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How To Write a Job Application Letter (With Examples)
What is a Job Application Letter?
Tips for writing a job application letter, how to get started.
- Writing Guidelines
- What to Include in Each Section
Simple Formatting Using a Template
Tips for writing an effective letter, sample job application letter, sending an email application, review more letter examples.
Do you need to write a letter to apply for a job? Most of the time, the answer is yes. Even when employers don’t require a job application letter , writing one will help you highlight your skills and achievements and get the hiring manager’s attention. The only time not to send one is when the job listing says not to do so. It can help, and it definitely won't hurt to include an application letter with your resume.
A job application letter, also known as a cover letter , should be sent or uploaded with your resume when applying for jobs. While your resume offers a history of your work experience and an outline of your skills and accomplishments, the job application letter you send to an employer explains why you are qualified for the position and should be selected for an interview.
Writing this letter can seem like a challenging task. However, if you take it one step at a time, you'll soon be an expert at writing application letters to send with your resume.
Melissa Ling / The Balance
Before you begin writing your job application letter, do some groundwork. Consider what information you want to include (keeping in mind that space is limited).
Remember, this letter is making a case for your candidacy for the position. But you can do better than just regurgitating your resume—instead, highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and abilities.
Analyze the Job Posting
To include the most convincing, relevant details in your letter, you'll need to know what the employer wants.
The biggest clues are within the job advertisement, so spend some time decoding the job ad . Next, match your qualifications with the employer's wants and needs .
Include Your Most Relevant Qualifications
Make a list of your relevant experience and skills. For instance, if the job ad calls for a strong leader, think of examples of when you've successfully led a team. Once you've jotted down some notes, and have a sense of what you want to highlight in your letter, you're ready to get started writing.
Writing Guidelines for Job Application Letters
Writing a job application letter is very different from a quick email to a friend or a thank-you note to a relative. Hiring managers and potential interviewers have certain expectations when it comes to the letter's presentation and appearance, from length (no more than a page) to font size and style to letter spacing :
Length: A letter of application should be no more than one page long. Three to four paragraphs is typical.
Format and Page Margins: A letter of application should be single-spaced with a space between each paragraph. Use about 1" margins and align your text to the left, which is the standard alignment for most documents.
Font: Use a traditional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The font size should be between 10 and 12 points.
What To Include in Each Section of the Letter
There are also set rules for the sections included in the letter, from salutation to sign-off, and how the letter is organized. Here's a quick lowdown on the main sections included in a job application letter:
Heading: A letter of application should begin with both your and the employer's contact information (name, address, phone number, email) followed by the date. If this is an email rather than an actual letter, include your contact information at the end of the letter, after your signature.
- Header Examples
Salutation: This is your polite greeting. The most common salutation is "Dear Mr./Ms." followed by the person's last name. Find out more about appropriate cover letter salutations , including what to do if you don't know the person's name, or are unsure of a contact's gender.
Body of the letter: Think of this section as being three distinct parts.
In the first paragraph , you'll want to mention the job you are applying for and where you saw the job listing.
The next paragraph(s) are the most important part of your letter. Remember how you gathered all that information about what employers were seeking, and how you could meet their needs? This is where you'll share those relevant details on your experience and accomplishments.
The third and last part of the body of the letter will be your thank you to the employer; you can also offer follow-up information.
Complimentary Close: Sign off your email with a polite close, such as "Best" or "Sincerely," followed by your name.
- Closing Examples
Signature: When you're sending or uploading a printed letter, end with your signature, handwritten, followed by your typed name. If this is an email, simply include your typed name, followed by your contact information.
- Signature Examples
Overwhelmed by all these formatting and organization requirements? One way to make the process of writing a job application easier is to use a job application letter template to create your own personalized job application letters for applying for a job. Having a template can help save you time if you are sending a lot of application letters.
Be sure that each letter you send is personalized to the company and position; do not send the same letter to different companies.
- Always write one. Unless a job posting specifically says not to send a letter of application or cover letter, you should always send one. Even if the company does not request a letter of application, it never hurts to include one. If they do ask you to send a letter, make sure to follow the directions exactly (for example, they might ask you to send the letter as an email attachment, or type it directly into their online application system).
- Use business letter format. Use a formal business letter format when writing your letter. Include your contact information at the top, the date, and the employer’s contact information. Be sure to provide a salutation at the beginning, and your signature at the end.
