b. Thank you,
c. Best regards,
d. Kind regards,
How long should your cover letter be?
Ideally a cover letter is a one-page document. You don’t need to write pages about all your skills and experience, as these details are already in your resume. So, don’t write an essay; keep it short, organise it into paragraphs and highlight how you are the best candidate for the job.
Things to check before sending your letter
Remember, your cover letter is a fairly formal document. So, don’t use informal words, phrases, expressions or contractions like I’m, I’ve. Instead, use the full form: I am, I have. However, some companies are fine with semi-formal or neutral style and if you are sure, you can shift your tone to adapt to the organisation’s style. However, you shouldn’t write very informally.
Dos and Don’ts
Let’s quickly recap a few important things to do and not to do in a cover letter.
It’s your turn
Yes, now it’s your turn to write your own cover letter. If you’re a job seeker, this is a good time to start practising writing cover letters by yourself. Even if you aren’t looking for a job at the moment, you can think of your dream job you and draft a letter for it. It will help you understand the position better, realise where you stand and help you improve your writing skills.
When to Use 'Dear' or 'To Whom It May Concern' as Greetings
When you have a contact person.
Cover letter example, sending your letter.
Hilary Allison / The Balance
A salutation is a greeting at the beginning of a cover letter that is included with a resume when applying for a job. When you're writing a cover letter or sending an email message to apply for a job, it's important to include an appropriate greeting at the beginning to set the tone for your letter, which should be professional and appropriate.
The greeting is the first thing the recipient will see when they read your cover letter. Therefore, you need to convey the appropriate level of familiarity and respect.
Using casual greetings, such as “Hello” and “Hi” can make your letter seem unprofessional. Reserve these casual greetings for personal email and refrain from using them in your cover letter unless you are very familiar with the recipient. Such greetings are simply too informal—not the most professional way to begin the conversation if you’re looking to land a job.
“Hi” is appropriate only in casual email correspondence with people you know well—if you're checking in with a close friend to find out if they've heard of a job opening at their company, for example. "Hello" is appropriate only in email correspondence. It should be used primarily for people you know well but can be used in very casual circumstances.
Beginning your correspondence “To Whom It May Concern,” on the other hand, may seem too impersonal and make the hiring manager believe you do not care enough to find out whom you should be addressing. The only time to use " To Whom It May Concern " as a cover letter greeting is when you simply cannot find out the specific person to whom you are writing.
You should, of course, make every effort to find the name of a contact in the specific department in which you are interested. When inquiring with a company for unadvertised openings, this greeting may be most appropriate.
The following is a list of letter salutation examples that are appropriate for cover letters and other employment-related correspondence when you have the name of a contact.
If this information was not provided in the job announcement and you cannot find it on the company’s website, then you may be able to call the company, ask to be forwarded to their human resources department (if they have one), explain that you will be applying for a job there, and ask for the name of their hiring manager.
Always make every effort to find a contact name to use in your letter. It leaves a good impression on the hiring manager if you have taken the time to use their name, especially if you had to work a little to find it.
LinkedIn is also a great tool to find out the name of the hiring manager. You can search for the company you are applying to with one or two keywords that would describe the person hiring for the position. Scroll down the list until you find the person who fits the criteria. This approach may help you pinpoint the appropriate contact person.
Many companies don't list a contact person when they post jobs because they have a team of hiring staff who sort through cover letters and resumes before passing them to the hiring manager for the appropriate department. They prefer to leave the hiring manager anonymous until he or she contacts you for an interview.
An organization may also not want to disclose who the hiring manager is to avoid emails and phone calls from applicants, particularly if they anticipate receiving a large number of applications from potential job candidates. So, don't worry if you can't find someone to address your letter to. It will be forwarded to the correct department and recipient.
If you don't have a contact person at the company, either leave off the salutation from your cover letter and start with the first paragraph of your letter or, better yet, use a general salutation.
When using a general salutation, capitalize the nouns.
It is appropriate to use “Dear” in most circumstances, such as when the potential employer is someone you know well, or they are a business acquaintance. Follow these tips on choosing the right greeting:
Standard business correspondence formatting requires that, after providing your contact information and the date of your letter, you then write down your contact person’s name, the company’s name, and the company’s address.
