Newbies to the job market may think that cover letters are unnecessary. After all, the application form and CV will supply all the personal information that they need about you. Wrong. A job application letter or covering letter serves a standalone and important purpose.
So what is the point of a covering letter and more importantly, do you know how to write an application letter for a job? If not, then keep reading because this article is for you.
From using the correct tone to knowing what content to include in an application letter for a job, Superprof has the answers.
As an aside, did you know that the origin of a covering letter was to ‘cover’ sensitive information or keep it from prying eyes? Also, the fact that it would have been written by hand, even if the CV was typed, served as a way of judging the applicant's character.
Today an application letter for a job, that accompanies your CV is an important part of the process so if you do not know how to write an application letter for a job, you have come to the right place.
What’s in a Covering Letter?
Here is how a job application letter works:
A hiring manager considers the multitude of CVs and their cover letters. He or she takes one off the stack, peels back the covering letter and scans the CV.
The reason why it’s important to know how to write a good CV is that its presentation, structure and keywords and phrases are what will first catch the eye of the reader.
If there is nothing eye-catching about the format, structure and keywords, the CV lands up on another pile while the sifting process continues. When a turn of phrase or experience does slow down the person reading it, they will proceed with more focus and attention. Finally, they will read the cover letter from beginning to end to find out more about the applicant.
At this point, the application letter for a job holds much influence over whether or not the candidate qualifies for a phone interview.
After a neat and organised format, the first thing to understand in how to write an application letter for a job is the type of content to include.
It’s essential to use the letter as an opportunity to align yourself with the company advertising the job. So, after letting them know how you found out about the position, let them know that you have researched their company or brand and what things inspire you about it.
To do this with authenticity, it’ll be important for you to truly research that company and give honest reasons why you admire their mission.
How about this opening paragraph as an example?
“After seeing your advert for a Site Impact Officer in the online ‘Jobs for Graduates’ page, I discovered that ABC company operates within extremely strict environmental guidelines. As an Environmental Science student with a particular passion for mined earth rehabilitation, I was excited at the prospect of being able to put my technical knowledge into practice.”
Why is a paragraph like this important for knowing how to write an application letter for a job?
Firstly, you have disclosed the position you are interested in, shown them why you are aligned with the job and what it is about it that makes you successful. Furthermore, you are demonstrating that you have taken the time to find out more about the company and that you are not blindly shooting off CVs without care and thought.
Finally, you have provided a relevant link between the company and yourself.
This is why it is important to know how to write a cover letter. So as you no doubt prepare for the phone interview you will be granted, you can tick the question of why you are applying for this job off your list.
The Particulars for How to Write a Cover Letter
While the covering letter allows you to be slightly more personable than the analytical information required for a good CV, do not forget that it is fundamentally, still a formal business letter.
Business letters should follow a certain structure that is always left-margin aligned.
- The sender’s full name and contact details should appear in the top right-hand corner.
- The date
- The company’s contact information – name address and the words “For attention: Mr Blake”
- A subject line
- A formal greeting
- The main body of the letter
- A closing line
- A salutation
- Your full signature
The structure of a job application letter follows the same format as a business letter. The body of a cover letter should contain no more than three paragraphs. Do not waffle, stick to the point and be succinct.
To save time, you could consider creating your own cover letter template in a format that is able to be adapted and personalised for different positions.
In the first paragraph, outline how you found out about the position, however, instead of simply stating “I saw our ad in the Student Gazette,” which could get you sidelined to the bottom of the pile, give your future employer a warm-up on an idea as to why you are a good fit for the job.
In your second paragraph, describe the reasons why you are a good candidate and you could even present in bullet points which are very effective.
Your closing paragraph should be a summation of what you said in the first two but be careful not to use words or phrases that suggest you are been repetitive. For instance, don’t say “as I have said above”. Also, use a thesaurus if necessary. Not that this is the paragraph where you will also make your request for an interview.
Knowing how to write an application letter for a job is a good way to provide you with flexibility in showcasing your accomplishments, describing your passion for a position and why you have the attributes for it.
Read our dedicated article on how to apply for your first job.
Other Do’s and Don’ts for the Job Application Letter
So, do hiring managers actually read covering letters?
Some might say yes, while others say no, this leaves the answer somewhere in the middle and therefore it is certainly worth the effort to make sure you write them as best as you can.
In most cases, the process that has been described above – where the prospective employer first scans whether you meet the basic hiring criteria in terms of qualifications and skills, is followed by a scan of your covering letter to glean any supporting information about you.
Your application for a job will fall under intense scrutiny when you are shortlisted and the hiring body needs to literally compare you to a few other candidates.
This is when you need to stand out from other applicants by writing an excellent CV and covering letter.
In addition to carefully considered content, there are a few tips to help you write an effective covering letter.
Always proofread your work carefully. If possible, have another set of eyes read over your covering letter and your CV or any typos or sentences that could be better phrased.
Imagine making a mistake in your contact information details – how would your potential employer contact you?
Make sure that you have addressed your letter to the right person. If you are not sure, rather write “To Whom It May Concern” rather than address it to the digital marketing manager by mistake. The best option is to try and find the correct person’s name and address your letter accordingly.
Carefully consider your tone. Be confident, but not arrogant or flippant. Similarly, be formal without being flowery or haughty about it. Also, remember that a job application letter is never the place to demonstrate your wonderful humour in any way. Try to sound business-like and neutral, erring on the side of warmth.
Remember to request an interview in an assertive way. For example, you could say, I hope to discuss this further in person during an interview.
Finally, don’t forget to attach your CV too. That may sound like strange advice but you would be surprised to find out how often that can happen.
Next, discover how to write the ‘thank you’ letter to help grant you a second interview.
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
