How to write a job application letter

(by: Indeed Editorial Team)

An application letter, also known as a "cover letter," is sent with your resume
during the job application process. A letter adds more personality to your application by
providing more details about your background and interest in the position, while a
resume outlines your professional skills and experience more.

What really is a job application letter?

An application letter is a standalone document you submit to a potential

employer to express your interest in an open position. The job application letter
explains who you are as a professional and an individual. The letter should highlight
your achievements and skills, helping to get the attention of the hiring manager or
recruiter responsible for reviewing applications. When written well, this letter explains
to the reader why they should ask you in for an interview and highlights the key
qualifications that make you a fit for the role.

A job application letter can impress a potential employer and set you apart from
other applicants. In your letter, you may also want to show your familiarity with the
company to which you’re applying. You can talk about how your professional goals and
aspirations align with the company’s goals. It’s important to use your job application
letter to showcase aspects of your personality.

Job application letter tips

When preparing a job application letter, follow these tips to make sure
your letter includes the information a hiring manager needs:

1. Emphasize your skills and abilities

An application letter is your opportunity to sell yourself as an excellent

candidate for the open position. Include specific examples of situations in which you
applied your experience, abilities and skills to benefit the organization. It is also helpful
to include data that supports your claims.

2. Stay concise

Although it may be tempting to include a lot of detailed information about

yourself, it is important to be concise. If a hiring manager receives a letter that is
multiple pages, they may not take the time to read it. A brief letter is more manageable
and appealing.
3. Proofread the letter

Since this letter is serving as your first impression, you want to make sure It is as
positive as possible. Make sure your letter does not have any grammatical or spelling
errors to avoid a potentially negative first impression.

4. Review the job listing keywords

Most job postings will include certain skills and abilities that the hiring manager and
supervisor want applicants to possess. Including these keywords in your application
letter helps to show the person reviewing it you would be a good fit in that specific role.

5. Send a letter for every position to which you apply

Unless a job posting specifically states not to send an application letter, it is

smart to send one for each job to which you apply. This letter offers the opportunity for
a potential employer to learn more about you and gives you the chance to set yourself
apart from other applicants.

How to format an application letter

When writing an application letter for a job, follow these steps to make sure you
include information about yourself and your professional experience that will appeal to
a hiring manager:
1. Use a professional format.
2. Create the heading.
3. Address the letter to the hiring manager.

1. Use a professional format

A job application letter should be more professional than a thank-you card or an

email to a coworker or friend. The alignment of the document should include single
spacing, one-inch margins and left alignment. It’s best to use a professional and
traditional font, such as Times New Roman, in a size from 10 to 12 points. Try to keep
your job application letter to one page. When a hiring manager reviews your job
application letter, they will get their first impression of you as a potential employee, so
take time to format it professionally and keep it concise.

2. Create the heading

Use a formal business heading for your job application letter. The heading
should include your name and contact information, the date and the company name and
address. If you send your job application letter via email, you can eliminate your name
and contact information from the header and put it at the bottom of the email after the
signature instead.

Example header:
Your name
Your city and ZIP code
Your phone number
Your email address

Date

Name of hiring manager or supervisor

Title of hiring manager or supervisor
Company name
Company physical address

By including a professional and detailed heading, you can make it easier for the
hiring manager to follow up with you regarding the position.

3. Address the letter to the hiring manager

In your research, try to find the name of the person reviewing applications for
the job. Address your letter to this person with a common business greeting, such as
“Dear Mr./Ms.” and their last name. If you’re unable to find their preferred gender
pronouns (she/her, them/they) of the individual reviewing your application, you can
use “Dear [first and last name]” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”

How to write an application letter

1. Review information about the company and position
2. Open the letter by describing your interest
3. Outline your experience and qualifications
4. Include aspects of your personality
5. Express appreciation
6. Close the letter

1. Review information about the company and position

It’s best to write a new application letter for each position you’re applying for so
you can include pertinent details and show your interest in the particular open role.
Spend some time reviewing the company information, which you can likely find on the
website, as well as the position listing. Compare your qualifications and experience with
the list of skills in that posting. You may also want to think about specific experiences
that have prepared you for the role, such as leading a team or managing a major event.
2. Open the letter by describing your interest

In the first paragraph of your letter, mention the job title for which you’re
applying and where you saw the position posting. Include your specific interest in the
role and company so the reader knows this is not a generic application letter. Briefly
state the main experience or qualification you have that makes you a good fit. This is the
section that will draw in the hiring manager as the reader of your application letter, so it
is important to appeal to that person quickly and succinctly.

