Score my cover letter
Paste your cover letter to get an overall score and specific, actionable feedback on structure, tailoring, tone and length before you send it.
What gets evaluated
- Opening: does it grab attention or use a generic, forgettable first line
- Tailoring: does it reference the specific role or company, or read as fully generic
- Evidence: does it include at least one specific, concrete achievement
- Structure: is it organised into clear, logical paragraphs
- Length: is it within a reasonable range, roughly 250 to 350 words
- Tone and closing: is the tone consistent, and does it end with a confident, clear call to action
How the score is calculated
Each category contributes to an overall score out of 100. Tailoring and evidence tend to carry the most weight, since a letter that could be sent to any employer for any role, with no specific example, rarely persuades a hiring manager, no matter how well written the sentences are.
Interpreting your score
| Score | What it usually means |
|---|---|
| 85-100 | Well-tailored, specific and ready to send |
| 65-84 | Good foundation, likely missing specific tailoring or evidence |
| Below 65 | Reads as generic or unfocused; needs a rework before sending |
The single most common problem
In our experience reviewing letters, the most frequent issue by far is a lack of specific evidence. Phrases like 'I am a hard worker with excellent communication skills' appear in countless letters and carry almost no persuasive weight on their own, because they are not tied to a real example or result. Letters that instead say what the candidate actually did, and what happened as a result, score consistently higher.
Fixing a low tailoring score
If your tailoring score is low, check whether the company name and role title actually appear in your letter, and whether at least one sentence connects directly to something specific in the job advert or company, rather than being a statement that could apply to any employer in any industry.
What to do with your results
Address the lowest-scoring category first, since that is usually where the biggest improvement is available. If your letter scores well on structure and tone but poorly on evidence, that is a clear signal to add a specific achievement rather than rewriting the whole letter. Once you are satisfied, use the Improve my letter tool to refine the wording further if needed.
Frequently asked questions
What is considered a passing score?
There is no universal pass mark, but a score of 80 or above generally indicates a letter that is specific, well-structured and ready to send.
Can I check the same letter multiple times after edits?
Yes, rescoring after each round of edits is a good way to confirm your changes actually improved the letter.
Does the score consider whether I addressed the right person?
Yes, using a generic greeting when a named contact is available in the advert can lower the tailoring score slightly.
Will a longer letter score higher?
No, letters significantly over 350 words tend to score lower on length and structure, since conciseness is part of what makes a letter effective.
What if my letter is for a creative role and intentionally unconventional?
The scoring reflects general best practice; for intentionally unconventional formats, use the feedback as one input rather than a strict rulebook, and weigh it against what is normal in your specific creative field.