Have you ever written an application letter for a job?

Many job seekers don’t always see the reason why they should write an application letter when they are applying for a job because they feel they can just send their CVs.

Your CV indeed contains all the necessary information that the recruiter needs to know about you, but sometimes your CV alone may not be able to do the job of helping you land the job of your dreams.

Your CV may do a great job of showing that you have the skills and education required to excel in a particular position, but it may not be great at telling your prospective employer that you are the best person for the job.

This is what an application letter does for you. An application letter expresses your interest in a job and shows the employer why you are the best person for the position. Writing an application letter is one of the hidden job search hacks that help you apply for fewer jobs, but land more interviews.

If you are tired of getting rejected every time you apply for a job vacancy, then you should consider writing an application letter that will help you express your sincere interest in the job of your dreams. In this article, we will be looking at:

• What is an application letter
• Importance of an application letter
• Difference between an application letter and a cover letter
• How to write an application letter
• Application letter examples


How to Write an Application Letter

1. Write an Outline
2. Write your first draft
3. Salutation
4. Use a friendly tone
5. Make it concise
6. Tailor the job application letter to the job specification and company requirement
7. Use typed and not handwritten documents
8. Use quality paper
9. Proof read
10. Write a mind blowing ending


What is a Job Application Letter?

An application letter has a broad meaning because it covers a lot of aspects. We write an application letter for different purposes. Many people see an application letter as a cover letter, but that will be limiting the meaning to just a letter accompanying another document (CV).


Well in the context of a job, an application letter is a formal document that is sent to a prospective employer to express your interest in a position. An application letter is usually sent alone and not attached alongside another document.

Most times, an application letter is not sent after you must have seen an advertised position but sent whether or not a vacancy was advertised. The application letter serves a purpose that is similar to that of the CV.

When You Should Write an Application Letter

Yes, it is true that you should write an application letter when you are interested in a job, but that is not all you consider before you decide to write an application letter.

When you see a job advert that you are interested in, you send your CV and cover letter, right? But this does not quite work for application letters. Employers will not replace the CV and cover letter with an application letter.

The approach of an application letter is different from the CV and the cover letter. You should write an application letter when the employer does not solicit your interest in the position. This simply means when there is no job advertisement or posting.

For example, if you are searching for a job and you have a list of top companies that you would love to work for, you don’t necessarily have to wait for a job posting to declare your interest in that particular job. You can simply email an application to different companies.

This is a way for you to extensively and formally introduce yourself to the prospective employer of the companies that you would love to work for.

Why You Should Write an Application Letter for a Job

Just like we have discussed earlier, there are many reasons why people write application letters. If you are actively searching for a job, then this is why you should consider writing an application letter:
• It serves as a formal introduction between you and your prospective employer.
• It can help you access hidden jobs.
• It can help you to be a step ahead of other job seekers.
• It puts you in a less competitive circle in comparison with what happens when jobs are advertised with thousands of applicants showing interest.
• It can help you boycott the process of applying for a job online, writing a resume and cover letter because most times application letters stand alone.

Difference between a job Application Letter and a Cover Letter
Many people use the term application letter and cover letter interchangeably because they think that they mean the same thing. Even though the application letter and the cover letter perform almost the same function, they are different.

An application letter is intended to stand alone, while a cover letter is usually accompanied by a CV or resume.

A cover letter will contain a brief introduction that consists of the three to four sentences about the job seekers' experience, education, accomplishment and why the job seeker feels he is the best candidate for the job. On the other hand, an application letter may have a more extensive introduction because it is meant to stand alone just like the CV.

An application letter often can substitute for a resume and, therefore, requires that the job seeker include specific information about her work history and professional competencies. A cover letter, on the other hand, should not contain too much information about the job seekers because it is merely an introduction to the resume.

A cover letter is like an elevator pitch. It is intended to capture the reader's attention enough to make the recruiter or hiring manager want to review the CV.

A cover letter is usually used by a job seeker to show interest in a job vacancy after which the job seeker will attach a detailed document (which is usually a CV). An application letter is mostly used by a job seeker to show interest in an unsolicited job.


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