Writing a Letter of ApplicationFind a job opening in the help wanted section of the newspaper. Type a Letter of Application to
this company using your own personal information and experience. All information must be real
and truthful. Cut out and attach the help wanted ad you selected to your Letter of Application.
1. Begin with your contact information at the top so they can replay to you. This
should include your whole address and phone number(s).
2. Write the name of the employer to whom you are applying for the job. Include the
address.
3. Write the date in the letter.
4. Write the name of the person to whom you are writing.
5. Next, state the position to which you are applying so that the employer knows for
certain.
6. Begin the letter by telling the employer why you want the job and why the job
would be suitable for you.
7. In the next paragraph, you can summarize your strengths and any particular
qualifications or experience that would be considered relevant to the post.
8. The next paragraph should include the most relevant aspects of your career.
9. Finally, explain how you think you can contribute to the company and help it
become successful.
10. If they are going to contact you, at the bottom of the letter but before your closing
and signature, write I look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience.
11. End appropriately. Use Yours sincerely or Yours faithfully.
12. Sign and write your name underneath.
Template Letter of Application
[Name of Company Applying To]
Attn: [Full Name of Hiring Manager]
[Street Address]
[City/State/Zip]
[Your Full Name]
[Street Address]
[City/State/Zip]
Phone: [Your Phone Number]
Email: [Your Email Address]
[Month/Day/Year]
Dear. Mr./Mrs./Ms. [Last Name of Hiring Manager] (or) To whom it may concern,
I am writing to you to express my interest in the [Title of Position Applying For] position
currently available at [Company Name]. I believe that I am an excellent fit for this position,
[state your reason for being a good fit for the position.]
In the job description for the position that Acme Investments posted, there were some
requirements that stood out to me.
[List job requirements that you can relate to your background experience.]
[Add a paragraph or two to briefly describe your background and how it relates to the job
requirements for the position to which you are applying.]
I believe that after you have reviewed my application and resume you will see that I possess an
excellent skill set which matches your requirements perfectly. If you have any further questions
or require additional documentation, please feel free to contact me. Thank you for your time and
consideration.
Respectfully,
[Your Signature]
[Your Full Name]
When sending a company your resume for a job or internship, always include a letter of
application. Your application letter should contain information on the position you are applying
for and your qualifications for the job. It should be properly organized, formatted and spaced so
it's readable and makes the best impression on the hiring manager.
Letter of Application Guidelines
Length: A letter of application should be no more than one page long.
Format: 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.
Font: Use a traditional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The font size should be
between 10 and 12 points.
How to Organize a Letter of Application
Header: A letter of application should begin with both you 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: Begin your letter with "Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name." If you do not know the
employer's last name, simply write, "Dear Hiring Manager."
Introduction: Begin by stating what job you are applying for. Explain where you heard about
the job, particularly if you heard about it from a contact associated with the company.
Briefly mention how your skills and experience match the company and/or position; this will
give the employer a preview of the rest of your letter.
Body: In a paragraph or two, explain why you are interested in the job and why you make an
excellent candidate for the position. Mention specific qualifications listed in the job posting, and
explain how you meet those qualifications. Do not simply restate your resume, but provide
specific examples that demonstrate your abilities. You can either write about these specific
examples in complete sentences or in a bulleted format.
Closing: Restate how your skills make you a strong fit for the company and/or position. State
that you would like to interview and/or discuss employment opportunities. Explain what you will
do to follow up, and when you will do it. Thank the employer for his/her consideration.
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.
John Donaldson
8 Sue Circle
Smithtown, CA 08067
909-555-5555
john.donaldson@emailexample.com
Date
George Gilhooley
XYZ Company
87 Delaware Road
Hatfield, CA 08065
Dear Mr. Gilhooley,
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.
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.
Please see my resume for additional information on my experience.
I can be reached anytime via email at john.donaldson@emailexample.com 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.
Sincerely,
Signature (for hard copy letter)
John Donaldson