How to Write an Application Letter?

How to Write an Application Letter?

What 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.

How to write 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. 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.

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.

1. 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 physical address
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.

1. 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 not sure of the name or
gender of the individual reviewing your application, you can use the generic
“To Whom It May Concern” or “Dear Hiring Manager.”

1. 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 interest in the
role and 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 in the role. 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.”

1. 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 non-profit
organization that provides educational opportunities to underserved
community members, you could talk about your experience with non-profit
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.

1. Include aspects of your personality

As you’re writing your job application letter, consider how you can incorporate
aspects of your personality. 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.

1. 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.”

1. 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.

Sending a job application letter

The format of your job application letter will depend on how you are sending it
to the hiring manager or supervisor. If you plan to email the application letter,
the formatting will differ from a printed, mailed letter. Your contact information
should be at the bottom of an email, beneath your typed full name.
When emailing a job application letter, it is also important to consider what
subject line to use to make sure the hiring manager opens the email and
reads your letter. When scanning their inbox, the hiring manager will see the
subject line you included first, along with your name and email address. The
decision to read or delete an email ultimately depends on what subject line
you choose, which means it is your chance to make a first impression.
The best subject lines are professional, polite, relevant and concise. When
sending a job application email, it is important to include the title of the job into
which you are inquiring or for which you are applying. Making your subject line
 specific also helps the reader categorize the email properly and respond
accordingly. Review your subject line to make sure it is free of any errors.

Job application 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.

Job application letter template

Consider the following template when planning your job application letter:
Your name
Your address
Your email address
Your phone number
Date
Name of hiring manager or supervisor
Title of hiring manager or supervisor
Company name
Company address
Salutation [Dear Mr./Ms.],
Outline where you saw the job posting and express your interest in working in
this role.
Discuss some of your qualifications that would make you a good fit for the job.
Describe your past experience in a way that emphasizes your personality and
skills, while also showcasing how you align with the goals of the company.
Express your appreciation to the hiring manager for reviewing your letter.
Include any follow-up information, if applicable.
Closing [Sincerely, Best]
Your signature
Your name (printed)

Job application letter example

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