HOW TO WRITE A PROFESSIONAL APPLICATION LETTER

Letter of Application Guidelines

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.

Here are guidelines to follow when writing a letter of application for employment.

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.