What is the best way to write a cover letter for a job application?
Your letter should outline your specific qualifications for the position as well as the skills you would bring to the company. What matters most is that you demonstrate to the employer that you are a perfect fit for the position.
Through your job application letter, you can exhibit your most noteworthy qualifications. An effective cover letter will boost your application, highlight your accomplishments, and increase your chances of getting an interview.
In this article, we will define a job application cover letter, discuss why it is important to create one, outline how to write and provide a few examples and template to help you get ideas for your cover letter.
What is a Cover Letter for Application?
A letter of application, also known as a cover letter, is a document that goes along with your resume and provides an employer with additional information about your skills and previous experiences. Your application letter must include specifics about why you are the best candidate for the job.
They are intended to highlight your suitability for the role, list relevant skills, and state why you want to work for the organization. Hiring managers typically read your cover letter before your CV because it provides them with additional information about your strengths, skill sets, and ability to do the job.
Making a good first impression and convincing hiring managers that you’re a suitable candidate with your cover letter may help you get the job.
How to Write It
An effective cover letter can boost the value of your application, increasing your chances of being chosen for an interview. Unless an employer specifies otherwise, applicants nowadays send their cover letters via email or attach the file using an online application tracking system. Follow these steps to create a job application cover letter:
- Start with your header
Type your full name, address, and contact information at the upper edge of your document, followed by the date of application. This provides the reader with a quick point of reference and can help them with their process of filing. Use the same contact information as on your CV.
- Use a formal salutation
If the job listing includes a point of contact for sending your application, you can discuss one such person directly by using their name, such as Dear Serine. If you don’t know the hiring manager’s name, you can start with the traditional Dear Sir or Madam, or Dear Hiring Manager.
- Introduce yourself in the first paragraph
Introduce yourself and the position you’re applying for in your first paragraph. This paragraph allows you to describe your current position or title. You may assert your job description here, as well as remark on any relevant qualifications.
- Include professional information in the second paragraph
The second paragraph allows you to expand on any points you mentioned in your introduction. Although you may elaborate on your experiences here, remember to keep your details brief in order to avoid long, tedious reading.
- Wrap up with a lighthearted paragraph
It is absolutely essential to conclude your cover letter with the same attention that you gave to the previous paragraphs. It’s an opportunity to express your admiration for the company to which you’re applying while emphasizing how enticing the opportunity they’re offering is to you.
- Sign-off professionally
This is your final chance to make a good impression on the reader, so finish your cover letter with a courteous and professional sign-off.
- Proofread
Proofreading is the final and most significant step in finishing your cover letter. Checking your letter for spelling and grammatical errors thoroughly can help you avoid mistakes that would otherwise make your application appear unprofessional.
Tips for Writing This Letter
The goal of your job application cover letter is to strengthen your CV and increase your chances of being selected for the initial interview by hiring managers. Consider the following tips to ensure your cover letter provides the definitive qualities of yourself and tries to avoid errors that could jeopardize your application:
- Be direct: From the start, apply a confident, assertive tone and avoid ambiguous terms. Follow a direct narrative from how you discovered the position you’re applying for to why it endears to you and why you’re a strong candidate for the position.
- Enhance the qualities listed on your CV: Your CV enumerates your abilities and accomplishments in very factual terms, revealing very little about your personality. The language you use in your cover letter can help the recipient deduce aspects of your personality from the copy, such as drive, encouragement, and eagerness.
- Consider the cause: The goal of this letter is to safeguard an interview, which will lead to you obtaining a job offer. Use your cover letter to accomplish these objectives by including relevant details that have planned you to work in this role and listing the qualities that make you a worthy candidate for the position.
Sample and Template
Here’s an example of cover letter for job application that may be your guide in writing your own:
Sample Letter #1
Emily Crawford (123) 456 7890 | emily.crawford@email.com | Westbrook
June 30, 2021
Dear Laurence,
I am applying for this position in the finance department of Wonder Finance with a lot of enthusiasm. Your firm is well-known in the industry, and I have always wished to be a part of it. A former colleague who now works with you drew my attention to this position because he thought I would be an excellent fit for it.
