Do I Need a Cover Letter? Are Cover Letters Necessary in 2023
Do I need a cover letter? Is it important? What if the job offer doesn’t require a cover letter? Read this guide to find out all you need to know.
Oh, come on! What is this? Another letter to get an interview?
That was your reaction to hearing a “letter of application” for the first time.
Am I wrong?
The list seems never to end: a cover letter, covering letter, motivation letter…
You’ll be happy to know that it’s the same thing.
And there’s more.
This guide will show you:
- Job application sample better than 9 out of 10 others.
- Workplan for how to write such a sample of an application letter for any position.
- Why the correct application letter format gets you in front of the recruiter.
Did you know that our builder can take care of the formatting for you? No need to worry about margins and spacing: just add your text and watch the Zety builder arrange everything on the page just the way it should be. Here’s what your job application letter can look like:
You can take your pick from 20+ professional templates to make your letter of application not only formatted well but also look great!
Did you mean how to write a cover letter? No worries! Find our guides right below:
- How to Write a Cover Letter
- What Should a Cover Letter Include
- What Does a Cover Letter Look Like
- Format of a Cover Letter
- Cover Letter Outline
- How Long Should a Cover Letter Be
- How to Address a Cover Letter
- How to Start a Cover Letter
- What Should a Cover Letter Say
- How to End a Cover Letter
This letter of application template proves you’re second to none:
Letter of Application Example
[Your Name]
[Job Title]
[Mailing Address]
[Phone Number]
[Email Address]
[Place, Date]
[Hiring Manager Name]
[Job Title]
[Company Name]
[Mailing Address]
Dear [Hiring Manager Name],
I was thrilled to hear you opened a post for an event planner. As an office assistant in Staff, I single-handedly organized a year-end party for the entire office, deemed the most entertaining and successful event the employees had a chance to attend.
It came to my attention that my position as an office assistant may seem off-track for the post you are advertising, yet let me assure you it is not. Allow my achievements to speak for the qualities you are looking for in an event planner:
- Multitasking. A one-person team successfully supervised the office’s administrative duties, from allocating contracts with vendors and suppliers to managing executives’ travel calendars to balancing the branding budget. Became a go-to person for when things need to be done.
- Research. Pitched a new supplier profile offering better quality office supplies stock at a lower price. Reduced administrative costs by 6%.
- Planning. Compiled and presented annual budget proposals to the management. 100% approvals so far.
The job of an event planner is not to arrange seats and tables. It is to create memories worth a lifetime. Together, we will organize events worth remembering.
Let’s schedule a meeting to discuss how my transferable skills could help your team.
Best Regards,
[Your Name], [Job Title]
PS—I will also be happy to tell you how my social media campaign for the local animal shelter’s community event boosted attendance by 20%. My methods were unconventional, and they sure worked!
Enclosure:
Resume
Send your job application letter with a job-winning resume for synergy. See our article: Resume Writing: Your Go-To Guide
What is a Letter of Application?
A letter of application is yet another name for a cover letter or job application letter. You submit it with your resume to apply for jobs. It’s a one-page letter intended to explain why you’re a perfect fit for the advertised position.
This is what a letter of application should include:
- Header with your name and contact details
- Hiring manager’s address
- Opening paragraph introducing yourself and your application
- Two body paragraphs explaining why you’re a great candidate and your motivation behind the application
- Closing paragraph with a call to action directed at the employer
- Your signature and attachments list
Now, here’s how you write an application letter:
How to Write an Application Letter?
Start from the beginning, which in this case is to—
1. Create an ATS-Friendly Job Application Letter Template
You need something to write on. But instead of grabbing paper, open a text editor and adjust the format of the letter page.
No splatters guaranteed!
