Application Letters

Presented by
Career Services
Clarion University
 Purpose of a Cover Letter
• Catch the reader’s attention
• Focus on the employer’s needs
• Persuade the reader of your benefits or
value
• Convince the reader with evidence
• Move the reader to follow-up with you
…interview you!
Before you begin to write….
• What are the needs of my audience?
– Research the employer and position
– Analyze the job description for knowledge,
skills, abilities, and experiences required
– Make a table
• Employer’s needs vs. your qualifications
Before you begin to write…
• What benefits will my audience gain
from me?
– Create a list of your knowledge,
accomplishments, skills, and experience
– Select the qualifications that relate to the
needs of the job to emphasize in your
cover letter
 Targeting Employer Needs
• Employer needs • Your qualifications

– Budget experience – Treasurer, Accounting Club

– Accounting coursework – Accounting major

– Computer literacy – Specific software

– Community service – Volunteer for Special

Olympics
 Types of Cover Letters
• Letters responding to existing
openings
• Letters mentioning a name or
connection
– Networking or referral letters)
• Letters inquiring about possible
openings
– As a result of research of organization
 Letter Writing Tips
• Address your letters to individuals. Use
names.
• Mention your contacts or connections
• State your objective in the first
paragraph
– Employer: “Why are you writing to me?”
• Emphasize your skills
 Tips (continued)
• Quantify your accomplishments
– In numbers, dollars, or percentages
• Focus on the employer’s needs
• Research the organization and exhibit
your knowledge in the letter
• Use jargon or terms from your career
field or “industry”
 Tips (cont.)
• Mention something that sets you apart
from others
• Accent your strengths…don’t apologize
for limitations
• Don’t oversell or fib about your
qualifications
• Be professional
• Show intent to follow up.
 Format
• Limit your letter to one page
• Make your letter easy to read
– One-inch margins
– Simple fonts
– Good visual organization
• Use business stationery matching your
resume paper
 Format (cont.)
• Organize your information
– Opening paragraph
– “Qualifications” paragraph/s
– Closing paragraph
• Use standard business-letter format
• Proofread…proofread…proofread!
 Content – 1st paragraph
• Tell the reader why you are writing
– Are you applying to an advertised or
existing opening?
– Are you writing to inquire about available
positions?
– Did someone refer you to the reader or
organization?
• Indicate how your learned of the
position and/or organization
 Example 1

I am applying for the analytical chemist

position that was advertised in the March issue
of the American Chemical Society newsletter.
I am interested in research and development
and would like to relocate to the Philadelphia
area.
 Example 2

I noticed your school’s listing in the AAEE

Directory of Public School Systems. I am
interested in moving to the Richmond area,
and I am seeking employment with school
systems there. I hope you can assist me.
 Content – 2nd paragraph
• Explain why you have targeted this
particular organization
• Stress what your have to offer
• Identify the parts of your experience
(paid or non-paid) that relate to position
– Course work or special class projects
– Campus activities
– Internships or field experiences
 2nd paragraph (cont.)
• Demonstrate your understanding of the
position’s duties
• State how your qualifications fit the
position
 Content – 3rd paragraph
• Request an interview appointment, or
tell the reader that you will contact
him/her soon in order to see if you can
schedule a mutually convenient
appointment.
• Indicate when you would be available
for an interview.
 3 paragraph (cont.)
rd

• Include information on how the reader

can easily contact you.
• Thank the reader for his/her time and
consideration.
 Letter “Do’s”
• Write an original letter for each
employer and position
• Proofread for typos
• Run Spell Check on your computer
before you print your final copy
• Have someone else proof read your
letter
 “Do’s” (cont.)
• Type or computer print envelopes
• Keep photocopies of all materials for
your records
 Appearance
• Use standard 8.5” x 11” paper
• Select 20 lb. bond paper in white or ivory to
match your resume
• Follow standard business letter format
• Limit your letter to one page
• Keep a one-inch margin on all four sides
of the page
• Single space between paragraphs
 Resources
• A free handout on cover letter writing
– Online at www.clarion.edu/career
• Books with sample cover letters
• A three-ring binder with sample cover letters
written by Clarion graduates
• Staff members who can review a rough draft
of your application letter
• Computers with Microsoft Word and a laser
printer
– Please bring your own paper
 Additional questions?
• The Career Services staff will be happy to
respond to your application or cover letter
questions.
• Contact us at 814-393-2323 or visit
114 Egbert Hall to schedule an appointment.