a application letter meaning

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How to Write a Job Application Letter (With Examples)

What Is a Job Application Letter?

Tips for writing a job application letter, how to get started.

• Writing Guidelines
• What to Include in Each Section

Simple Formatting Using a Template

Tips for writing an effective letter, sample job application letter, sending an email application, review more letter examples.

Do you need to write a letter to apply for a job? Most of the time, the answer is yes. Even when employers don’t require a job application letter , writing one will help you highlight your skills and achievements and get the hiring manager’s attention. The only time not to send one is when the job listing says not to do so. It can help, and it definitely won't hurt to include an application letter with your resume.

A job application letter, also known as a cover letter , should be sent or uploaded with your resume when applying for jobs. While your resume offers a history of your work experience and an outline of your skills and accomplishments, the job application letter you send to an employer explains why you are qualified for the position and should be selected for an interview.

Writing this letter can seem like a challenging task. However, if you take it one step at a time, you'll soon be an expert at writing application letters to send with your resume.

Melissa Ling / The Balance

Before you begin writing your job application letter, do some groundwork. Consider what information you want to include, and keep in mind that space is limited.

Remember, this letter is making a case for your candidacy for the position. But you should do more than just regurgitate your resume. Instead, highlight your most relevant skills, experiences, and abilities.

Analyze the Job Posting

To include the most convincing, relevant details in your letter, you'll need to know what the employer wants.

The biggest clues are within the job advertisement, so spend some time decoding the job listing . Next, match your qualifications with the employer's wants and needs.

Include Your Most Relevant Qualifications

Make a list of your relevant experience and skills. For instance, if the job ad calls for a strong leader, think of examples of when you've successfully led a team. Once you've jotted down some notes and have a sense of what you want to highlight in your letter, you're ready to start writing.

Writing Guidelines for Job Application Letters

Writing a job application letter is very different from a quick email to a friend or a thank-you note to a relative. Hiring managers and potential interviewers have certain expectations when it comes to the letter's presentation and appearance, from length (no more than a page) and font size to style and letter spacing . Keep these general guidelines in mind, but always stick to any explicit instructions in the job listing or application portal.

Length: A letter of application should be no more than one page long. Three to four paragraphs are typical.

Format and Page Margins: A letter of application should be single-spaced with a space between each paragraph. Use 1-inch margins and align your text to the left, which is the standard alignment for most documents.

Font: Use a traditional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The font size should be between 10 and 12 points.

What to Include in Each Section of the Letter

There are also set rules for the sections included in the letter, from salutation to sign-off, and how the letter is organized. Here's a quick overview of the main sections included in a job application letter:

Heading: A job application letter should begin with both your and the employer's contact information (name, address, phone number, email), followed by the date. If this is an email rather than an actual letter, include your contact information at the end of the letter, after your signature.

•   Header Examples

Salutation: This is your polite greeting. The most common salutation is "Dear Mr./Ms." followed by the person's last name. Find out more about appropriate cover letter salutations , including what to do if you don't know the person's name or are unsure of a contact's gender.

Body of the letter: Think of this section as having three distinct parts.

In the first paragraph , you'll want to mention the job you are applying for and where you saw the job listing.

The next paragraph(s) are the most important part of your letter. Remember how you gathered information about what the employer was seeking, and how you could meet their needs? This is where you'll share those relevant details on your experience and accomplishments.

The third and last part of the body of the letter will be your thank you to the employer; you can also offer follow-up information.

Complimentary Close: Sign off your email or letter with a polite close, such as "Best," or "Sincerely," followed by your name.

• Closing Examples

Signature: When you're sending or uploading a printed letter, end with your handwritten signature, followed by your typed name. If this is an email, simply include your typed name, followed by your contact information.

• Signature Examples

Overwhelmed by all these formatting and organization requirements? One way to make the process of writing a job application easier is to use a template to create your own personalized letters. Having a template can help save you time if you are sending a lot of application letters.

Be sure that each letter you send is personalized to the company and position; do not send the same letter to different companies.

