How to Write Job Application Letters

With your resume, you need to write a job application letter or cover letter. The purpose of a cover letter is to point out your qualifications and preemptively answer any questions that might arise when your future employer is looking over your resume. You can highlight your most important accomplishments or explain why you have holes in your work history. Read on to discover how to write job application letters.

Step 1
Place your address either as a heading as on business stationery or at the top right side of the page, just as if you were writing a formal letter. Skip two lines, and put the date, lined up with the left margin. Finally, skip two to four lines, and type the address and name of the company you are applying to. When you are writing the heading, remember you want your cover letter to fit on one page. Think about this when you are spacing the letter and choosing the size of your font. It is always best to go with a simple font like Times New Roman.


Step 2

Write the position you are applying for and a strong statement about why you are the perfect candidate for this position in your first paragraph. Example: "I read with great interest your open position for human resources manager in Sunday's edition of The News-Gazette. My fifteen years of experience as a human resources manager at XYZ company and my strengths in communication and organization make me the perfect candidate for this position."

Step 3

Highlight the former positions or education that would most benefit the company you wish to work for in the body of the job application letter. This is where you sell yourself in one to two paragraphs. You do not need to write about every job you've ever had, just the ones that most pertain to the job opening. Make sure to tell specific responsibilities you had at each job, and mention any awards or honors you received. If you have no job experience, then write about your education, internship or college experience. Be honest in your letter, but sell yourself. This is not the time to say, "I took six years to graduate from college, but now I'm ready for my career." Instead, you could write, "During my college years, I participated in many extracurricular activities that prepared me for my career."

Step 4

Close your letter with a strong paragraph that briefly summarizes your strengths. In your last sentence, say thank you and sound confident. Example: "I appreciate your time in reviewing my application and resume, and I look forward to hearing from you soon."


Step 5

Type a closing, and skip four lines. Then type your full name. Once you print your letter, you sign your name between the closing and your typed name, and you have finished writing a job application letter.