See how to format your job application letter:
Format of an Application Letter
- Create enough spacing: 1–1.15 between lines, 1-inch margins, double space between paragraphs
- Choose the font: Garamond, Helvetica, or Arial in 11–12 points in a font size
- Align the content to the left
- Pick the file format: PDF, unless the recruiter requested a Word file specifically
- Name the file: JobTitle_YourName_ApplicationLetter.pdf, which in a real example would look like this, AdministrativeAssistant_OliviaRibush_ApplicationLetter.pdf
Disclaimer: The Applicant Tracking Software sees your application first, so if the software can’t parse it, the recruiter won’t even have a chance to read it.
By taking care of the layout, you ensure your letter of application passes the ATS scan and lands in the candidates list you’re targeting.
Plus, with clear formatting, you’re making it easy for the recruiter to read it and quickly pick out the best bits.
That’s it in terms of your letter’s technicalities.
Let’s move on to the job letter introduction.
2. Open Your Application Letter Right
Do you know why patterns appeal to so many people?
They’re consistent. Seamless.
To achieve a similar effect with your letter, mirror the design of your resume in the header section. That way, you’ll make your application more memorable and cohesive. (And simultaneously, you won’t risk making a mistake in your contact information.)
Later, a challenge awaits. Or not? It depends.
You’re about to address your hiring manager, and if they gave their name in the job ad, you’re lucky. But if they have not, then the hunt is on.
Look for it on the company’s LinkedIn page or website. You can even call the place and ask, yet get prepared to talk directly with that particular person.
It’s important because you don’t want to address the letter to whom it may concern. It’s heartless (and almost inhumane, as you’re not addressing a person).
To avoid that, in case you’ve searched through hills and valleys and found nada, write “Dear Hiring Manager” instead. But remember, it’s your last resort.
And now—
The opening.
There are several strategies you can use to start your letter. Among them are:
- Boasting about your most significant yet relevant achievement
- Expressing enthusiasm towards joining
- Commenting on the recent company’s development.
There can be thousands of reasons why you’re applying for a job, so first and foremost, stay true to yourself and don’t look for inspiration elsewhere. If you’re having a hard time coming up with something, the above have proved successful many times.
See the below application letter sample to see what I mean by successful job letter introduction:
Application Letter Sample [First Paragraph]
| Right |
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Jerome S. Quon Event Planner 1800 Ryder Avenue Seattle, WA 98101 425-286-5792
Seatle, 02/10/2022
Donald Lavender Event Manager Evenue 4376 Hillcrest Drive Seattle, WA 98161
Dear Donald,
I was thrilled to hear you opened a post for an event planner. As an office assistant in Staff, I single-handedly organized a year-end party for the entire office, deemed the most entertaining and successful event the employees had a chance to attend. (Even finance came.) |
| Wrong |
|---|
I’ve been an office assistant for 5 years, so I have experience doing multiple things simultaneously. I have deep knowledge of planning and organizing because I manage my boss’s calendar. Plus, I… |
Yikes!
The second one just won’t do. It’s the opposite of success.
Your opening paragraph needs to compel the reader, make them eager to carry on with your letter, not move it aside to the boring pile.
It’s important you remember there’s no “I” in “employers must be charmed by your paragraphs,” so drawing attention from the employer and their needs only asks for ignorance. Build your sentences without much use of the “I” pronoun, and you should end up just fine.
Now, I won’t let you think that the same rules apply to inexperienced candidates writing their application letters.
Employers look for your motivation to grow and learn instead of accomplishments. However, they’re indeed helpful in convincing them of your fit.
Why don’t you see for yourself that an inexperienced candidate with a proper attitude can create the same strong argument:
Job Application Letter Example for Candidates With No Experience
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When I heard you won the Washington Post’s Top Workplace Award, I knew the very moment that I wanted to work for you. It proves you invest in your people and envision nothing but growth. I would be thrilled to work for a company like yours that retains talent. |
And that’s impressive!
ProTip: Make sure you don’t use your high school email address ([email protected]) even if you had to create a new one only for this job application.
3. Show Off in the Middle
Now’s the time for the main dish.
It’s two-course.
In the first paragraph of the middle section, you should convince the reader that you’re perfectly qualified for the job. To do that, you can use your accomplishments and real-life examples of your skillset.
