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Do you need to write a letter to apply for a job? Most of the time, the answer is
yes. Even in the rare cases when employers don’t require a job application letter,
such as in the case of some part-time jobs, writing one will help you highlight
your skills and achievements and get the hiring manager’s attention.

Tips for Writing a Job Application Letter

A job application letter, also known 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 employer explains why you are qualified for the
position and should be selected for an interview.
Writing this letter can seem like a challenging task. However, if you take it one
step at a time, you'll soon be an expert at writing application letters to send with
your resume.
How to Get Started
Before you begin 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 include the most convincing, relevant details in your letter, you'll need to
know what the employer wants.
The biggest 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
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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.

Writing Guidelines for Job Application Letters

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
certain 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 included 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:
1. 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.
2. Salutation: This is your polite greeting. The most common salutation is
"Dear Mr./Ms." followed by the person's last name. Find out more about

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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.
3. Body of the letter: Think of this section as being three distinct parts.
In the first paragraph, you'll want to mention the job you are applying for and
where you saw the job listing.
The next paragraph(s) are the most important part of your letter. Remember how
you gathered all that information about what employers were 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.
4. Complimentary Close: Sign off your email with a polite close, such as
"Best" or "Sincerely," followed by your name.
5. 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.

Look at the given example on the next page…

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SAMPLE JOB APPLICATION LETTER

Elizabeth Johnson
12 Jones Street
Portland, Maine 04101
555-555-5555
[email protected]

August 11, 2020

Mark Smith
Human Resources Manager
Veggies to Go
238 Main Street
Portland, Maine 04101

Dear Mr. Smith,

I was so excited when my former coworker, Jay Lopez, told me

about your opening for an administrative assistant in your Portland
offices. A long-time Veggies to Go customer and an experienced
admin, I would love to help the company achieve its mission of
making healthy produce as available as takeout.

I’ve worked for small companies for my entire career, and I relish the
opportunity to wear many hats and work with the team to succeed. In
my latest role as an administrative assistant at Beauty Corp, I saved
my employer thousands of dollars in temp workers by implementing
a self-scheduling system for the customer service reps that cut down
on canceled shifts. I also learned web design, time sheet coding,
and perfected my Excel skills. 
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I’ve attached my resume for your consideration and hope to
speak with you soon about your needs for the role.

Respectfully yours,

ELIZABETH JOHNSON (Signature over printed name)

Now, it is your turn…

Activity:
Identify a company & position you are interested in applying
to, and write your application letter.
Note: You can assume. (Write it on a separate paper)

Online reference:
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/how-to-write-a-job-application-letter-
2061569

Job well done! Good luck on your next journey…

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