• Always write one. Unless a job posting explicitly says not to send a letter of application or cover letter, you should always send one. Even if the company does not request a letter of application, it never hurts to include one. If they do ask you to send a letter, make sure to follow the directions exactly (for example, they might ask you to send the letter as an email attachment or type it directly into their online application system).
• Use business letter format. Use a formal business letter format when writing your letter. Include your contact information at the top, the date, and the employer’s contact information. Be sure to provide a salutation at the beginning and your signature at the end.
• Sell yourself. Throughout the letter, focus on how you would benefit the company. Provide specific examples of times when you demonstrated skills or abilities that would be useful for the job, especially those listed in the job posting or description. If possible, include examples of times when you added value to a company.

Numerical values offer concrete evidence of your skills and accomplishments.

• Use keywords. Reread the job listing, taking note of any keywords (such as skills or abilities that are emphasized in the listing). Try to include some of those words in your cover letter. This will help the employer see that you are a strong fit for the job.
• Keep it brief. Keep your letter under a page long, with no more than about four paragraphs. An employer is more likely to read a concise letter.
• Proofread and edit. Employers are likely to overlook an application with a lot of errors. Read through your cover letter, and if possible, ask a friend or career counselor to review the letter. Proofread for any grammar or spelling errors.

This is a job application letter sample.  Download the letter template (compatible with Google Docs or Word Online) or read the example below.

Sample Job Application Letter (Text Version)

Elizabeth Johnson 12 Jones Street Portland, Maine 04101 555-555-5555 elizabethjohnson@emailaddress.com

August 11, 2024

Mark Smith Human Resources Manager Veggies to Go 238 Main Street Portland, Maine 04101

Dear Mr. Smith,

I was so excited when my former coworker, Jay Lopez, told me about your opening for an administrative assistant in your Portland offices. A long-time Veggies to Go customer and an experienced admin, I would love to help the company achieve its mission of making healthy produce as available as takeout.

I’ve worked for small companies for my entire career, and I relish the opportunity to wear many hats and work with the team to succeed. In my latest role as an administrative assistant at Beauty Corp, I saved my employer thousands of dollars in temp workers by implementing a self-scheduling system for the customer service reps that cut down on canceled shifts. I also learned web design and timesheet coding, and I perfected my Excel skills. 

I’ve attached my resume for your consideration and hope to speak with you soon about your needs for the role.

Best Regards,

Elizabeth Johnson (signature hard copy letter)

Elizabeth Johnson

When you are sending your letter via email include the reason you are writing in the subject line of your message:

Subject Line Example

Subject: Elizabeth Johnson – Administrative Assistant Position

List your contact information in your signature, rather than in the body of the letter:

Email Signature Example

Elizabeth Johnson 555-555-5555 email@emailaddress.com

Review more examples of professionally written cover letters for a variety of circumstances, occupations, and job types.

CareerOneStop. " How Do I Write a Cover Letter? "

University of Maryland Global Campus. " Cover Letters ."

Application Letter: Definition, Types and How to write it

We are all familiar with writing the application of leave of absence at least once in our lives. If you can’t relate, there are countless other times application letters are written. It can be for a job, asking for permission to host a football competition on the school grounds, asking for a transfer certificate after your dad gets posted somewhere else, etc. Here, I will tell you how you will write a general application letter.

What is an Application Letter?

If you’ve been following, the letter you write when you request for something, ask permission for something or apply for something, is an application letter. It is usually a one-page letter. It can be written for domestic or professional purposes. It can also accompany documents sometimes, like job application letters. So to say, application letters encompass more than cover letters; they can be an inquiry and a request letter too.

Types of Application Letters:

Following this thread, application letters can be classified into 3 broad groups . They include:

• Job Application Letter ( sample )
• Academic Application Letter ( sample )
• Personal Application Letter

Examples of job application letters include:

See cover letters

Examples of academic application letters include:

• Application letter seeking permission
• Scholarship application letter
• Application for leave of absence/in advance
• Application for a seat in the hostel
• Application for a testimonial, etc.

Examples of personal application letters include:

• Loan application letter
• Rental application letter
• Application letter for a deduction of fine
• Application withdrawal letter
• Internship application letter
• Transfer application letter
• Application letter for a travel grant, etc.

