Job Application Letter Writing Made Easy With These Tips

Writing a Job Application Letter can be difficult, especially if you´re unsure where to start, so I hope you find the following letter layout tips helpful.

Job Application Letter - Layout

Like any other letter you might write start at the top with your contact information in the top right. The heading of the letter should include your full postal and email address, and both mobile and home telephone number.

• At the top left of the page put the employer's or Agency's postal address, including the name and job title of the person you are writing to.

• Add the date of your letter.

• Its always best to use a formal salutation.

• Dear Mr. / Ms. / Mrs. (you should ideally try to address your letter to a named person).

• Only use 'Dear Sir' or 'Dear Madam' if you cannot find out the person's name.

• When you are applying for an advertised position, put the job title and reference number in bold as a heading.

• 1st. paragraph of your application letter:

  This should express your interest in the position, and briefly say why the job is of specific interest to you.

• The 2nd. paragraph of your letter:

  Introduces your CV and briefly summarises your strengths, qualifications and experience in the organization´s market sector. I recommend that you use 5 or 6 bullet points to emphasise these matching qualifications.

• Use the third paragraph to add a sentence or two expanding a couple of relevant points that you pick out from the job advert.

• The closing paragraph reiterates your interest and confidence in your ability. It also states that you are looking forward to meeting the employer at interview.

• For your closing line you should follow this conventional approach.

  'Yours sincerely' if your letter was sent to a named person, or 'Yours faithfully' if you did not know the person´s name.

Your Name

Enc: CV

Let's see how that looks with an example...

An Example Job Application Letter:

You are here: Job Application Letter

If you have been on maternity leave or been away from the workplace for other reasons and are now thinking about returning to work this job application letter is a great place to start your preparations.

Other helpful pages in this section:

Cover Letter Examples

Free Cover Letters

Cover Letter Resources

Thank You Letters

Return To Your Career Change Home Page

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