What is an Application letter?

• A job application letter or a cover letter is a type of business correspondence which states your
intention to work on a particular organization.

• It should be enclosed every time you send your resume.

• A cover letter is a response to a job advertisement, an unsolicited inquiry to a prospective

employer as part of your direct mail strategy or a letter to a recruitment agency.

Tips in writing a persuasive & interesting Application letter

CONTENT

• The application letter must not simply repeat the contents of your academic records. Emphasize
concrete examples.

• Address the letter to a specific person. If you don't know the specific addressee call the
university and ask.

• Market yourself by presenting an academic qualification, extracurricular activities and

community engagements. Tell the university that you have a unique special skills to offer and
how these skills are relevant to the university.

• Do not begin with an awkward statement. "Let me tell you something about myself..," ," My
name is..".

• Highlight two or three of your significant accomplishments or abilities. Avoid superfluous

information.

• Avoid fancy statements. Be realistic and provide specific reasons why you believe the university
is perfect for you.

• Be factual, never misinterpret yourself by overstating your skills and experiences. In short, do
not exaggerate.

• Minimize opinions about yourself. If you claim one, be sure to support it with specific and
factual evidence.

• Do not beg for admission.

• As you write, imagine you are writing a script for your interview.

• Read everything there is about your Target College or university. Be sure to match you letter to
the mission of the university.

• Focus on your strength and don’t or avoid mentioning about your weaknesses.

LANGUAGE

• Use the active voice and verbs that denotes action.

 • Be sure to have correct grammar, spelling, vocabulary and usage. Avoid using jargons clichés
and verbosity.

• Be direct to the point as not to lose the interest of your reader.

FORMAT AND MECHANICS

• Use a letter sized paper with a 1 to 1.5 inch margin on all sides. Limit the letter on one to two
pages.

• Do not forget to put your signature above your name.

• Use a letter head include your full name, address, phone number, and email address.

• Use business letter format.

• Do not cram the text on the upper half or lower half of the page. Be sure to have appropriate
page fill; avoid making your paper look crammed and dense.

• Use a font size of at least 10 points and a maximum of 12.

PARTS Of a cover letter

Professional Style

Application letters are usually, and should always, be in an officer letter style, like block style. These
letters should be formatted properly and checked for spelling and grammatical errors.

Introduction

Although many application letters open with a simple "Sir or Madam:” the more successful application
letters are addressed personally to the hiring manager (which often takes some research on the part of
the job applicant).

Body

The body of a good application letter, usually 3 to 4 paragraphs, explains why the applicant is a good fit
for the job, explains relevant experience, and shows how that experience would be useful if selected for
the career opportunity.

Attachments

Application letter is rarely sent to a prospective employer alone. It is usually accompanied by a resume,
salary history, list of references, and/or other documentation of achievements.

Length

Application letters are generally no more than one page in length. Employers are unimpressed by
application letters of half a page or less, though; filling most of one page is the safest way to complete
an application letter
Tips in Preparing a Cover Letter

1. Never begin your letter with a bland and generic phrase such as, "Enclosed is my resumè for..." To
be more creative, you may use the following strategies:

a. Begim with a question that stimulates the readers interest.

b. Lead with a name of someone you both know (eg. When Dr. Gilda Naumer Mentioned your name
in a conference…) c. start out with a quote that applies to the type of business of the employer. .
Explain how you learned about the job opening you are applying for. Remember that although
readers, especially employers. Want attention-getters, you do not have to resort to a shallow and
contrived pitch. It might sound fake, and this alone might harm your chances of being hired.

2. A cover letter must not simply repeat the content of your resume. Emphasize concrete examples.

3. Address the letter to a specific person. If you do not know the specific addressee, call the company
and ask.

4. be specific with the position you are applying for. Do not use general vacancies.

5. Avoid superfluous information. Do not begin with “Let me tell you something about myself. My
name is …..)” Moreover, do not include hard factual information.

6. Focus on what you can do for the company. Remember that they are looking for their own
benefit.

7. Avoid mentioning opinion about yourself. When you claim one, be sure to support it with specific
and factual evidences

8. Highlight two or three of your most significant accomplishments or abilities.

9. Use the active voice to indicate a dynamic tone, as well as powerful verbs that denotes action.

10. Be sure to have a correct grammar, vocabulary, and usage. Avoid jargon, clichés and verbosity.
Any typographical and grammatical errors may cause the readers to doubt your competence.

11. Be direct to the point to keep the attention of your reader.

12. Be factual. Never misrepresent yourself by overstating your experiences and skills. In short, do
not exaggerate.

13. Do not beg for the job; that is, do not write sentences such as, “please call today! I’ll be waiting
by the phone. I am desperately eager to start.”

14. As you write, imagine that you are writing a script for your interview. Translate into words how
you could break the ice at the beginning of the interview, how can you convey a positive personality
while discussing the things you want to talk about, and how will you express what you hope to get
from interview.

15. Match your letter to the job description and job requirements. This means that each letter could
should be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.
 Format and Mechanics

1. Use letter-sized bond paper; limit the paper to one to two pages.

2. Always sign the letter

3. Use letter head which includes your full name, address, phone number, and email address.

4. Use a business letter format (block. Full block, semi-block, or simplified).

5. Use 1- to 1.5 inch margin on all sides.

6. Do not cram the text at the upper half or lower half of the page. Be sure to have appropriate page
fill

7. Use white or off-white paper.

8. Use a font size of at least 10 points and maximum of 12.

*****QUIZ*****
I. TRUE OR FALSE
1. Use letter-sized bond paper; limit the paper to one to two pages.
2. Do not sign the letter.
3. Use letter head which includes your full name, address, phone number, and email address.
4. Don’t Use a business letter format (block. Full block, semi-block, or simplified).
5. Use 1- to 1.5 inch margin on all sides.
6. Cram the text at the upper half or lower half of the page. Be sure to have appropriate page fill.
7. Use white or off-white paper.
8. NEVER Use a font size of at least 10 points and maximum of 12.
9. Highlight two or three of your significant accomplishments or abilities. Avoid superfluous informations.
10. the application letter must repeat the contents of your academic records. Emphasize concrete examples.
11. Market yourself by presenting an academic qualification, extracurricular activities and community
engagements. Tell the university that you have a unique special skills to offer and how these skills are relevant to
the university.
12. Do not address the letter to a specific person. If you don't know the specific addressee call the university and
ask.
13. Be factual, never misinterpret yourself by overstating your skills and experiences. In short, do not exaggerate.
14. Begin with an awkward statement. "Let me tell you something about myself..," ," My name is..".
15. Highlight two or three of your significant accomplishments or abilities. Avoid superfluous informations.
16. Start with fancy statements. Be realistic and provide specific reasons why you believe the university is perfect
for you.
17. As you write, imagine you are writing a script for your interview.
18. Beg for admission.
19. Minimize opinions about yourself. If you claim one, be sure to support it with specific and factual evidence.
20. Focus on your strength and talk about your weaknesses.

II. ENUMERATION
1-5. parts of a cover letter