The formal salutation or greeting comes next: “Dear [Contact Person’s name].” If you have a contact person for your letter, include their title and name in the salutation (i.e. "Dear Mr. Franklin"). If you are unsure of the reader's gender, simply state their full name and avoid the personal title (i.e. "Dear Jamie Smith"). Follow the salutation with a colon or comma, leave one line blank, and then start the first paragraph of your letter on the following line.
Your letter greeting has the potential to improve your chances of getting an interview. To enhance your candidacy, make sure your cover letter maintains a professional appearance and offers relevant information, including your qualifications for the position. Choose the appropriate closing and always thank the reader for their time and consideration.
This is a cover letter salutation example. Download the salutation cover letter template (compatible with Google Docs and Word Online), or see below for more examples.
Alex Applicant 123 Main Street Anytown, CA 12345 555-555-5555 alex.applicant@email.com
August 1, 2024
Brett Lee Nurse Manager St. Ansgar Hospital 123 Business Rd. Business City, NY 54321
Dear Mr. Lee:
I am writing to apply for the position of nursing attendant, as advertised on the St. Ansgar Hospital website. As a trained nursing assistant who is fulfilled by working with patients and staff, and by helping people, I would be a great asset to your nursing staff.
I completed my nurse assistant program in June of 20XX, and I also have a nurse attendant certificate from the state of New York. I have been working part-time at Dr. Ellen Mueller’s primary care office in Smithtown, NY, for the past year, so I am experienced in working with patients. In addition, I am diligent about my responsibilities, and I have a flexible schedule, which enables me to work almost any hours that you need.
I’ve attached my resume so that you can review my education and experience. I hope to hear from you soon. Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Respectfully,
Signature (hard copy letter)
Alex Applicant
When you are sending your letter via email, include the reason you are writing in the subject line of your message:
Subject: First Name Last Name – Nurse Attendant Position
List your contact information in your signature, rather than in the body of the letter:
FirstName LastName Your Email Your Phone Number
A job application letter is a document that a person writes to their potential employer so as to give them information about their qualifications, experience, skills and knowledge. It is also known as a cover letter and is sent along with a resume and other necessary documents to the employer.
The basic role of a job application letter is to introduce your potential to employers and highlight your suitability for the job vacancy. It is one of the first things that make an impression on you in the eyes of the employer. While hiring, recruiters try to analyze how passionate a person is about taking up that particular job, thus, being genuine and truthful is one of the essential qualities that they look for in the candidate. The applicant needs to convince the employer that they are right for the job by presenting a detailed and clear job application letter.
Address of the Applicant
The employer/HR,
Salutation (Respected Sir/Ma’am),
Body of the letter
Thanking you,
Yours Sincerely/Truly
(Details of the applicant)
142, 12th Floor,
Vibrant Tower,
Andheri, Mumbai.
12th September 2021
The HR Manager,
ABC Technologies,
Action Tower,
Subject: Job application for the position of Software Engineer
Respected Ma’am,
I hope your day is going great. I am writing this to you regarding the software engineer position that has recently opened up in your company. I came across this position on a website and I believe that I qualify for the majority of the requirements.
I have completed my graduation in electronic communication from IIT Delhi in which I hold a CGPA of 8.65. During my graduation, I also pursued certificate courses in Java processing, front-end development and backend development.
I also recently completed a three-month internship with Sigma Technologies where I was a part of their front-end team.
I have attached my resume with this letter and I certainly believe my educational qualifications will be satisfactory as per your expectations and will meet all the requirements.
Looking forward to discussing my skill set in an interview.
Yours truly,
Sakshi Mittal
14, Balwant Nagar
Janpath Road,
9th January 2022
Karan Nayak
HR Manager,
Potent Solutions,
Subject: Application for vacancy of Customer Service Manager
Dear Mr Nayak,
I hope you are having a productive day. I am excited to contact you about the customer service manager vacancy posted on Potent solutions’ website. I find myself a potential candidate for the position, given my career experience, education and core skills have prepared me to thrive in this role.
