Communication for
Employment:The
Application letter
A.What is an Application Letter?
Your application letter is generally the first thing your prospective employers will see, and it
should motivate them to read your resume. It provides a positive impression since it contains
your claims that you have the qualifications they are looking for.
An application letter serves as a formal introduction of yourself to your prospective
employer. It goes with your resume, so you don’t have to give much information. It does,
however, have to make favorable impression so you can get an interview. This is achieved
through how the letter is written and presented.
B. Features of an Application Letter
1. Qualifications
In an application letter, you need to make clear why you’re interested in the
position or the organization, to indicate what skills you possess that matches
what the company is looking for or to stipulate why the person you’re writing
to should at least want to meet you.
2. Pleasing Tone
When writing application, you need to go beyond simply stating your
accomplishments. Through your words, you need to demonstrate that you will
be the kind of employee the organization wants. Presentation is also important
– your letter should be neat and error-free.
3. Format
Application letter typically follows a prescribed format,
which is a conventional businesslike format. The most
common is the block format shown in the examples. It
includes the writer’s address, the date, the recipient’s
name and address, a salutation, the message, a closing,
and a signature.
C. Guidelines for Writing an Applicant
Letter
1. Focus
Application letter is not personal and should not be chatty. Keep it focused: when
you’re applying for a position, include only information relevant to the position.
Don’t make your audience wade through irrelevant side issues.
2. Stay on topic
State the reason for the letter. Unlike essays, which develop a thesis over several
paragraphs, or emails, which announce their topic in a subject line, letters need to
explicitly introduce their reason for being written, usually in the first paragraph.
When you’re applying for something, say so in the first sentence: “I am writing to
apply for the FASIN Scholarship for students majoring in accountancy.”
. Think of your letter as an argument
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When you’re asking for a job, you’re making an ARGUMENT. You’re making a claim that you’re qualified for a
certain position and you need to support your claim with reasons and evidence. Franchesca Morales, for example,
cites his education and his work experience supply references who will support his application. And he offers to
4. Chose an appropriate Solution
If you know the person’s name and title, use it: “Dear Attorney Lim.” If you do you know the pros title, one good
solution is to address him or her by first and last name “Dear Jean Chavez.” If, as sometimes happens, you must write
to an unknown reader, use “Dear Sir or Madam.” Another options might be to omit the salutation completely in such
situations and instead use a subject line, for example: “Subject: Public Relations Internship Application,” Whenever
possible, though, write to a specific person; call the organization and ask whom to write to. Once you’ve had an
interview, write to your interviewer.
5. Proofread
Few writing situations demand greater perfection than professional letters especially application letters. Employers
receive dozens, sometimes hundreds, of applications, and often can’t look at them all. Typos, grammar errors, and
other forms of sloppiness prejudice readers against applicants: they’re likely to think that if this applicant can’t take
the time and care to PROOFREAD, how badly does he or she want this position? To compete, strive for perfection.
Adoption for specific company
Is the letter addressed to specific person (either the person specified in the ad or the person with
the power to create a job for you)?
• Does the letter show your knowledge of the company and the position?
Does the letter specify the position you are looking for?
Organization
• If you know the company is hiring, does the paragraph indicate that you are applying for the job
and list your major qualification(s)?
If, as far as you know, the company is not hiring, does the first paragraph catch the reader’s interest
and create a bridge to talking about yourself?
• Does the last paragraph ask for an interview?
Specific Supporting
• Do details show that you have the basic qualifications specified in the ad?
• Do details show that you can go beyond the basics to contribute to the company?
• Do details separate you from other applicants?
Style and Mechanics
• Is the writing smooth, tight, and forceful?
• Does the text avoid using I at the beginning of every paragraph?
• Does the text use you-attitude and positive emphasis?
• Is the letter free from typos and other errors?
Format and Visual Impact
• Does the letter use a standard letter format?
• Is the page visually attractive, with a good mix of paragraph lengths?
