Often, employers prefer that job applicants furnish them with a professionally written application letter for an open position instead of sending them their resume and cover letter. A job application letter is usually used when applying for a role when the role focuses more on their personality than all other aspects. A job application letter reflects more details about the applicant, whereas the resume focuses on their professional experiences and skills.
What is a Job Application Letter?
A job application letter is a standalone document submitted to the potential employer by the applicant expressing their interest in an open position. The application letter explains who you are, either as an individual or as a professional. The application letter should highlight your skills and achievements, helping to capture the recruiter’s attention responsible for reviewing job applications.
When properly drafted, an application letter explains to the recipient why they should book you for an interview and outlines the significant qualifications that make you the perfect candidate for the position. A professionally written job application letter can create a great first impression and help set you apart from thousands of applicants.
Difference Between a Job Application Letter and a Cover Letter
The key difference between a job application letter and a cover letter is that;
- Cover letters only define the applicants’ professional qualifications and the reason for writing the letter, while;
- The job application letter outlines the applicants’ skills, qualifications, strengths, and previous job experiences that are related to the position that they are applying for.
How to Write a Job Application Letter
When drafting your job application letter, follow these steps to ensure that you include all the information about yourself and your professional experience that will help you seize the hiring managers’ attention:
Do your research about the organization and the open positions
You must draft a new job application letter for each position you are applying for. This is important so as not to sound generic. By writing from scratch, you will also be able to include pertinent details about the position you are applying for and show your interest in that specific role. Go through the job advert and the company’s website and compare the qualifications and experience with the list of skills and qualifications listed in the job posting. You may also want to brainstorm some of your significant experiences related to the position you are applying for.
Use a professional format
All job application letters should follow a standard format and should be professionally written. The letter should be single-spaced, have a one-inch margin, and should be left-aligned. Also, you should consider using a more professional and traditional font such as Times New Roman- font size twelve. Try to tailor your letter to fit on one page of printed paper.
Use a formal business heading
When writing your job application letter, you should use a formal business heading. The heading of your application letter should include your name, your contact information, the date of writing, and the company’s name and address.
Address the letter to the right recipient
When gathering information about the company, try and find out the name of the person that you are to send the letter to. In most cases, the person you are supposed to send the letter to is usually included in the job advert, if not try and contact the company and find out their name.
Start by describing your interest
In your first paragraph, mention the position that you are applying for and where you saw the job listing. Include your interest in the position and provide a brief description of your experiences and qualifications that make you the best candidate for the role.
Outline your skills, experiences, and qualifications
In the next few paragraphs of your job application letter, outline your skills, experiences, and qualifications poised in a way that aligns with the company’s mission and vision statements.
Include aspects of your personality
When writing your application letter, focus on how you can incorporate aspects of your personality. An engaging letter is more likely to attract the attention of the reader, especially when they can get an idea of how you will be an asset to their team.
Express appreciation
Before signing off on your job application letter, express your appreciation to the recipient of the letter for reviewing your application letter and considering you for the job. Remember that the hiring manager/potential employer is taking their time to go through your letter, so expressing your gratitude for the time that they spend is a polite and professional way to close your letter.
Close the letter
Use a professional sign off to conclude your letter. Most people use “Best” or “Sincerely” to close the letter, but you can choose any other that is professional to use.
Sending Your Job Application Letter
Job application letter formats depending on whether one is sending it to their supervisor or the hiring manager. If you are looking to send your letter via email, your letter’s format will differ from a mailed or printed letter. When sending via email, your contact information should be at the bottom part of your letter for an email, below your full typed name.
When you are sending your job application letter via email, it is important to consider the letter’s subject line. The subject line will, in most cases, determine whether the hiring manager opens your letter or not. Make sure to use a relevant subject line in your application, for instance; you can use something like, “Job application letter for the position of…” The best subject line is usually professional, polite, concise, and relevant.
Free Job Application Letter Templates
Depending on how your choice of words, formatting, and length of your job application letter can either make or break you. To ensure that your job application letter has everything and is well structured, consider the following templates when writing:
Tips to Follow
When drafting your job application letter, make sure to follow these tips to ensure that you have included all the information that the hiring manager requires:
- Emphasize your abilities and skills: your job application letter is an opportunity for you to introduce and sell yourself as the best candidate for the position that you are applying for. Include some specific situations in which you managed to properly apply your skills, experiences, and abilities to benefit the organization that you were working for. You can also include data to quantify and back up your claims
- Keep the letter short: even though you may be tempted to include a lot of unnecessary details about yourself, it is important to be brief in your writing. If the potential employer or the hiring manager receives a letter that has several pages, they may not dedicate their time to go through it. A concise letter is more manageable and appealing to them.
- Proofread your work: since the job application will serve as your first impression, you want to ensure that it sends a positive vibe to the recipient. Ensure that your letter is free of any grammatical errors and spelling mistakes to avoid a potentially negative first impression.
- Close the letter with all the important details: thank the hiring manager for their time and consideration. Also, provide your contact information and mention how you will follow up.
Conclusion
Most companies usually receive thousands of applications for open positions every day, therefore for you to stand out, your letter should look good, and it must capture their attention from the onset. Having a well-drafted job application letter can greatly help you in getting your dream job. If your job application looks professional, then the hiring manager will be more likely to take it more seriously.