3 minor errors.	Assignment includes all stated format requirements and has 0-1 minor errors.
3. Audience (including link to posting on second page), and overall effectiveness of the Professional Cover Letter. Weight: 30%	The Professional Cover Letter is not properly targeted, and/or the message is ineffective in achieving its goal(s).	The Professional Cover Letter has two major errors and/or the provided link is invalid.	The Professional Cover Letter has a major error in at least one of the areas (audience or overall effectiveness) and/or provides the link in the wrong place.	The Professional Cover Letter mostly addresses the proper audience, generally achieves its purpose, and is somewhat effective.	The Professional Cover Letter addresses the proper audience, achieves its purpose, and is effective.
4. Clarity, writing mechanics, professional language/style requirements. Weight: 15%	More than 8 errors present.	7-8 errors present.	5-6 errors present.	3-4 errors present.	0-2 errors present.