Application Letter Must Haves For Winning Job Application Letters

Before we discuss what your job application letter should contain in order for the employer to take notice and review your resume, it is critical that understand the importance of having a well-written letter of application and what will make it successful.

The most commonly made mistake in CV or resume submissions is not including a copy of your letter. If you are emailing your resume, the application letter can be included in the body of the email, or attached (although employers typically are wary of attachments in email submissions). If you are faxing or mailing your resume, ensure that the letter comes before the resume and is therefore the first item to be seen.

Omitting a application letter from your job application appears very unprofessional to your potential employer; whilst having a well-written, personalized application letter allows the employer to get an insight into who you are, how you communicate and how you present yourself as a professional.

So when sending your employment application in your CV or resume should be accompanied by a letter of application, and these two items form a complete package. Your letter will help you to:

sell yourself by pointing out key features of your CV.
include material that is not in the CV, especially personal qualities that you listed when making your preparations.
show a prospective employer that you know how to write a letter. While this may be of decreasing importance in an electronic age, many employers do still value it as a test of your ability to communicate in writing.

The Easiest Cover Letter Creator

Application Letter Writing Tips

Here are some great tips on composing a winning job cover letter to accompany your CV or resume:

1. Address the letter to the appropriate person by name. The biggest mistake professionals make is not taking the time to address their letter to the appropriate person, such as the recruiter or the hiring manager. Take the time to address your letter to the appropriate person; if the job description does not include a person as a contact, take a cue from the text and address the letter to the team listed as the contact. Using generic lines, such as “To whom it may concern,” is not acceptable in any form of application.

2. Know what the goal of your letter is and express it clearly, and concisely. Sell yourself in the best possible light; make sure that you sound like a confident professional. Concentrate on the positives, and highlight those qualifications that make you a perfect candidate for the job. Even if you feel insecure in your qualifications, or feel that you may be slightly under-qualified for the job, put your best skills forward.

3. Customize your letter to the position you are applying for. It is very important that your application addresses why you are the best person for the job you are seeking. This includes indicating the job title in the application letter.

4. Do NOT make generic statements, or statements indicating that you might be interested in any open position with the company, as these make you appear unprofessional and unprepared.

5. Answer these two questions: why do you want this particular job, and what can you do for the company? These two questions must be addressed in your letter in order to let your employer know that you are serious about your interest, that you have considered the opportunity and how it fits with your professional goals, and what you are willing to bring to the table in order to benefit the organization you want to work for.

6. Proofread your letter, or better still, get someone else to read it over carefully. They are more likely to spot errors than you are. Errors and misspellings give a very poor impression to the potential employer.

7. Close your letter by indicating to your potential employer when you intend to follow up your application. Do not end the letter by asking the employer to call you at their convenience. Let the employer know that you want to follow up, when and how you will do so. This confirms your interest in the position, and your professional etiquette. Note, if you say you intend to follow up, then you MUST follow up when and how you indicated in your application.

You are here: Application Letter

Return to Your Career Change home page.

You might also want to get some samples of Application Letters

Be sure to visit our Career Books Shop for extra reading and information.

You can also search this site for more about career success, or the whole of the web from here.

Application Letter: This Is What Makes Successful Application Letters

Our Application Letter 'Must Haves' For Your Career Change

The Easiest Cover Letter Creator

Application Letter Writing Tips