I am confident that my current skills and experience, combined with my academic background, meet the high professional standards you have listed on your hiring page. I’ve always had a strong interest in business and earned a Master’s degree in management and accounting, from which I graduated with honors. In addition, I was privileged to begin a brief internship with Orion consultants before being hired into their accounts payable department, where I have gained useful experience over the last five years. Now, I am the senior accountant in charge of a small team.
I believe that clear communication with colleagues, as well as maintaining focus and a positive attitude, are essential for team success. Over the years, this professional viewpoint has helped me gain the trust of many of our clients. Although I enjoy my current position, I believe there is still much I might learn and many personal goals in financial services that I have yet to achieve. I believe Wonder Finance is a place of prominence and reputation, as well as an organization where I can use my skills to their full potential.
If given the chance, I would devote myself to the role in order to become an admirable member of the company. I hope this application leads to further discussion, and I appreciate the opportunity.
Sincerely,
Emily Crawford
Sample Letter #2
John Redde (123) 456 7890 | johnred@email.com | Florida
January 12, 2019
Dear Ma’am/Sir,
I’m writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Union Company. I’ve enclosed my credential, resume, and reference materials as requested.
The role appeals to me greatly, and I believe that my extensive technical experience and education qualify me as a strong candidate for this position. With a BS in computer programming, I have a thorough knowledge of the entire life cycle of projects involving software development. I also have experience learning and applying new technologies as needed. Please see my resume for more information on my experience.
I can be reached anytime via email at john.redde@email.com or by phone at (012) 345 6789.
Thank you for your consideration and time. I am excited to speak with you about this job opportunity.
Sincerely,
John Redde
Email Cover Letter Sample
Subject: Maurice Dawn – Web Content Manager Position
Dear Hiring Manager,
I’m writing to express my enthusiasm for the Web Content Manager position that was advertised on Job boards. I’ve worked on large, consumer-focused, health-related content websites. While the majority of my experience has been in business, I understand the social value of this sector and am confident that my experience in business will be beneficial to your organization.
My duties have included developing and managing website editorial voice and style, editorial calendars, and daily content coding and development for various websites.
I collaborated closely with health care providers and medical editors to provide the most accurate information to a patient consumer audience. I’ve also assisted physicians in using their medical content to create user-friendly and understandable text.
Experience has taught me how to establish strong working relationships with all departments within a company. I am capable of working both within and across teams. I can collaborate with web developers to resolve technical issues and implement technical improvements.
Working with development departments to implement design and functional enhancements, monitor site statistics, and conduct search engine optimization gives me confidence.
Thank you for taking the time to read this.
Maurice Dawn
maurice.dawn@email.com
(123) 456 7890
Cover Letter for Job Application Template
[Your Name]
[Street Address] | [City, ST ZIP Code] | [Phone] | [Email]
[Date]
[Recipient Name]
[Title]
[Company]
[Address]
[City, ST ZIP Code]
Dear [Recipient]:
[If you’re ready to write, just select this tip text and start typing to replace it with your own. Don’t include space to the right or left of the characters in your selection.]
[Apply any text formatting you see in this letter with just a click from the Home tab, in the Styles group.]
[Wondering what to include in your cover letter? It’s a good idea to include key points about why you’re a great fit for the company and the best choice for the specific job. Of course, don’t forget to ask for the interview—but keep it brief! A cover letter shouldn’t read like a novel, no matter how great a plot you’ve got.]
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Key Takeaways
- An application letter is sent with a resume and may be uploaded to a job portal, emailed, or mailed, depending on the employer’s preferences.
- Application letters are an excellent way to demonstrate your interest in a position while also emphasizing your most relevant skills.
- It is critical to tailor your letter to the job description and demonstrate to the employer that you possess the qualifications they seek.