19.4 Writing the Application Letter
Traditionally, the application letter or cover letter is a formal letter that accompanies your résumé when you apply for a position. Its purpose is to support your résumé, providing more specific details, and explaining in writing why you are a strong candidate for the specific position to which you are applying. It should not simply reiterate your résumé; it’s an opportunity for you to make a case for your candidacy in complete sentences and phrases, which gives the reader a better sense of your “voice.”
As always, it’s helpful to start by first thinking about the audience and purpose for the application letter. What information does your reader need to glean from your letter? At what point in the hiring process will they be reading it? As you draft the letter, consider what you would want to say if you were sitting across the desk from your reader. It should be written in a formal, professional tone, but you still want it to flow like natural speech; this will make it easier for your reader to absorb the information quickly.
What to Include
It can be helpful to think about writing the application letter in sections or “blocks.” This provides a basic structure for the letter. Once you have an understanding of this foundation, you can customize, update, and personalize the letter for different applications and employers.
Introductory Paragraph
Open the letter with a concise, functional, and personable introduction to you as a job candidate. This is your chance to establish the essential aspects of your qualifications and to set the themes and tone for the rest of the letter.
- Name the position you’re interested in (by exact name and number, if available)
- Clearly state that you are applying for the position
- Summarize your best qualification and how it’s relevant to the position
- Indicate you’ve enclosed your résumé for additional information
Optionally, you might also take the opportunity at the beginning of the letter to express your interest in working for this particular company and/or your passion for and interest in the field. This sets a nice tone and shows that you are engaged and enthusiastic. It is also an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge about the employer and what they do.
Education & Academics Paragraph
The purpose of this paragraph is to paint a detailed picture of your training and credentials and how this is relevant to the position. Your opportunity in this paragraph is to explain the activities and knowledge you have gained and/or are developing that most matter for this position and employer. Carefully consider what the employer will value most about your educational experiences. If you have a lot of project management experience or several key experiences that you want to highlight, this information may be written in multiple paragraphs. Describe how your academics/training have shaped your understanding of the field you are entering and significant skills you are developing, bu