Application/Cover letter

You will need to research job leads to find an actual job announcement that advertises a position for which you are qualified. Search national job sites like Monster.com, Indeed.com, Careerbuilder.com, and USAJobs.gov.

Research the Company or Organization. You must research the company or organization that advertised the job announcement. You can research the company in a variety of ways. For instance, you can find the company’s Website if one is available; or you may obtain a copy of the company’s annual report; or, if you know someone who works for that company, you can network with employees of the company

The goal here is for you to become more informed about the company in general—its product line, its past and current successes, and its plans for future development. Ideally, you should use some of this information to your advantage in your application letter. The best application letters not only demonstrate how you are well qualified, but also show how you can make specific contributions to the company. Remember that the chief aim of an application letter is to help you get an interview. Your letter should persuade the reader that you are the best applicant for the position.

Requirements for the Application Letter
Review the information on application letters in Chapter 9 and write a job application letter with an effective introduction, body, and conclusion. The job-application letter, which is the first thing the reader sees, expands upon a few of the points made in the résumé. The typical letter has at least three parts, and your letter should have all of them:

Introduction. The first paragraph establishes why you are writing to your reader. State that you are looking for a particular position and explain why you would like to work at that particular company. You should also identify the source where you find the job opening information. Forecast the body of the letter by stating your major qualifications for the job.
Body. The body of the letter develops each qualification (education and experience) with specific evidence. The goal is to show that you know what the employer needs and that you meet the requirements. You may organize this section around your education, around your training and experience, or around what the job or the company requires.
Conclusion. You should end the letter politely and include a reference to the enclosed résumé, a request for an interview, and your phone number and e-mail address.
Format
Your letter must meet all of the formatting requirements of a good business letter. It should use block format (see page 180). If possible, write no more than one page. The letter should contain all of the elements covered in the chapter about letters.

Heading (sender’s address)
Date
Inside address (full address, including title, for the person who is addressed)
Salutation
Body text (introduction, body, conclusion)
Complimentary closing (“Sincerely,” or “Sincerely yours,”)
Signature
Typed name
Enclosure notation (“Encl. Résumé”)