What Is Job Application?
What Is Job Application?
What Is Job Application?
Job Application is a form or paper which indicates interest in a particular place of employment or position
within a company. Typically requests personal identification information, such as name, address and
phone number, as well as a history of job experience.
Before you begin writing your job application letter, do some groundwork. Consider what information
you want to include (keeping in mind that space is limited). Remember, this letter is making a case for
your candidacy for the position. But you can do better than just regurgitating your resume — instead;
highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and abilities.
To include the most convincing, relevant details in your letter, you'll need to know what the employer
wants. The biggest clues are within the job advertisement, so spend some time decoding the job ad.
Next, match your qualifications with the employer's wants and needs. Make a list of your relevant
experience and skills. For instance, if the job ad calls for a strong leader, think of examples of when
you've successfully led a team. Once you've jotted down some notes, and have a sense of what you want
to highlight in your letter, you're ready to get started writing.
Writing a job application letter is very different from a quick email to a friend or a thank-you note to a
relative. Hiring managers and potential interviewers have certain expectations when it comes to the
letter's presentation and appearance, from length (no more than a page) to font size and style to letter
spacing:
Format and Page Margins: A letter of application should be single-spaced with a space between each
paragraph. Use about 1" margins and align your text to the left, which is the standard alignment for most
documents.
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Font: Use a traditional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The font size should be between
10 and 12 points.
There are also set rules for the sections included in the letter, from salutation to sign-off, and how the
letter is organized. Here's a quick lowdown on the main sections included in a job application letter:
Heading: A letter of application should begin with both your and the employer's contact information
(name, address, phone number, email) followed by the date. If this is an email rather than an actual letter,
include your contact information at the end of the letter, after your signature.
Salutation: This is your polite greeting. The most common salutation is "Dear Mr. /Ms." followed by the
person's last name. Find out more about appropriate cover letter salutations, including what to do if you
don't know the person's name, or are unsure of a contact's gender.
In the first paragraph, you'll want to mention the job you are applying for and where you saw the job
listing.
The next paragraph(s) are the most important part of your letter. Remember how you gathered all that
information about what employers was seeking, and how you could meet their needs? This is where you'll
share those relevant details on your experience and accomplishments.
The third and last part of the body of the letter will be your thank you to the employer; you can also offer
follow-up information.
Complimentary Close: Sign off your email with a polite close, such as "Best" or "Sincerely," followed
by your name.
Signature: End with your signature, handwritten, followed by your typed name. If this is an email,
simply include your typed name, followed by your contact information.
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they might ask you to send the letter as an email attachment, or type it directly into their online
application system).
Use business letter format. Use a formal business letter format when writing your letter. Include your
contact information at the top, the date, and the employer’s contact information. Be sure to provide a
salutation at the beginning, and your signature at the end.
Sell yourself. Throughout the letter, focus on how you would benefit the company. Provide specific
examples of times when you demonstrated skills or abilities that would be useful for the job, especially
those listed in the job posting or description. If possible, include examples of times when you added value
to a company. Numerical values offer concrete evidence of your skills and accomplishments.
Use keywords. Reread the job listing, circling any keywords (such as skills or abilities that are
emphasized in the listing). Try to include some of those words in your cover letter. This will help the
employer see that you are a strong fit for the job.
Keep it brief. Keep your letter under a page long, with no more than about four paragraphs. An employer
is more likely to read a concise letter.
Edit. Employers are likely to overlook an application with a lot of errors. Therefore, read through your
cover letter, and if possible ask a friend or career counselor to review the letter. Proofread for any
grammar or spelling errors.