In the second paragraph, speak of your motivation and reasons for joining. You want to get your message across very clearly so that the employer believes you’re a good fit for each other.
Take a look at the below examples to see how to describe your achievements and experience in the middle section of your job application letter:
How to Write an Application Letter Sample [Middle]
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It came to my attention that my position as an office assistant may seem off-track for the post you are advertising, yet let me assure you it is not. Allow my achievements to speak for the qualities you are looking for in an event planner:
The job of an event planner is not to arrange seats and tables. It is to create memories worth a lifetime. Together, we will organize events only worth remembering. |
| Wrong |
|---|
I’m very passionate about event planning because I love decorating. That’s what’s always inspired me. The places that others get to celebrate, thanks to my efforts. |
Wow…
Here’s how to go about it the right way:
- Stick to the requirements listed in the job description. You want to target keywords mentioned explicitly to pass the screening process and the recruiter’s scrutiny later.
- Write three to four bullet points, starting with a power word followed by an accomplishment statement.
- Quantify your accomplishments to draw attention to the most important information. Numbers pop and evidence you had actual results at previous jobs.
- Speak to the company’s mission or vision to build a connection.
- Never, and I mean never, copy your resume into your letter of application. It’s better to elaborate on one or two of the accomplishments instead of copying and pasting the dry facts.
Now check out how you can impress recruiters in the middle paragraphs of the application letter if you don’t have much experience:
Application Letter Example for Candidates With No Experience [Middle]
| Right |
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Growth is what matters to me. I’ve been graduating from schools with distinctions since the early years of my education. Not to mention, I’m right now doing a major in Event Management at the University of Washington, and I’m shortlisted for the Dean’s List.
Education has always been important to me, but so is helping others. Krissy’s Dog Shelter rejoiced when they found out that the fundraising I organized gathered them more than enough funds for the nasty winter to come. |
It’s not so hard, is it?
Pressed for time or still not sure what to say? Good news: the Zety builder can also help you with your wording. Alongside matching job application letters and resume templates, it comes with drag & drop bullet points and other pre-written content to speed up your job application:
Just think: you could skip the boring parts and be ready to apply for your dream job in minutes!
4. Close Your Letter of Application With a CTA
The worst’s behind you.
Now it’s time to thank for consideration, time, and other clichés.
Exactly—clichés.
They’re not effective in job applications. Not really, no. So get rid of any voices in your head telling you to write “Thank you for considering my application” or “Looking forward to hearing from you.”
Make a move and ask the recruiter directly whether they’ll invite you for an interview.
See how to write a Call to Action in the job application closing paragraph:
Simple Job Application Letter [Ending]
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Let’s schedule a meeting to discuss how my transferable skills could help your team.
Best Regards, Jerome Quon, Event Planner
PS—I will also be happy to tell you how my social media campaign for the local animal shelter’s community event boosted attendance by 20%. My methods were unconventional, and they sure worked! Enclosure: Resume |
| Wrong |
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Thank you for your time. I’d love to work for you.
Many thanks, Jerome |
See?
Not only does it make the recruiter feel obliged to reply, but you can also count on a quick response!
Plus, you created one more opportunity to sell yourself and your strengths that have the power to solve your employer’s problems. Well done!
To sign the letter, you can use “Best Regards” variations, such as “Kind Regards,” “With Kind Regards,” or “With Best Regards,” followed by your full name.
The postscript is totally optional. Still, you can use it to seal the deal by pitching a finisher-level accomplishment.
Key Takeaway
An application letter in a nutshell:
- Format your letter of application to create structure and a clean layout.
- Find the hiring manager’s name and use it in the address.
- Use the relevant keywords throughout your application letter.
- Build connection with the company by referring to the mission statement or values.
- Finish with a call to action, and remember you have an option to add a postscript for a knock-out punch.
- Sign the job application letter with a formal sentiment.
Thank you for reading my article!
Want more info on how to write a great letter of application? Wondering how your simple job application letter can get you noticed? Is there anything more you’d like to know about a job application letter?
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