Example: “I saw the posting for the marketing intern role on my university’s online job
board, and I am very interested. I’m drawn to your company’s mission of innovation and
putting the customer first. I am in my final year of earning my bachelor’s degree in
marketing with a minor in communications, so I feel my educational experience has
prepared me to work in a fast-paced marketing department like the one within your
organization.”

An “About Me,” also known as a blurb, is a short piece of writing that informs
your reader about your professional background, key accomplishments, personal values
and any brands you may be associated with. Personal websites, social media profiles and
company directories often feature “About Me” sections. A blurb is an opportunity to
quickly give important details about yourself to potential business contacts like clients,
vendors, employers or anyone who wants to get to know you better.

“About Me” writings can vary in length, tone, content and point of view. For
example, a social media blurb might be shorter, more informal and written with first-
person “I” statements. Blurbs for a company website might include more details, use a
professional tone and show your full name. However, you have a lot of freedom in
choosing the length and style of your “About Me.”

Blurbs are important because they quickly give potential business contacts the
most relevant information about you. Because an “About Me” can be less formal than a
candidate profile on a resume, it can also be a chance to use humor or a personal story
to help the reader become familiar with you.

3. Outline your experience and qualifications

The next few paragraphs of your letter should highlight your experience,
qualifications and skills, positioned in a way that aligns with the company’s goals and
mission. For example, if you are applying for a job with a nonprofit organization that
provides educational opportunities to underserved community members, you could talk
about your experience with nonprofit organizations or educational offerings. Since a job
application letter should stand on its own without a resume, it’s helpful to include
details about your experience that relate to the position to which you’re applying.

4. Include aspects of your personality

As you’re writing your job application letter, consider how you can incorporate
aspects of your personality while remaining professional. A friendly and engaging letter
is likely to appeal to the reader, especially when they can get an idea of how well you
might fit with the team.
For example, in the situation mentioned above, explain in your letter you are good at
connecting with children or how you value community spirit.

5. Express appreciation

Before you sign off on your letter, express your appreciation to the hiring manager for
reviewing your letter and considering you for the position. The hiring manager is taking
time out of their day to read what you have written, so expressing your gratitude for
that time spent is a polite and professional way to close the document.

Example: “I appreciate the time you have taken to review my application letter. Since
you likely received a number of applications and letters for this open position, I am
extremely grateful for the time you have spent reading about me and what would make
me a good fit for this role.”

6. Close the letter

Many people use “Sincerely” or “Best” to close the letter, although any
professional sign-off is fine to include. The final line of the letter should be your full
name. If you submit a hard copy of the letter, include your signature above your typed
name. When submitting an application letter via email, you should include your contact
information beneath your name, rather than including it in the header.

A great cover letter closing allows you to sign off with grace and professionalism. It’s
one final opportunity to express genuine interest in the job and highlight how you can
positively impact the company. A compelling closing statement not only ends the cover letter
on a positive note but cements the fact that you’re the ideal candidate.

Job application letter example

We use this sample job application letter to help inspire you to write your own:

Lee Jimenez
483 Apple Street
New York, NY 10001
(212) 555-8965
[email protected]

September 15, 2019

Sarah Jenkins
Recruiter
Rogers Consulting
901 Main Street
New York, NY 10001

Dear Ms. Jenkins,

I am reaching out to you regarding the posting for the human

resources consultant position I found on Indeed.com. I have a great
interest in this position and would appreciate your consideration as a
candidate for the role.

In my previous experience, I worked in human resources departments

to provide support across several different industries. I have worked in
my current role as a human resources generalist for the past four
years. Prior to this job, I worked as a human resources assistant for
two years, which shows my ability to advance in my career.

I have a strong passion for helping others, which is why I have found
such fulfillment in human resources, providing support to my fellow
employees and assisting them in ways that benefit them both
personally and professionally. I also enjoy looking for solutions to
common HR problems, which I feel would be a great asset in the
position with your company. Since this consultant position works
directly with multiple clients, assisting them in their human resources
needs, I believe my innovative nature and strong skill set will help me
succeed.

I have strong communication skills, which are vital to success in the

HR field. I also have a bachelor’s degree in human resources from
Arizona State University. Throughout my education, I worked with
skilled human resources professionals who have shared their insights
and experience with me. Some of my strongest skills include my ability
to increase employee retention through the improvement of company
culture and to develop training and education programs to ensure all
employees have access to the information they need to succeed and
comply with legal requirements.
I appreciate your time in reviewing this letter and hope to hear from
you in regard to the next steps in the hiring process. If you have any
questions or need any additional information, please don’t hesitate to
contact me.

Sincerely,
Lee Jimenez

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