How to Write a Letter of Application (With Examples)

The purpose of a letter of application is to tell the story behind your resume and why you’re applying.

An effective letter of application:

• Expands on the skills, achievements, and professional experiences you want to highlight
• Describes what you can offer the company
• Explains your personal connection to someone working in the company (when applicable)

Letter of application example

Here’s an example of a front end developer letter of application:

This is an effective letter of application because the applicant shows:

• Personal connection to the company — by mentioning their positive experience completing the company’s online courses the applicant demonstrates that they understand the organization and value its mission.
• Specific and measurable achievements — by citing specific examples of their achievements, the candidate demonstrates their skills and the impact of their work.
• Proactive and growth-oriented attitude — details like self-teaching the MERN stack, mentoring new programmers, and publishing 30+ coding articles convey a commitment to professional growth.

How to write a cover letter

Dread writing cover letters? Read our guide to learn how to write a great cover letter that convinces hiring managers you’re the ideal person for the job.

Read Our Guide

Before you start writing your letter of application, research the company and read the job posting carefully so you know what the employer is looking for in an applicant.

Then, follow these steps to write a letter of application that lands interviews:

1. Put your contact information in your letter of application header

Your letter of application’s header should match your resume header and include your:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• City, State (optional)
• LinkedIn profile (optional)
• Portfolio or website (optional)

2. Address the hiring manager

The next part of your letter of application includes the date, the contact person’s information, and a salutation (also called a greeting).

The date should be formatted as [Month] [Day], [Year], for instance, January 16, 20XX.
If you are sending the letter of application as an email attachment you do not need the recipient’s contact information.

If you send it by post, be sure to include:

• The hiring manager’s name
• Company address
• Phone number
• Email address

In your job application letter’s salutation, you should address the hiring manager by name to show that you’ve taken the time to tailor your letter to the company.

Use the format: Dear Mr./Ms./Mx. [Last Name]. If you can’t find the name, use a salutation like “Dear Hiring Manager” to avoid using the generic “To Whom It May Concern”.

3. Grab the hiring manager’s attention with your introduction

In a recent Resume Genius survey, 41% of hiring managers said that the introduction of an application letter leaves the biggest impression on them compared to other sections. Customize your introduction by:

• Introducing yourself
• Mentioning how you heard about the position
• Explaining why you’re applying to this particular company

Here’s an example of the first paragraph of a graphic designer letter of application:

4. Quantify your industry-specific skills in body paragraphs

In the body of your letter of application, focus on how your skills, experience, and achievements can help the company succeed. Highlight a mix of technical skills and interpersonal skills that align with the job description.

Your resume should show off your hard skills, so use your job application letter to emphasize your soft skills and any achievements that don’t fit on a resume.

Quantify details like the budgets you managed, the people you served, or the projects you completed. Providing clear evidence of your qualifications makes your application more memorable.

Here’s how a project manager’s letter of application displays quantified skills in body paragraphs

5. Use action verbs to highlight your capabilities

A letter of application is one page long or 250-400 words, so make every word count by using action verbs.

Instead of words like “tasked with,” “responsible for,” and “participated in,” use verbs like “spearheaded,” “managed,” and “executed.”

Here’s an excerpt from a UX designer’s letter of application with action verbs marked in bold:

6. Close with a call to action

End your application letter by inviting the hiring manager to contact you for an interview. Include your phone number and email address in your closing paragraph to make it easier for them to reach out to you immediately.

Finally, include an appropriate letter of application sign-off such as “Sincerely” or “Best Regards,” followed by your name.

7. Format your letter of application properly

A letter of application uses business letter formatting. Here are four tips for formatting an application letter so it stands out to employers:

Choose a template that matches your resume

We have a wide range of application letter templates for you to choose from. If you work in a more formal field such as law, nursing, or finance, use a simple letter of application template. Or, if you work in a creative industry like design or film, try one of our modern templates.

Choose an appropriate font and font size

Pick a professional letter of application font like:

• Times New Roman
• Arial
• Verdana
• Georgia

The font size for your application letter should be between 10.5 and 12.

Set 1″ margins

Properly sized margins make your letter of application easy to read.

The standard size for application letter margins is 1″ (this is also the default on Microsoft Word). However, you can set your margins to between ½” and 1½” to fit your letter on the page.

Save your file as a PDF

Always save your job application letter as a PDF file to keep your formatting intact.

Save your letter under a professional file name, such as “First-Name-Last-Name-Application-Letter.pdf”.

Frequently asked questions about application letters

Want more information on how to write a job application letter? Below we provide answers to four common questions related to application letter writing:

1. Is a letter of application the same as a cover letter?

Yes, a letter of application for a job is the same as a cover letter. The terms are used interchangeably to refer to a letter sent to give a potential employer more information about your qualifications.

However, application letters (or letters of application) for academic programs and scholarships differ from cover letters. Compared to a cover letter, an application letter for academic purposes is:

• Tailored to the academic program or scholarship’s goals, rather than a specific job
• Often longer (1–2 pages)
• Sent with other application materials (e.g., a transcript, resume for college, personal statement)

2. What should I avoid writing in a letter of application?

Avoid these common mistakes in your letter of application:

• Addressing the company incorrectly (such as sending a letter of application you wrote for a different job)
• Lying about your qualifications
• Speaking negatively about previous jobs or employers
• Including personal information not relevant to the job
• Typos or grammar mistakes

3. How do I write a job application letter that stands out?

To write a job application letter that stands out, explain how your qualifications match the requirements in the job posting. Show that you satisfy all of the requirements for the job and include evidence, such as numbers or quotes from previous employers or coworkers.

Other ways to help your application stand out include:

• Using skills-based keywords from the job ad
• Mentioning a particularly impressive achievement
• Striking the right tone (e.g., showing your humor and personality while still being professional)
• Using a clean and engaging application letter template

4. Can I write a job application letter in the body of an email?

Yes, you can write your job application as the body of an email.

Follow these email-specific steps:

• Write your name and the exact job title you’re applying for in the subject line
• Don’t include the date or the hiring manager’s contact information
• Begin the email by addressing the hiring manager using “Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],”
• List your contact information below your email signature