- Sell yourself. Throughout the letter, focus on how you would benefit the company. Provide specific examples of times when you demonstrated skills or abilities that would be useful for the job, especially those listed in the job posting or description. If possible, include examples of times when you added value to a company.
Numerical values offer concrete evidence of your skills and accomplishments.
- Use keywords. Reread the job listing, circling any keywords (such as skills or abilities that are emphasized in the listing). Try to include some of those words in your cover letter. This will help the employer see that you are a strong fit for the job.
- Keep it brief. Keep your letter under a page long, with no more than about four paragraphs. An employer is more likely to read a concise letter.
- Proofread and edit. Employers are likely to overlook an application with a lot of errors. Read through your cover letter, and if possible, ask a friend or career counselor to review the letter. Proofread for any grammar or spelling errors.
This is a job application letter sample. Download the letter template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online) or read the example below.
Sample Job Application Letter (Text Version)
Elizabeth Johnson 12 Jones Street Portland, Maine 04101 555-555-5555 elizabethjohnson@emailaddress.com
August 11, 2020
Mark Smith Human Resources Manager Veggies to Go 238 Main Street Portland, Maine 04101
Dear Mr. Smith,
I was so excited when my former coworker, Jay Lopez, told me about your opening for an administrative assistant in your Portland offices. A long-time Veggies to Go customer and an experienced admin, I would love to help the company achieve its mission of making healthy produce as available as takeout.
I’ve worked for small companies for my entire career, and I relish the opportunity to wear many hats and work with the team to succeed. In my latest role as an administrative assistant at Beauty Corp, I saved my employer thousands of dollars in temp workers by implementing a self-scheduling system for the customer service reps that cut down on canceled shifts. I also learned web design, time sheet coding, and perfected my Excel skills.
I’ve attached my resume for your consideration and hope to speak with you soon about your needs for the role.
Best Regards,
Elizabeth Johnson (signature hard copy letter)
Elizabeth Johnson
When you are sending your letter via email include the reason you are writing in the subject line of your message:
Subject Line Example
Subject: Elizabeth Johnson – Administrative Assistant Position
List your contact information in your signature, rather than in the body of the letter:
Email Signature Example
Elizabeth Johnson 555-555-5555 email@emailaddress.com
Review more examples of professionally written cover letters for a variety of circumstances, occupations, and types of jobs.
CareerOneStop. " How Do I Write a Cover Letter ?" Accessed July 14, 2021.
University of Maryland Global Campus. " Frequently Asked Questions ." Accessed July 14, 2021.
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The letter of application is essentially a sales letter. In it, you are trying to sell your services and, in most cases, you will be competing with other applicants. Your immediate objective is to have your letter read by someone in the organization who has authority to screen job applicants; your ultimate goal is to obtain an interview.
To help you with that, we offer you our wide selection of ready-made Job Application Letter Templates that are compatible with Adobe PDF. With their help, you can have a job application letter that is formal and effective in expressing your interest in the job you are applying for. These templates are 100% customizable and easily-editable.
47+ Resignation Letter Templates - Free Word, Excel, PDF, iPages. 19+ Sample Job Application Letters for Assistants - DOC, PDF. 14+ Job Application Letters For HR. 21+ Letter of Recommendation for Student - PDF, DOC. 11+ Part-Time Job Cover Letter Templates -Samples, Examples. 11+ Medical Letter Templates.
Save time with our easy 3-step resume builder. No more writer's block or formatting difficulties in Word. Rapidly make a perfect resume employers love. Create My Resume Resume Examples. Basic or Simple cover letter Templates to get hired faster 20 expert tested cover letters download as Word or PDF Over 13 Million Users.
Application Letter Template in PDF. If You are Currently Writing and Eyeing for a Job Vacancy Position to Secure Employment, You Should Check out Template.Net Which Holds Thousands of Sample Cover Letters Made Simple through PDF, Google Docs, and the Like. One Can Easily Use the Examples on the Site Free from Any Charges.
No hard numbers. "I worked in a team and provided customer service to elderly residents". 5. Choose engaging words for your application letter. Your letter of application's length should be 250 to 400 words or 3 to 4 paragraphs — long enough to get your point across but short enough that the reader won't lose interest.
