Do you require writing a job application letter? Most of the time, the answer is yes. Even in the rare cases when interviewers don’t need a job application letter, writing one will assist you mention your skills and achievements and get the hiring manager’s attention.

Tips for Writing a Job Application Letter

A job application letter, also termed 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 interviewer explains why you’re qualified for the position and should be selected for an interview.

Writing this letter can appear like a challenging task. Although, if you take it one step at a time, you’ll soon be an expert at writing application letters to send with your resume.

Tips to Get Started

Before you start 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.

To involve the most convincing, relevant details in your letter, you’ll require knowing what the employer needs. The greatest 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. 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.

Guidelines for Job Application Letter

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 few 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.

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 involved 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.

Salutation: This is your polite greeting. The most usual 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: Consider this section as being three distinct parts.

In the first paragraph, you will need to mention the job you are applying for and where you saw the job listing.

The next paragraph(s) are the most significant part of your letter. Remember how you gathered all that information about what employers was 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.

Signature: 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.