Note that these personal letters can be written person-to-person or person-to-business.

Steps on How to Write An Application Letter:

Like any other basic letter writing, the application letter starts with planning. Plan on the content, enquire about the recipient, think through about the details to include, keep things simple and short, and et voilà!

Let’s break things down.

Suppose you are writing an application to your college professor for the retake of your Microeconomics exam. Here’s how you draft your piece:

• Start with the date.
• Include the name of the professor, his post, department, and name of the university. Your professor can be an external or internal faculty. If he is an external faculty, mention this and the name of your university. If not, you still should include it to make things more precise. Add his contact information.
• Follow this up with the date. Proceed to the subject line, here, application for the retake on an exam is the subject.
• In the first paragraph, introduce yourself. Mention your name, batch, and program, followed by the course name. Now state why you are writing, which is to apply for the retake of your Microeconomics exam.
• Next paragraph should mention the reasons for you to skip the exam. Make sure they are valid grounds. If you had been sick, attach prescriptions or documents from the appointment. If you had been away for personal issues, give brief details of the event.
• In the closing paragraph, ask him/her to excuse you on these grounds and to retake your exam and say how it will be beneficial to you.
• Close with your details. Don’t forget to add your contact information like the mailing ID here.

Tips to Remember:

• Take care of the readability and white space in your letter.
• Make sure your pints connect with each other. Don’t include irrelevant information since an application is to be concise by format.
• Take care of grammatical and spelling errors.
• Be sure of the dates you are writing in the letter.

Related Contents

• Appreciation Letter: Definition, Types, and How To Write it
• Proposal Letter : Definition and how to write it

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What Is the Meaning of an Application Letter?

An application letter is a formally written one-page letter that accompanies a resume and other requested documentation in application for a job or academic program. Application letters are often synonymous with cover letters, and in addition to describing what materials are included in the application, an application letter should also take time to highlight the qualifications that prepare the writer for acceptance into the job or academic program.

Application letters typically begin with an introductory paragraph that states the position being applied to, reveals how the minimum qualifications for the position are met and asks the reader to continue reading to learn more about the applicant’s qualifications.

Paragraphs that follow the introduction paragraph typically highlight the top reasons the applicant should be considered. For experienced applicants, these paragraphs typically highlight work experience and workplace projects of significance. For less experienced applicants and new graduates, these paragraphs might highlight academic experience, such as classes taken that would be useful in this position or any particular academic projects or honors received.

An application letter should also include a concluding paragraph that express appreciation to the receiver for taking the time to consider the application. The final sentence should convey that the applicant looks toward the future by asking for a formal interview in-person, online or by phone.

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Application Letter

What is an application letter.

Are you looking for a new job? You may need to write a job application letter to get the best position for you. It is a letter written to inform the employer of your interest in the open position at the organization. Many employers prefer such application letters as they provide more details of the applicant’s personality than would be discernible with the usual practice of outlining your professional experience with a CV and cover letter.

An application letter is merely another name for a cover letter for a job application .  As we discussed earlier the official business application letter often includes a job application and/or resume. This is then sent to a prospective employer. Although application letters are generally considered optional components of applying for a job, if you write one, you can focus on writing one as it makes your chances of getting employment rates higher. Most of the employees are singling out those who actually take the time to write an appointment letter as their top picks, and get the job confirmation letter for the same.

To clarify, a cover letter meaning and an application letter definition are sometimes used interchangeably, but a cover letter typically accompanies a resume, while an application letter is a standalone document. Define application letter, it is a written communication that serves as an introduction to an employer, stating one’s interest in a job advertisement opening and highlighting relevant skills and experiences.

The definition of a cover letter is a document that accompanies a job application and provides a brief introduction of the applicant, explains why the applicant is interested in the position and highlights relevant skills and experiences. Job letter and applications can help a candidate stand out and showcase their qualifications for the job. In contrast, poorly written cover letters, which contains grammatical and spelling errors, may harm a candidate’s chances of being hired.

