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1 APPLICATION LETTER

A. What is an Application Letter?

A letter of application, also known as a cover letter, is a document sent with your resume to
provide additional information about your skills and experience. The letter of application is
intended to provide detailed information on why you are a qualified candidate for the job.
Effective application letters explain the reasons for your interest in the specific organization and
identify your most relevant skills. The Application Letter should let the employer know what
position you are applying for, what makes you a strong candidate, why they should select you for
an interview, and how you will follow up.

B. The Function & Benefit of Application Letter

An application letter is merely another name for a cover letter, the official business letter often
included with a job application and/or resume and sent to a prospective employer. Although
application letters are generally considered optional components of applying for a job, more and
more frequently, employers are singling out those who actually take the time to write an
application letter as their top picks.
Here are a few components of a typical, successful application letter:
 Professional Style
Application letters are usually, and should always, be in an officer letter style, like block
style. These letters should be formatted properly and checked for spelling and grammatical
errors.
 Salutation
Although many application letters open with a simple "Sir or Madam:", the more
successful application letters are addressed personally to the hiring manager (which often
takes some research on the part of the job applicant).
 Body
The body of a good application letter, usually 3 to 4 paragraphs, explains why the applicant
is a good fit for the job, explains relevant experience, and shows how that experience
would be useful if selected for the career opportunity.
 Attachments
An application letter is rarely sent to a prospective employer alone. It is usually
accompanied by a resume, salary history, list of references, and/or other documentation of
achievements.
 Length
Application letters are generally no more than one page in length. Employers are
unimpressed by application letters of half a page or less, though; filling most of one page is
the safest way to complete an application letter.
C. What to Include in the Application Letter?
As with all cover letters, the body of this job application letter is divided into three sections:
 The introduction, which should include why the applicant is writing.
 The body, which discusses relevant qualifications.
 The close, which thanks the reader and provides contact information and follow-up
details.
 Your signature to end the letter.

D. Sample Cover Letter

This is a sample cover letter. Download the cover letter template (compatible with Google
Docs and Word Online) or see below for an email sample, and more examples of interview
winning cover letters.