Application Letter

What is Application Letter?

In another word, an application letter is also called as a cover letter. It is considered to be the
important document which you can send with your resume. In this document, you can add
information related to your skills and experiences. This letter basically gives the reason to the
employer to appoint you because it states your qualification for the particular job.

Have you found the perfect job opportunity? If yes, then definitely you will plan to send your
resume. It is important to send a resume but before that, you also need to submit an
application letter or cover letter.

Many people think it to be the waste of time. Writing tailor made application letter is not the
waste of time but it can add more value to your resume. In this letter, you can explain to your
employer that you can be a great asset to the team in order to perform a particular task. This
letter can open the door of employment for you if you perfectly highlight your skills.

In such letter, let the employer know the position for which you are applying. The aim of
your letter should be that you are called for an interview. It is said to be the first
correspondence which you will have with an employer. Employer finds it easy to judge the
applicant with the assistance of this letter.

Competition is tough and so it is important for your application to stand out.

What is the purpose of a letter of application?

to express your interest in attending an institution or receiving a position. It showcases your abilities
and strengths, and illustrates your experience.

Types of job application letter

1. 1. INTRODUCTION A job application letter is an applicant´s first contact with a
prospective employer. It is an important document which speaks about the Applicant, and
his suitability for the job.
2. 2. CONTENT Types of job application letters Job application letters may be of 3 kinds as
follows: I. Letter style application II. Prescribed form of the employer, and III. Covering
letter with bio-data (resume)
3. 3. I. Letter style application 1. Brief paragraph of response to an advertisement or
assumption of vacancy 2. Name 3. Age and date of birth 4. Address, tel.no., and e-mail
5. Educational qualifications 6. Experience (… years) 7. Special achievements 8.
Languages known 9. Salary expected 10. References i) ii)
4. 4. II. Prescribed Form of the Employer a) Government offices, public sector companies
and some private institutions accept application in prescribed form only. b) The standard
forms are designed for easy comparison and short listing. c) Different formats. d) Signed
declaration. d) Cast/Religion specifications.
 5. 5. III. Covering letter with Bio-data (Resume) COVERING LETTER When applying for a
job a cover letter should be sent or posted with resume. It Should be specific to the
position applied for. It is used for official and top executive positions.
6. 6. RESUME Resume is a structured, written summary of a person’s employment
background, skills, accomplishments, education and experience. Resumes are of 2 types
: a) Chronological Resume b) Functional Resume
7. 7. A Sample Cover Letter Reenu Baby Mannathukuzhiyil House Pottasseri (P.O),
Palakkad, (from address) Kerala, India, 678598 Ph: 011-91-4924238786 E-mail –
[email protected] 23 March 2014 (date) The Personnel Manager The Pacific
Chemical Limited (to address) M.G. Road, Ernakulum - 11 Sir, (salutation) Sub:
Application for the post of “Management Trainee” (subject) Ref: Your advertisement in
“The Hindu” dated 9-3-’14 (reference) With reference to your advertisement in “The
Hindu" for the post of “Management Trainee”, I am forwarding my (main body) resume for
your perusal. I took forward to your consideration and call for an interview. Thanking You,
Yours faithfully, (closing) Annie John Encl. A resume. (enclosure)
8. 8. Resume 1. Name, address, tel. no., e-mail 2. Job Objectives 3. Personal Profile 4.
Specialization 5. Education 6. Scholarships/Awards 7. Interests and Achievements 8.
Personal Objective 9. Strengths 10. Work Experience 11. References
9. 9. CURRICULUM VITAE (CV) C.V. is a written statement of an applicant´s personal
history, biographical details, educational qualifications, work experiences, achievements,
and other strong points that make him suitable for getting selection for a job. steffy.pdf
10. 10. BIBLIOGRAPHY ABRAHAM .M.M, Dr. G.S. GIREESH KUMAR . BUSINESS
COMMUNICATION & MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM . PRAKASH
PUBLICATIONS CHANGANACHERRY . 2013

Tips for Writing a Strong Application Letter

Follow these strategies to write a strong letter:

 Get off to a direct start: In your first paragraph, explain simply why you are writing. Mention
the job title and company name, and also where you came across the job listing. While you
can also briefly mention why you are a strong candidate, this section should generally be
short and to-the-point.
 Offer something different than what's in your resume: It's rare to send an application letter
without also sending a resume. Your application letter, therefore, doesn't have to duplicate
your resume. Your language can be a bit more personal than in resume bullet points — you
can tell a narrative about your work experience and career.
 Make a good case. Your first goal with this letter is to move on to the next step: an
interview. Your overarching goal, of course, is to get a job offer. Use your application letter
to further both of these causes. Offer details about your experience and background that
show why you are a good candidate. How have other jobs prepared you for the position?
What would you bring to the position, and to the company? Use this space to emphasize
your strengths.
 Close with all the important details. Include a thank you at the end of your letter. You can
also share your contact information. If you'd like, mention how you will follow up.

How to Send an Email Application Letter

If you're sending your cover letter via email, list your name and the job title in the subject
line of the email message. Include your contact information in your email signature, but don't
list the employer's contact information. Skip the date, and start your email message with the
salutation. Here's an example of a formatted email cover letter.
  How to Send an Email Cover Letter
 How to Apply for Jobs via Email

How to Write a Job Application Letter

Here's how to write a letter of application for a job, including what should be included in the
letter, choosing a font size and style, and letter spacing and formatting.

Structure Of The Letter

 Contact Information (Sender)
Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address

Date

Example :

John Donaldson
8 Sue Circle
Smithtown, CA 08067
909-555-5555
[email protected]

 Employer Contact Information (if you have it)

Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Example :
George Gilhooley
XYZ Company
87 Delaware Road
Hatfield, CA 08065

 Salutation
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name, (leave out if you don't have a contact)
 Example :
Dear Mr. Gilhooley,

 Body of Application Letter

The body of your application letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for,
why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.

First Paragraph
The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention
the job you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a
mutual contact, if you have one.

Example :
I am writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union. As requested, I am
enclosing a completed job application, my certification, my resume, and three references.

Middle Paragraph(s)
The next section of your application letter should describe what you have to offer the
employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for.
Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.

Example :
The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting, and I believe that my strong technical
experience and education will make me a very competitive candidate for this position. The key
strengths that I possess for success in this position include:
 I have successfully designed, developed, and supported live use applications

 I strive for continued excellence

 I provide exceptional contributions to customer service for all customers

With a BS degree in Computer Programming, I have a full understanding of the full life cycle of a
software development project. I also have experience in learning and excelling at new technologies
as needed.
 Final Paragraph
Conclude your application letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the
position. Include information on how you will follow-up.

Example :
Please see my resume for additional information on my experience. I can be reached anytime via
email at [email protected] or my cell phone, 909-555-5555. Thank you for your
time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity.

 Complimentary Close
Sincerely,

Signature

Example :
Sincerely,

Signature (for hard copy letter)

John Donaldson

Tenses Of The Letter

I am writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union ( Present
Continuous Tense )

As requested, I am enclosing a completed job application, my certification, my resume, and three

references (Present Continuous Tense )

The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting, and I believe that my strong ( Simple
Past Tense )

technical experience and education will make me a very competitive candidate for this position (
Simple Present Tense )

The key strengths that I possess for success in this position include ( Simple Present Tense )
I have successfully designed, developed, and supported live use applications ( Present Perfect
Tense )
I strive for continued excellence ( Simple Past Tense )

I provide exceptional contributions to customer service for all customers ( Simple Present Tense )

With a BS degree in Computer Programming, I have a full understanding of the full life cycle of a
software development project ( Present Perfect Continuous Tense )

I also have experience in learning and excelling at new technologies as needed ( Present Perfect
Continuous Tense )

Please see my resume for additional information on my experience ( Simple Present Tense )

I can be reached anytime via email at [email protected] or my cell phone, 909-

555-5555 ( Present Perfect Tense )

I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity ( Present Continuous Tense
)