If you want more letters as an HR or employer then on the glossary page of UBS, you can also find the job offer letter, inter-department transfer letter, &many other letters. 

For an example of an application letter:

Dear Hiring Manager,

I am excited to submit my job letter and application for the position advertised in your job posting. As part of my application, I have included a well-written cover letter, which I believe can provide you with more information about my qualifications for the position. 

I am confident that my well-written cover letter and my application letter demonstrate my qualifications for the position, and I would be grateful for the opportunity to further discuss my application with you. Thank you for considering my application.

[Your Name]

Also, See: Appointment letter

Explore Letter Samples:

Job Application Letter – Format, Meaning, Writing Tips, and Sample

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AT&T says a data breach leaked millions of customers’ information online. Were you affected?

FILE - The sign in front of an AT&T retail store is seen in Miami, July 18, 2019. The theft of sensitive information belonging to millions of AT&T’s current and former customers has been recently discovered online, the telecommunications giant said Saturday, March 30, 2024. In an announcement addressing the data breach, AT&T said that a dataset found on the dark web contains information including some Social Security numbers and passcodes for about 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky, File)

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NEW YORK (AP) — The theft of sensitive information belonging to millions of AT&T’s current and former customers has been recently discovered online, the telecommunications giant said this weekend.

In a Saturday announcement addressing the data breach, AT&T said that a dataset found on the “dark web” contains information including some Social Security numbers and passcodes for about 7.6 million current account holders and 65.4 million former account holders.

Whether the data “originated from AT&T or one of its vendors” is still unknown, the Dallas-based company noted — adding that it had launched an investigation into the incident. AT&T has also begun notifying customers whose personal information was compromised.

Here’s what you need to know.

WHAT INFORMATION WAS COMPROMISED IN THIS BREACH?

Although varying by each customer and account, AT&T says that information involved in this breach included Social Security numbers and passcodes — which, unlike passwords, are numerical PINS that are typically four digits long.

Full names, email addresses, mailing address, phone numbers, dates of birth and AT&T account numbers may have also been compromised. The impacted data is from 2019 or earlier and does not appear to include financial information or call history, the company said.

HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?

Consumers impacted by this breach should be receiving an email or letter directly from AT&T about the incident. The email notices began going out on Saturday, an AT&T spokesperson confirmed to The Associated Press.

WHAT ACTION HAS AT&T TAKEN?

Beyond these notifications, AT&T said that it had already reset the passcodes of current users. The company added that it would pay for credit monitoring services where applicable.

AT&T also said that it “launched a robust investigation” with internal and external cybersecurity experts to investigate the situation further.

HAS AT&T SEEN DATA BREACHES LIKE THIS BEFORE?

AT&T has seen several data breaches that range in size and impact over the years .

While the company says the data in this latest breach surfaced on a hacking forum nearly two weeks ago, it closely resembles a similar breach that surfaced in 2021 but which AT&T never acknowledged, cybersecurity researcher Troy Hunt told the AP Saturday.

“If they assess this and they made the wrong call on it, and we’ve had a course of years pass without them being able to notify impacted customers,” then it’s likely the company will soon face class action lawsuits, said Hunt, founder of an Australia-based website that warns people when their personal information has been exposed.

A spokesperson for AT&T declined to comment further when asked about these similarities Sunday.

HOW CAN I PROTECT MYSELF GOING FORWARD?

Avoiding data breaches entirely can be tricky in our ever-digitized world, but consumers can take some steps to help protect themselves going forward.

The basics include creating hard-to-guess passwords and using multifactor authentication when possible. If you receive a notice about a breach, it’s good idea to change your password and monitor account activity for any suspicious transactions. You’ll also want to visit a company’s official website for reliable contact information — as scammers sometimes try to take advantage of news like data breaches to gain your trust through look-alike phishing emails or phone calls.

In addition, the Federal Trade Commission notes that nationwide credit bureaus — such as Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — offer free credit freezes and fraud alerts that consumers can set up to help protect themselves from identity theft and other malicious activity.

AP Reporter Matt O’Brien contributed to this report from Providence, Rhode Island.