These writing guidelines apply to both email content and letters written as a document. There are just some formatting differences.Many applications require a cover letter alongside a résumé. From proofreading to tone, follow these six cover letter tips from VA recruiters to help your application to work at VA stand out. Use professional salutations such as "Mr." and "Ms. "; and always include your full name, telephone number and mailing address. In the first paragraph, include the specific job title for which you are applying and where you found the position (newspaper, website, etc.). Q: Should you send a cover letter even if the employer says it's optional? (Opening Paragraph) In the first sentence, write the name of the position you are applying for. DPOR forms and applications are offered in Adobe Reader as either a static PDF or an interactive ("fillable") PDF.