Knowing how to write a job application letter comfortably can give you an audience with any employer. In an application letter, you sell yourself by showcasing your skills and qualifications. Failing to deliver at this stage may lead to automatic rejections.
However, with a well-written application letter, recruiters can confirm your competence and even create a position just for you. This one tool can change your employment status if you use the right format. Read up to grab essential information you will need on your job search.
What is a job application letter?
A job application letter is simply a document used to indicate interest in a job position or company. Additionally, most jobseekers attach this letter to their CV to convince recruiters of their competence. Through this medium, you can highlight your qualifications, professional experiences, and skills.
Unlike a CV you send in response to a job vacancy, you can send out an application letter even without a formal job advert. Say you have an interest in a company; you can communicate your intentions through a job application letter.
How to write job application letters
Research the employer and job posting
Your job application letter can tickle a recruiter’s fancy if you have experiences tailored to their needs. However, this information can only be obtained through research. Check out your prospective employers, their needs, and expectations for any position you desire.
Create an outline
As a newbie, you need to learn to structure your letter correctly. For this, we go back to the writing outline we employ for essays. An outline is a basic plan for what your letter should contain and what you hope to achieve. Here, you can map out every idea, information, and detail you hope to include in your application.
Watch your tone
From the way you sound in writing, employers can assess your personality even without a physical meeting. Your tone is important. Use formal language to show professionalism and avoid slang and other disrespectful words.
Get to the point
A job application letter is a formal letter and should be treated as such. It should give relevant information about you and nothing more. More so, don’t stray from the point, and avoid repetition. Recruiters won’t bother reading past the first paragraph if you don’t know how to write one.
Type your letter
If you want to be treated seriously, then act like you mean business. A handwritten application won’t get you past the door. Get a high-quality paper and type your document, or save it as a PDF file for online applications. Prospective employers will always prefer to read a computer-generated letter to scribblings you make on paper.
Edit and edit some more
Except if you are aiming at disqualification, submitting an application letter with errors is harmful. Proofread your letter before and after you print. Also, you should pay attention to the most minute details, including spelling and punctuation. Should you discover errors even after printing, edit and print again.
Format for writing excellent job application letters
There is a professional format for writing job application letters. For instance, the heading must have your contact information, including your name, email, and date. Lastly, you must conclude with a complimentary close and a signature. Here’s more information;
Heading: Your name, contact information, date of application, and position of interest should appear on the top of the letter.
Address: Write both your address and that of your prospective employers next. This is becoming optional.
Salutation: The salutation should start with “Dear’ and then the hiring manager’s name. If you are not familiar with the manager’s name, you can just write their title.
Body: Here, you should focus on impressing your prospective employers with your qualifications and let them know why you are the best candidate for the job.
Closure: Before you wrap up, add a call to action line to implore the recruiters to consider you for the job position.
Conclusion
To conclude, your application letter can create a first impression that can either make or mar your chances of employment. It doesn’t have to go the wrong way if you take advantage of the tips in this article. Ultimately, your goal is to write an impressive job application letter that can immediately qualify you amongst your competitors.
