WRITING THE PERFECT

job application letter

WRITINGYOUR
COVERLETTER
WRITING YOUR PRESENTATION
COV
ERLETTERWRIT
INGYOUR
OVERVIEW
COVERLETTER
WRITIN
GYOUR WRITING THE PERFECT
COVERLETTER job application letter
WRI
• What is a job application
TINGYOUR letter?
COVERLET • What is the purpose of job
TER application letters?
WRITINGYOUR • Business formatting
COVERLETTER • Paragraph by paragraph
WRITINGYOUR • Things to keep in mind
WHAT IS A job
application letter?
A COMPLEMENT TO YOUR RESUME

• job application letters are a narrative

complement to your resume.
• A brief one page document that helps expand
on the experiences you showcased in your
resume.
• Highlights your motivations in applying
for the position and why you want to work
with this specific organization.
• Showcases your personality and values.
PURPOSE OF A job
application letter
job application letters should highlight your
academic, professional, and personal qualifications
for the position to which you are applying.

It should not be a restatement of your resume.

Instead you should select certain experiences to
highlight to the employer. You might weave
experiences together, telling how one experience led
to another. You might tell a story from one or two
experiences that bring depth and detail not covered
in your resume.
PURPOSE OF A job
application letter
A compelling job application letter answers "Why you?" and "Why
them?"
- Why you: Focus their attention on your most relevant and
compelling qualifications. What value will you bring to the
organization? (Not what you want or what you can gain.)
- Why them: Be sure to include a sentence to a full paragraph on why
you want to work with this particular organization. Talk about them.
Be sure to match your tone to the organization, i.e. corporate
banking tends to be more formal than marketing or nursing. (Don’t
confuse formal with professional. All letters should be written with a
professional voice and focus. Do not use slang, abbreviations, or a
casual tone.)

job application letters that are just about you are dry and expected. To
3 WAYS TO MAKE
A CONNECTION
A) Share a story that shows you connect with their
brand or their culture
B) Tell them how you came to learn that they were
special amongst their competitors
C) Demonstrate why you value them and the work
they do
WHAT MAKES
UP A COVER
LETTER?
TRADITIONAL BUSINESS Your Name
Your Address
FORMATTING
Today’s Date

Their Name
Their Title
Their Organization
Their Address

Greeting,

Introduction Paragraph

Body Paragraph(s)

Closing Paragraph

Salutation,

Your Name
HEADER AND GREETING
PAWS T. CATAMOUNT
797 Western Lane
Cullowhee, NC 28723

OCTOBER 6TH, 2020

JANE SMITH
Internship Coordinator
Allegion Corporation
11819 N. Pennsylvania Street
Carmel, IN 46032

Dear Ms. Smith,

PARAGRAPH BY PARAGRAPH

OPENING ACADEMIC BODY CONCLUSION AND

PARAGRAPH INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH FORMAL CLOSING
(Used if you are
applying for something Connect your skills,
State the position to related to your major)
Reaffirm your
which you're characteristics, qualifications and
applying, where you experiences, and interest in the position
found it/heard about State the college you qualifications to the and company. Be sure to
it, name drop if you are attending, your position and company include your contact
have a direct degree, relevant as a whole. information. Could offer
connection, and classes you’ve to follow up with the
Highlights what
close with a ‘hook’. completed, and other employer. End the letter
interests you in working
relevant academic formally.
with this particular
information.
organization.
SIGNATURE
Salutation,

Your Name Typed

 THINGS TO REMEMER
TOPICS STYLE FONT

Why you? Should be narrative in Use same font as

Why them? style. Match tone of resume for
organization and consistency across
Highlight your always be professional. your documents
experiences to
showcase you as the CUSTOMIZE
LENGTH
best candidate and
emphasize your No longer than 1 page Tailor and customize
interest in their and around 3-5 your job application
organization. paragraphs. letter to each
position.
 CONCLUSION
WHY IT MATTERS
A narrative complement to your
resume and enhance your
qualifications to employers.
HAVE A GOAL IN MIND
Make sure to address the two main
questions of "Why me?" and "Why
them?"
KEY ELEMENTS
Adds depth to your resume and
always ties back to the position
for which you are applying.
BE SPECIFIC
Highlight specific examples of relevant
academic, professional, or personal
experiences.