Inside Address—Include the name, title, organization, and mailing address. Spell the name correctly to avoid offending the recipient—phone the company if you do not know to whom to address the letter. Salutation—Begin your letter with "Dear" followed by the reader's title and last name, ending with a colon, not a comma.
• Review the standard cover letter format (p. 3) and the sample cover letter (p.4). • Craft your letter in your own voice. • Match the tone of the job description and organization. INTERPRETING A JOB DESCRIPTION WORKSHEET A cover letter answers three basic questions: Who are you and what are you applying for? What value can you add to this
Format of an Application Letter. Create enough spacing: 1-1.15 between lines, 1-inch margins, double space between paragraphs. Choose the font: Garamond, Helvetica, or Arial in 11-12 points in a font size. Align the content to the left. Pick the file format: PDF, unless the recruiter requested a Word file specifically.
Save time with our easy 3-step resume builder. No more writer's block or formatting difficulties in Word. Rapidly make a perfect resume employers love. Modern cover letter Templates to get hired faster 20 expert tested cover letters download as Word or PDF Over 13 Million Users.
A job application letter, also known as a cover letter, should be sent or uploaded with your resume when applying for jobs. While your resume offers a history of your work experience and an outline of your skills and accomplishments, the job application letter you send to an employer explains why you are qualified for the position and should be ...
It means that you need to provide the following information: Your personal info (name, email, phone number/LinkedIn) Date written. The recipient's info (name, job title, email, company address) Example of an application letter header: Kaylee Tran. 9215 Fremontia Ave, Fontana, CA 92335.
Follow these steps to compose a compelling application letter: 1. Research the company and job opening. Thoroughly research the company you're applying to and the specifications of the open position. The more you know about the job, the better you can customize your application letter. Look for details like:
Sample Job Application Letter with Format (for applicant with experience) January 1, 2018 (date to be listed should be when the application letter will be submitted) (standard format - phone number, home address, email address of applicant) (standard format - name of HR manager or other company officer, name of company, company address ...
Letters of application are essential in the job market, so don't risk losing to other candidates just because you didn't write one. 2. Address Your Letter of Application Properly. Addressing an application letter is simple. Firstly, include your contact information in the header of the application letter : Full name.
PDF; Size: 580 KB. Download Procedure to Write an Application Letter. Writing an application letter, often known as a cover letter, is a crucial step in the Job Application Process.This letter accompanies your resume and is your first opportunity to introduce yourself to a potential employer.
The Job Applicant, who will submit this application, will need to be identified at the beginning of this process. His or her name is expected in the standard presentation of "First," "Middle," and "Last" where requested. (2) Current Date. (3) Address. The Job Applicant's residential address must be distributed to the next area.
47+ Resignation Letter Templates - Free Word, Excel, PDF, iPages. 19+ Sample Job Application Letters for Assistants - DOC, PDF. 14+ Job Application Letters For HR. 21+ Letter of Recommendation for Student - PDF, DOC. 11+ Part-Time Job Cover Letter Templates -Samples, Examples. 11+ Medical Letter Templates.
The name of the person to whom the job application letter is for and his or her connection to the company. The business name and other information of the company where you are applying. A salutation. An introduction that you can wrap up in the first paragraph of your job application letter, which includes; Your name.
Below is a detailed format to guide you in writing an effective letter of application. 1. Header. Your Contact Information: Include your name, address, phone number, and email address. Date: The date when the letter is written. Employer's Contact Information: Include the name of the hiring manager (if known), the title, company name, and ...
Our Job Application Letter Example makes your simple letters personal and professionally written. Whether you prefer handwritten or electronic letters, each Job Application Letter in PDF features prewritten sample content for a request letter, application, references, and more!Explain your intent and boost your simple resumes to be the right candidate for the role.
I authorize the Employer to make an investigation of any of the facts set forth in this application and release the Employer from any liability. The employer may contact any listed references on this application. acknowledge and understand that the company is an "at will" employer. Therefore, any employee (regular, temporary, or other type ...
29+ Job Offer Letter Examples. 47+ Resignation Letter Templates - Free Word, Excel, PDF, iPages. 19+ Sample Job Application Letters for Assistants - DOC, PDF. 14+ Job Application Letters For HR. 21+ Letter of Recommendation for Student - PDF, DOC. 11+ Part-Time Job Cover Letter Templates -Samples, Examples.