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| Job Application letter sample |
Step By Step How to Write a Good Cover Letter/Application Letter for a Beginner
UNDERSTANDING COVER LETTER
Is always included with emailed online, or mailed resume It is NOT used when you “show up” in person with your resume whether in someone’s office or at a job fair. In those cases, YOU are your cover letter; you’ll say the same information out loud. It would be weird for them to read the letter while you stand there.
STEPS FOR WRITING A STANDARD LETTER OF APPLICATION
Most of the time, you will be writing a letter to apply for a job or internship that has a written position description from a job/internship posting outlining the responsibilities and qualifications of that job or internship. When writing a letter in this situation, follow these steps:
1. Use this booklet to gain a better understanding of the general format and content of your cover letter. See pages 4-7 for more information.
2. Read through the job/internship posting so you know the qualifications and responsibilities of the position. See page 9.
3. Compare the job/internship position description to your resume to determine the qualifications you have that match the position qualifications. See page 9 and 10.
4. Write your letter. Be sure to format your letter using the example on page 4 of this booklet and include the content explained in pages 4-7.
5. Drop by our office or schedule an appointment so we can review your cover letter with you before you submit it for your job/internship application. See our contact information on the cover page.
Job seeker Searching Step By Step How to Write a Good Cover Letter/Application Letter for a Beginner read here
ALSO REMEMBER: CUSTOMIZE EVERY COVER LETTER
Always write a personalized cover letter for each job.
Customize your “sales pitch,” linking your experience, demonstrated skills, course work, and accomplishments to the specific requirements (or job duties) of the open position that are revealed in the job posting.
CONTENT: APPLICATION LETTER
Remember that you are responding to a posted job position in this letter. That will guide some of your text. Make sure that you comment on specific qualifications that are listed in the advertisement.
THE EMPLOYER'S ADDRESS, NAME AND SALUTATION
With advertised openings, you will sometimes be instructed to send your information to an office, or a title, such as the Director of Human Resources. In this case, you need not find the name of the individual to whom you are writing. You can address the letter to "Dear Director," or "Dear Human Resources Department," or you can simply omit the salutation (Dear…………..) from the letter. Still, if you are provided the name of the appropriate person, it is easier. Note that if the gender of the person is unclear, your salutation should omit the Mr. or Ms. Title (i.e., “Dear Shannon Kirkpatrick,”)
THE FIRST PARAGRAPH.
Length: Two or three sentences
Content: This brief paragraph introduces who you are and why you are writing to the employer
· Identify the position for which you are applying and indicate how you heard about the opening (website, contact person, etc.).
· Make clear why the position is interesting to you and why you are qualified (Are you graduating? Is your major related to the position? Do you have relevant experience? Is this position a good transition for you in job-level or location?).
For example (if the position relates to your major, and you’re not a graduating senior)
1. I am applying for your part-time sales position which was posted on Handshake. I am currently a sophomore, and am majoring in Marketing
Or, if the position relates to your major, and you ARE a graduating senior:
2. I am applying for your Management Trainee position which was posted on Handshake. You indicate a need for a recent graduate with a background in business and sales. I will graduate in May with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, and I have held part-time sales positions throughout college.
3. During the last two years, my editing position with our school newspaper has provided me with experience related to the Proofreader position which was advertised on your company website. I will graduate from Capital University in May with a Bachelor's degree in English, and I plan to enter the field of publishing.
If the position doesn't relate to your major, but you have related employment experience, you will refer to your experience instead of your degree:
4. I am applying for your Customer Service Representative position which was advertised on LinkedIn. I have one year of customer service experience, and am interested in working within the insurance field
5. I am interested in the Loan Officer position with Orgo-gro. Mark Muggli, an analyst with your company, recently informed me of two openings in this division. I have two years of experience in banking, including significant exposure to loans and mortgages.
THE SECOND PARAGRAPH.
Length: Three to five sentences
Content: In this paragraph, you will emphasize a match between the skills you possess and those which are required by the employer. Use the job posting to guide your writing and include:
· Your qualifications for the position, as they relate to those listed by the employer. These qualifications will probably be a combination of your education and your work experience, so you will probably refer to current or previous employment, specific courses, aspects of jobs or internships, etc., that relate to this position or are listed in the qualifications.
· If there's a long list of qualifications, you don't need to mention every single one. You might write something like, "I have developed a range of communication, technical, and administrative skills during my three internships." Or you might even begin with a statement like, "My background includes experience related to all of the qualifications listed in your position description.
· Make some reference to your attached or enclosed resume (pay attention to whether you are attaching through email or enclosing through US Mail). Some options are:
1. My attached resume will give you a better view of my skills and abilities.
2. Please see my enclosed resume for more information.
3. Please see my attached resume for a more complete view of my background and qualifications.
If you have both academic qualifications and career-related work experience, you may want to separate this paragraph into two paragraphs. By doing this, you can focus on each of these subjects individually
THE THIRD PARAGRAPH.
Length: Two or three sentences.
Content: This is the paragraph in which you tell the employer how to get in touch with you, and thank the person for taking time to consider your application. Some examples are:
1. Should you need additional information, you can reach me at 614-236-5000 or ollege@capital.edu. Thank you for your consideration; I look forward to hearing from you soon.
2. I am available for an interview during (list dates or months or whenever you are available). You can reach me at (614) 555-1212 from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. I look forward to hearing from you.
3. I believe that my student teaching experience and academic background will be a benefit to the Wellington School. Should you need additional information, you can reach me at (614) 555-1234. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.
“ATTACHMENT” VS. “ENCLOSURE"
Usually you send a cover letter along with your resume, and sometimes you may have additional documents to send (such as a list of references, reference letters, writing samples, etc.). The word “attachment” at the bottom of the letter is used to indicate there is a document (or documents) you are sending with your cover letter.
When sending your documents.
By MAIL: Use the word “enclosure” or “enclosures” at the bottom of your letter
By EMAIL or ONLINE APPLICATIONS: Use the word “attachment” or “attachments.”
When sending:
· Only your resume and cover letter, write: attachment OR enclosure
· When there are more documents than your resume, indicate the number of documents you are sending in addition to your cover letter
For example, if you send your resume and list of references, write: “attachments (2)” OR “enclosures (2).”
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