An application letter for a job is one of the most important letter that you will ever have to write. At this point I want share with you the pattern of a winning application letter; its style, presentation and content could have a strong bearing on the decision of any potential employer. A neatly written, well structured letter could make a difference between getting an interview or not.
The Anatomy
1. Your Address - The Top Right of the Page
The Top right of your application letter page should carry information about your contact address. This should be well written and self explanatory in case you will be contacted. Always put your phone number after the date in this section.
2. The Recipient Address - Left Align after your address
This area contains the address of the potential employer or the establishment that you are applying for.
3. Salutation
This of course should be very brief and as formal as possible. Such as: [Dear Sir,] Note the comma after Sir
4. Title
This is a very sensitive area of your application. It contains the post you are applying for. You should of course be very brief and concise. Remember to mention specifically the post you are applying for. It should not be vague at all and avoid using ambiguous words.
E.g.: Application for the Post of Confidential Secretary
5. The Body
Your First Paragraph
State very concisely why you are applying for the job in the very first paragraph of your application letter, express your interest for the job and where you saw the advert.
Your Second Paragraph
This is the meat of your application. Begin by studying the advert, the job description and any other background information on the establishment and any additional points which you have received about the job description.
Note the style of the advertisement. Is it formal? Mentally adjust the way you are going to phrase you application to match the advert, carefully mirror the style adopted by the recruiter and do not go too far with this after all. Highlight your skills and competencies, knowledge, experience, and accomplishments and describe how you meet the requirement of the position.
Your Third Paragraph
This paragraph simply round off the application letter. Draw the reviewer's attention to your attached Resume say you are looking forward to hearing from the company.
6. Greeting and Signing Off
This is also very important as far as application winning application letter is concern. Note that this should match the formal or personal approach you adopted at the start of you application letter.
e.g. Dear Sir/Madam...........................Yours faithfully
Dear Mrs. Crooks.........................Yours sincerely
These are the only two acceptable methods you should use to sign off . Anything else is unsuitable. Make sure you print or write your name under your signature for the sake of clarity and add a title to your name if you have a name which is uncommon or likely to cause confusion in gender or status or cadre.
My dream is that you get the job of your dream. Thank you for reading
