An application letter, also known as a cover letter, can be difficult to write because you may not have met the recipient and do not know the exact tone to use. The best way to make a great impression with this letter is to be professional and honest.Applying for more than one job means you have a lot of writing to do. Application letter for any position templates can give you a professional start so you can add personal qualities to make you unique. The template below will hopefully inspire you to create wonderful content for your own application letter.
Application Letter for Any Position Template
Gloria Temple is applying for a position as a receptionist at a legal firm and needs to make a great first impression with her application letter. She has taken the time to research the firm she’s applying to so she knows the name of their hiring manager and a few key items about the company’s culture. She has also included references to important qualifications listed in the job posting.
Dear Mr. Harmond,
I am writing to apply for the current opening in your reception team at Marv & Marv Legal Associates. As a detail-oriented person, I know how to run an office smoothly and also have the personality needed to make clients who enter the building feel welcomed.
My children are both recent drivers and I know how important it is for anyone involved in a vehicle accident to have a good legal counsel on their side. After reviewing some of the case studies on your website, I knew this firm was one I would feel confident suggesting to my friends and family, making it an ideal place to work. My background in technical support and reception means I am knowledgeable of the Microsoft Office suite, can learn technical interfaces quickly, and work efficiently.
I appreciate the time you have spent to consider my application and am prepared for an interview at a time and date convenient to you. The goals of Marv & Marv Legal Associates are ones I look forward to assisting with in the capacity of front desk receptionist.
Sincerely,
Gloria Temple
How to Write an Application Letter for Any Position
An application letter has three goals: introduce yourself to the person in charge of hiring, demonstrate that you have researched the company and position you are applying for, and showcase your skills and qualifications as compared to the job posting. Some job openings receive many of these letters, so it is important that your letter stands out and is professional.
Start your letter by greeting the hiring manager by name. Do everything you can to find out this person’s name, even if it means calling the main office and asking. When people see their name written, it subconsciously draws them in and the readers become more likely to continue.
Your first paragraph should outline your intent in approximately two sentences. State the position you are applying for and briefly mention why you qualify for the job. This section should be brief but have enough information to urge the reader onward.
In the second paragraph, explain why you wish to work in this position or with this company. In the application letter for any position template above, Gloria mentions that she has read about various outcomes regarding legal cases for her desired employer. You should also include references to three qualifications from the job description.
Close your letter by requesting an interview and thanking the reviewer for his or her time. It is important in this section to combine cordiality and professionalism. Do not talk too long about what you love about the company or how much the opportunity means to you. Remember, the reader does not have limitless time. Use a strong closing and sign off with “Sincerely” instead of something less formal, such as “Yours Truly.”
What to Avoid in Your Application Letter for Any Position
It is a mistake to make your application too long by detailing everything in your resume. It’s also a mistake to make your letter too short, because it doesn’t leave room for you to express your qualifications or knowledge of the company. Strike a balance between too short and too long by using only three paragraphs and making the first and second only two or three sentences.
If the position you are applying for has a very long list of qualifications, choose the three you think are the most important or that you have the most knowledge of rather than discussing them all.
Similarly, if you have a very deep knowledge of the company going all the way back to its founding, try to stick with their mission statement or company culture. Gushing for too long about how great it would be to work with this company wastes the reader’s time and can sound insincere.
How to Follow Up After Sending Your Letter for Any Position
When a long period of time has passed since you sent your application letter, it may be appropriate to write a follow-up letter. In some cases, the position is taking a long time to fill and your application is still queued, or your initial letter was never found.
However, it is also possible the position is no longer open and you simply were not contacted. For that reason, your letter should not come across as pushy or demanding. A polite letter means you don’t burn any bridges for future employment opportunities. Ask if the manager received your application, include one or two of your qualifications, and re-attach your resume.
A short phone call that hits these three points is also an appropriate follow-up but leaves you unable to attach your resume. Use what you know about the company to decide which action is best.
Top 5 Application Letter for Any Position Writing Takeaways
1. Combine brevity and specificity
Keep your letter to one page and approximately three paragraphs. Being short doesn’t mean be general, so include specifics about yourself, the job, and the company to make the most out of a short letter.
2. Address the reader by name
Spend some time on the company website to find out who reads application letters. If there is no information there, call the office directly or send an email inquiry. Do whatever you can to find out the name of the hiring manager to make your opener more personal.
3. Do not recite your resume
A cover letter or application letter aims to get the reader to review your resume, so there’s nothing to learn if you’ve included it all in this document. Stick to three qualifications you have that are from the job posting.
4. Keep it professional
Use “Dear” to open your letter and “Sincerely” to close it. Other introductions and closings, like “Hey,” are informal and can make the hiring manager pass over your letter before reading another word.
5. Use a readable font
Just because Monotype Corsiva is your favorite font doesn’t mean it’s appropriate for an application letter. Save that kind of personal flair for after you get the job.
