APLICATION
LETTER
DEFINITION
An application letter is merely another name for a cover letter, the official
business letter often included with a job application and/or resume and sent
to a prospective employer.
Application letter is a part of the important correspondence between
applicant and organization, firm or company, institution or various boards
and committees that publish a vacancy. It is a paper frequently used in all
levels of government, commerce, industry, and academia.
A letter of application, or application letter, is a personal letter that is
typically used to apply for a job. Although in a more general
sense, application letters can be used when applying for virtually anything;
from a club membership to anapplication for entry into a school.
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What’s the Purpose
of a application Letter?
The purpose of a application
letter is to give a recruiter or
hiring manager a more detailed
view of your accomplishments
and a sense of what you’ll bring
to the table if you are hired. For
this reason, learning how to
write a application letter is a
critical skill for all jobseekers.
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LANGUAGE FEATURES
Characteristics
Application letters use very formal language.
They tend to use special expressions (e.g. Dear Sir,
Sincerely, Best regards, etc)
Application letters sound confident in describing the
competency of the applicant, but should be careful of
sounding arrogant.
The text includes the experiences, background, and motives
of the applicant.
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Features
Simple past tenses used to describe experience and achievements
Ex. I’ve studied at, I’ve worked for, I’ve served as, etc.
Simple present tenses that describe character traits, thoughts and other things
Ex. I believe that I am the ideal candidate for your team, I am a hard
worker,
Future tenses that show possibilities
Ex. I will be a valuable asset, I am going to bring massive improvements to
the team.
Verbs that describe feelings and emotions
Ex. I enjoy being challenged, I am very passionate about working
Adjectives ussualy used to describe capabilities
Ex. Skilled, Excellent, Effective, etc.
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HOW TO WRITE
APPLICATION LETTER
Adding your adress State where you found
Include the company’s information the position to which you
are applying
Address your letter to the person
whom you are writing Write your identity
Write an engaging first paragraph Explain why hiring you
with a strong declarative will benefit the employer
statement that you are excited to
be applying for (the position) at
(company)
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Briefly summarize your strength,
qualifications, and experiences
Briefly summarize why you are
the perfect candidate for the job
Invite the hiring manager to
contact you
Sign off
Write your name underneath
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Steps for Writing
Application Letter
1. Understand the format, and fill in the content according to that
form.
2. Make a list of all the information to go in the letter.
3. Be brief, so the letter can fit onto a single page. Set out the
text with wide margins. Position your address, the employer’s
address, and the subject of the letter in the correct spaces. The
subject must be centered at the top.
4. Start by stating the reason for the letter.
5. Contain the important parts in three paragraphs, to ensure the
main points are clear,.
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6. Most job application letters have no letterhead, because they originate from
an individual. So the message must be placed in the middle, underneath the
applicant’s address on the right, between a greeting and a salutation.
7. The greeting starts, “Dear [Name]”. Always address the employer by their
formal name. It is “Dear Mr. Jones,” not “Dear Larry.”
8. The salutation must be formal, such as “Yours faithfully,” or “Yours
sincerely.”
9. Type your full name in upper case below your legal signature.
10. Job application letters are customarily formatted in block style, without
indents, with all lines aligned left. Aligning all paragraphs to the left is more
legible than full justification.
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Key Points to Consider
It is not wise to use slang, technical jargon, abbreviations, contractions,
or unexplained acronyms in a job application. Neither is it appropriate to
use a conversational tone. Job application letters are serious documents,
often used as material evidence or commercial certification.
An application letter has its own appropriate tone and attitude: assertive
but unassuming, confident but not arrogant or conceited. It is improper to
write overly long sentences full of pretensions or self-satisfaction.
Personal items, such as family news or casual felicitations, should be
omitted from a good job application letter.
Always state the reason for application, the job in question, where you
found the announcement, and why you think you are the person most
suitable to take up the position.
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COMMON MISTAKES
Omitting to request an interview. Do this in the last paragraph and be firm
and clear. Being demanding or rude is also a mistake.
Long-winded paragraphs.
Text that does not match the occasion and the establishment you approach.
Avoid colloquialisms and slang. Remember that a well-mannered message
is always most effective.
The most frequent mistake made in application letters is to flout convention
and place paragraphs, addresses, or salutations in the wrong place.
Incorrectly spaced paragraphs, or a job application letter with more than
two paper folds.
Insufficient clarity about the position for which you are applying. In addition,
people often omit to state their qualification for it, or ask to speak personally
with the person in charge.
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PARTS OF APPLICATION LETTER
1. Date line 5. Body paragraph
2. Inside address - Educational background
3. Salutation/greeting - Experience
4. Opening paragraph - Skills
- Job position 6. Closing paragraph
- Information source 7. Closing greeting
- Attached - Complimentary
files/documents - Sender’s signature and
name
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Jakarta, February 4th, 2016
General Television and Radio. Inc.
Jln. Jendral Sudirman No 342
JAKARTA 14700
Dear Sir,
I am writing this letter in response to your advertisement regarding Job Vacancy as General Manager published at
Jakarta Post (January 28, 2016). I am interested in applying for that position. Please find attached files of my CV and
other required documents.
I graduated from Esa Unggul majoring in Management in 2013 and has experience in working for two years. I am
capable of operating Word Processor, Excel, PowerPoint, MYOB, ZAHIR and a little bit about PhotoShop. I am
very flexible with anyone besides me. I am responsible for my job, reliable, independent, discipline, as well
as humorous. I have proved that my work as an employee was excellent.
I hope that you will interview me to negotiate and investigate my skills and expertise as soon as possible.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely yours,
Romana Maya, S.M. 15
