Application letter basics (and a sample) for fresh graduates

Compared to the resume and insane amount of time jobseekers spend on trying to perfect it as much as possible, the application letter is often treated as just another prerequisite document that has little to no bearing when it comes to the hiring process. Which is very wrong.

This piece of paper (or word page) can make or break your application since this is the first thing that recruiters read. If they found nothing here to elicit a second look, we pretty much doubt if they'll bother even skimming though the resume you so painstakingly created. No worries for you, though.

Here are some tips that you can use when writing your application letter:

1. There's no one letter to rule them all

We hate to say this to you but often, you need to write a different application letter for every different job you're applying for. There's simply no single format application letter that will earn your resume a second glance from recruiters. You might get away, though, by having a template and just changing the key parts of your letter whenever you apply for a different position or company.

2. State why you're interested in the company

Recruiters are always keen on hiring people who know their company or brand. Knowledge of the company and the brand saves time and money orientating the new hire and generally, companies love it when they are flattered a little. Just remember not to go overboard and go all fangirl on them, just show them that you're genuinely interested in the company.

If they are a small startup, they'd want to hear how you happen to see their job posting since it might point them where to better spend ad money.

3. Then, tell them why the job interests you

Companies don't just look for people with the right skillset when it comes to job vacancies, they are also looking for passionate people who are truly interested in the field or the objectives they listed on the job posting. In your application letter, you need to tell them why you think you'll be a great or productive part of their team by stating what skills you can bring and how the company will benefit from you.

4. Stand out by telling them something interesting

Among the many applicants eyeing the same job, there's always someone that stands head and shoulders above the competition"¦ and doesn't get hired. Why? Because their application letter is generic and they fail to stand out among the other applicants. The other applicant that is somewhat less qualified gets hired or called for interview simply because they highlighted something unique about them in their application letter.

You can either go for a character trait or a guiding principle here. For the former, state an instance that happened in your previous or current work experience that will highlight your character. The latter, on the other hand, should highlight the way you get things done and how efficient that way is.

Here's a sample application letter that you can rephrase or revise.

Juana E. Dela Cruz

11 San Martin Compound

Malhacan, Meycauayan City

Dear Mr. Mark T. Nicolas:

I'm writing to express my interest in the Content Editor position listed on Hobbes Feat. Inc.'s job listings page. I've known your company for years and have always been a fan of the articles you post on your blog and social media accounts.

The stories and testimonials that I've read online about how Hobbes Feat. Inc. treats its employees and the perks and benefits available to them are also prime motivators for me to be a part of your company.

Online content has always fascinated and frustrated me. On one hand, there is your company that produces such compelling copy, and on the other, there are content factories that spew junk after junk filled to the brim with keywords designed to manipulate search engines.

For your vacancy, I believe that I'm perfect for this because of my combined journalism and advertising background, and my unperturbable pride when it comes to my work. My current supervisor always tells me that my articles can elicit a reaction from both the living and the dead and that I only need to write a letter to the leaders of Israel and Palestine for them to consider peace because of the depth of my words and the playfulness of my prose. I'd love to bring that skill on board as Content Editor at Hobbes Feat. Inc.

With this application, I attach herewith my resume and portfolio for your full consideration. Thank you for taking time to review my application and I'm looking forward to discussing this with you in person.

Sincerely,

Juana

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