In my prior experiences involving marketing and sales, I have worked successfully with my team in converting clients and making core decisions. I have strong communication skills and can readily identify and resolve customer needs.
As my resume mentions, I have 4 years of experience in sales and marketing. And though I enjoyed my job a lot, with time I have realised that my customer care skills were more effective. This interest in customer care was strong enough to lead me and pursue a career in customer services.
I would love to continue this conversation with you over an interview and I believe that I can play an essential role in providing you with quality results. Looking forward to discussing more over an interview.
Thanking You,
Yours sincerely,
Viraj Mathur
Question 1. What is a job application letter?
Answer. A job application letter is a professional document which allows your recruiter to know about your experiences, education, skills and knowledge about a particular field. It introduces you to your potential employer and highlights your suitability for the position you are applying to.
Question 2. What is important to include in a job application letter?
Answer. At the top of the letter:
At the bottom of the letter:
Question 3. Is a job application letter important?
Answer. Yes, a job application letter is an essential part of a written application. In many cases, an application letter is just as important as a resume. It is unlikely that your resume will be read if your application letter does not make a good first impression.
Question 4. What are the things that an applicant should avoid in their job application letter?
Answer. Following are some mentioned things that an applicant should avoid in the job application letter:
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Job Application Letter: It is a document that should be submitted along with the resume to an employer to express the candidate’s interest in the position while applying for jobs. It is also known as a Cover Letter. It explains why the candidate qualified for the position and should be shortlisted for an interview. Whereas the resume explains the candidate’s history of work experience, skills, and accomplishments. The letter should emphasize the candidate’s skills and key qualifications which is fit for the role.
Get Other Types of Letter Writing like Formal, Informal and Different Types of Letter Writing Samples.
A well-written job application helps to get the attention of an employer while reviewing an application. However, the job application can be written to express the aspects of the candidate’s personality. The job application letter should be well presented by keeping in mind the following information:
Read the complete article to know more about the Simple Job Application Letter for fresher.
Refer to the following writing tips before writing a Job application Letter With Resume.
Refer to the following Job Application Letter Samples before writing a job application letter to an employer.
Question 1. What is a Job Application Letter?
Answer: It is a document that should be submitted along with the resume to an employer to express the candidate’s interest in the position while applying for jobs.
Question 2. Is a Job Application Letter similar to a Cover Letter?
Answer: Yes, a Job Application Letter is also known as a Cover Letter. It explains why the candidate qualified for the position and should be shortlisted for an interview.
Question 3. Why should I write a Job Application Letter?
Answer: A well-written job application letter helps to get the attention of an employer while reviewing an application. However, the job application letter can be written to express the aspects of the candidate’s personality. You should send the letter for every position you apply. Unless the job posting mentions sending only your resume, it is good to send one for every job you apply.
Question 4. Which should be emphasized on a Job Application Letter?
Answer: The letter should emphasize the candidate’s skills and key qualifications which is fit for the role.
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By: Alex Case | Category: English Language Examinations | Topic: IELTS
Last Updated: 13th Sep. 2024
Tips and useful phrases for starting, ending, and writing the body of polite letters in IELTS General Writing Task 1
This article gives tips on how to write suitably formal and polite letters to impress the examiner in IELTS General Writing Task 1, with advice on starting, ending and the body of answers to tasks like this:
“You recently attended an international conference in a hotel abroad. When you returned home, you realised that you had lost your workplace security badge at the hotel.
Write a letter to the manager of the hotel. In your letter
Write at least 150 words.
You do NOT need to write any addresses.
Begin your letter as follows:
Dear Sir or Madam,”
For information on formal letters more generally, see Formal Letter Format: How to Write a Formal Letter - UsingEnglish.com and for teaching materials on IELTS letters, see Teaching IELTS Writing: Interactive Classroom Activities (2nd Edition) - UsingEnglish.com
Before you start writing, you need to make sure that a formal letter is needed. This is easy with tasks like the one above which tell you to use “Dear Sir or Madam,”, as this opening greeting is always followed by a formal letter. There is also one official task that tells you to start with a specific title plus family name (e.g. “Dear Ms Jackson,”) and so clearly must be formal.
Tasks which tell you to use “Dear…,” (with the dot dot dot) are usually letters to people you know such as friends and so should be informal. However, there have been a few official practice exams in which you are told to use “Dear…,” but the letter should probably be formal such as a job application. There are also situations where different levels of formality are possible and so a formal letter is one possibility, such as writing to a boss and writing a job application to someone who you have met.
If you are told to start with “Dear…,” and decide that a formal letter is most suitable, that must always be “Dear + title + family name,”, as in:
Note that “Dear…,” and “Dear Sir or Madam,” are always given with a comma at the end, so this should always be used in your letter.
Although in real life we sometimes use “Dear + full name,”, for example if we don’t know someone’s preferred title, this should be avoided in formal IELTS letters as it looks slightly less formal and doesn’t show that you know how to use titles. Opening greetings without names like “Dear manager,” are not standard in English and so should be avoided.
Before moving onto the body of the letter and dealing with the points given in the three bullet points in the task, you also need an opening line. In formal letters, the most common suitable opening line is one giving the topic of the letter, as in:
Note that contractions such as “I’m writing…” are more informal and so should be avoided throughout formal IELTS letters.
Although we sometimes do so in real formal letters, there is never any need to start formal IELTS letters with small talk-like phrases such as “I hope this letter finds you well”. However, it is sometimes nice to start with mentioning the last contact with that person, as in “It was a pleasure to meet you…” and “Thank you for… yesterday”.
Between the opening greeting and opening line and then between each subsequent part of the letter, you should leave a blank line or an indent of a few spaces. An indent is more traditional in letters but a blank line is modern style and leaves more room for editing, so both options have advantages.
Formal phrases to start body paragraphs include:
These medium-formality opening paragraph phrases are also suitable for formal letters:
In IELTS formal letter body paragraphs, the most common functions in the official practice tests are (in order):
Polite versions of these functions also often show good general tactics for being polite/ formal. For example, when giving negative feedback/ complaining, you should use the useful tactic of being indirect, as in:
We can also make opinions language more polite by being indirect, as in:
However, with opinions it is also okay to be more direct, as long as you use suitably formal language like:
Apologies and giving bad news are good examples of being more formal by using longer single words and language that is unlike normal speech (not idioms made of short words like “let you know”), as in:
Thanking also is more polite with longer words, as in the formal example phrases:
These phrases are also formal enough for thanking in formal letters:
With requests, you have to be even more careful than usual not to use language for commands/ instructions/ demands when you just want to ask for help (so not “Please send me…”, not “Would you please…?”, etc). Suitably polite request phrases include:
Formal phrases for giving advice include:
These suggestions phrases are also suitable in formal situations:
You don’t have to be so careful when doing positive things like giving positive feedback and complimenting, but these formal phrases are good ways of showing your range of language:
Positive sentences related to invitations and arrangements can also be quite neutral and direct, but particularly polite forms including:
As with informal letters, each body paragraph needs at least two sentences, including adding additional information to the topic of each. This most commonly means giving reasons such as explaining cause and effect, for which formal phrases include:
These medium-formality phrases are also useful in formal letters:
More general formal adding further information phrases include:
After three body paragraphs of at least two sentences each, you will need three ending parts to finish your letter:
Formal closing lines include:
The closing greeting “Yours faithfully,” is only used to end letters that start without their name, in other words letters starting with “Dear Sir or Madam,”. In contrast, “Yours sincerely,” is only used after “Dear title + family name,”. If you get confused, “Sincerely yours,” and “Best regards,” are less impressive but match both situations and so are safer choices.
The most formal way of putting your name at the end are (with most formal top):
We don’t put our title before our own name, so not “Mr Alex Case” X.
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VIDEO
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How to write an application letter. Follow these steps to compose a compelling application letter: 1. Research the company and job opening. Thoroughly research the company you're applying to and the specifications of the open position. The more you know about the job, the better you can customize your application letter.
No hard numbers. "I worked in a team and provided customer service to elderly residents". 5. Choose engaging words for your application letter. Your letter of application's length should be 250 to 400 words or 3 to 4 paragraphs — long enough to get your point across but short enough that the reader won't lose interest.
Introduce yourself and highlight your skills and qualifications. State strongly why you would be right for the job. Use a polite tone throughout your letter. Stay genuine and professional. End the letter on a positive note. Proofread the letter before you send it to the concerned hiring manager/employer. Q2.
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.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Perfect Application Letter. Let's learn how to write an application letter for a job with a step-by-step guide that'll show you how to craft every part of it. #1. Research the Company. Researching the company is the first step before you even start writing your application letter.
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 ...
Here's how to write a cover letter for a formal job application: 1. Choose a professional cover letter format and layout. Cover letter outline: consisting of three paragraphs. First paragraph: mention the job you're applying to and your biggest work accomplishment. Middle paragraph: describe the top ways you fit the job.
4. Use short words rather than long phrases. Without realizing it, we sometimes write unnecessarily long phrases on professional documents when a single word is enough. After you've written your cover letter, go back and reread it. Replace longer phrases with single words (or at least fewer words).
Avoid addressing the recipient with "Dear Sir or Madam," which is outdated and impersonal. It's always best to address them by their title and name. For example: Good cover letter greeting examples: "Dear hiring manager,". "Dear [XYZ Company] team,". "Dear Customer Acquisition Hiring Manager,". Weak cover letter greeting examples:
1. Explain what drew you to the job. Your letter of application should capture the interest of a potential employer, so be engaging. Open with a strong, declarative statement about your excitement for the position or interest in the company. Briefly highlight traits that make you a star candidate to pique their interest.
The informal cover letter is a short cover letter with the purpose of quick introduction. You include information about yourself, your skills, why you are interested in the job, and your personal connection with the company. Short cover letters are for job inquiries that don't require a formal cover letter.
Internship application. Dear [Hiring manager name], This letter is in reference to the [name of internship] opportunity at [company name], where I hope to start my career in [industry]. I'm interested in pursuing [career path] because [reasons for applying] and feel that I could contribute [list of skills] to your company during my internship.
At the top-left of the page, begin with your contact information, including your name, location, phone number and email address. Include the date on the line below. Next, address the letter to the hiring manager or the appropriate recipient, using a formal greeting such as Dear [Hiring Manager's Name].
It may seem like a very time-consuming process to write a cover letter but it is essential and your letter must be specific to every job that you apply for, as it shows how serious you are about the job you're applying for. Name, address, contact information and date. Salutation. Opening statement.
The salutation in a cover letter sets a professional tone and should be appropriate for the job application; avoid casual greetings like "Hello" and "Hi." Always try to find and use the name of a specific contact person in your salutation, as it shows effort and can leave a good impression on the hiring manager.
Given below are some pointers which you should be adding to your application format. 1. Read the Job Description Properly. Whenever you are sending an application, you need to make sure that you know the job description so you can write your application highlighting the skills which are required for the job. 2.
4. Address the letter to the right person. Find out the name of the recruiter or the hiring manager and address the application letter to them. You could write "Hello, Mr./Mrs./Ms." or "Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms." and follow that with their surname. If you can't find their name, use "To the Hiring Manager" or "Sir/Madam."
To start your cover letter, introduce yourself. This means including your full name, your specific interest in the position and the reasons you've chosen to apply. If you got a referral to the job from another party, ensure to mention this in the first paragraph. 2. Mention your skills and qualifications.
The willingness for an interview ahead of the application should be expressed. The applicant should write in such a tone which sounds enthusiastic and positive to the employer. One should avoid mentioning repeatedly the skills and experiences which are already mentioned in the resume. Write persuasively and proofread before submitting.
Follow these steps when writing a formal letter: Left-align the text. Write your name, address and contact information at the top of the page, typically aligned on the left or right side. Include the full date you wrote the letter. Write it on a new line, left-aligned.
Job Application Letter: It is a document that should be submitted along with the resume to an employer to express the candidate's interest in the position while applying for jobs. It is also known as a Cover Letter. ... Get Other Types of Letter Writing like Formal, Informal and Different Types of Letter Writing Samples.
However, there have been a few official practice exams in which you are told to use "Dear…," but the letter should probably be formal such as a job application. There are also situations where different levels of formality are possible and so a formal letter is one possibility, such as writing to a boss and writing a job application to ...