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The application letter is similar to that of a cover letter but takes the place of the cover letter. A cover letter's main focus is to catch the attention of the employer to land the job interview. The purpose of the application letter is to get the employer interested enough to look at the resume that you have attached. Like the cover letter your application letter should be only one page long and should be brief and to the point. You want to get the employers attention without getting off subject. Also this is a business letter so make sure to type it in plain font.

In the upper right hand corner is where you will place your name and address. Then on the upper left hand side is where you will place the employers name, their job title, company name and address and also if there is a job reference number you will also place this here.

In your application letter your first paragraph should start out by informing the employer why you are writing them. If you are cold calling the company then inform them that you are inquiring on any current or future opening in the position you are interested in. Cold calling refers to when you send out an application letter when the employer has not advertised for a position at the company. If the company has advertised an opening then make reference to that advertisement in the first paragraph of your application letter.

The next area of your application letter should be kept to no more than 3 paragraphs. This is where you need to briefly but effectively tell the employer why you are the best candidate for the job. This area is where you need to make sure you sell yourself. During this area keep it focused on your strengths that will benefit that particular company. If you are applying for a telemarketing job then they do not need to know about your success with countless babysitting jobs. Instead they need to hear about what it is about you that will make you a great telemarketer. Make reference to your resume and how what is in your resume gave you those strengths. Remember you are wanting them to read your resume and thus see your job experience or education qualifications. If need be you can use bullets to highlight certain strengths or qualifications that are pertinent to the job. This will help your application letter stand out against all the others the prospective employer is seeing.

In the last paragraph you will want to address some kind of response from the prospective employer. This is where you will tell the prospective employer that you will get in contact with them on a certain date to follow up. Also state something along the lines of * I will be contacting you on *such and such* date to follow up with you. In the mean time please take a look at the attached resume.*. This will again point out your resume to the prospective employer as well as show them that you are serious about the position enough to follow up with them. There is nothing wrong with wanting the position enough to come out and ask for the prospective employer to look your resume over nor is there anything wrong in tactfully coming out and asking for an interview.

After you are finished writing up your application letter then you should re-read it and make sure that the letter flows smoothly. Check the application letter for spelling and grammar errors. You should never send an application letter or anything else for that matter to a prospective employer that contains grammar or spelling errors. Even the smallest typo can give the wrong impression about you to a prospective employer. Also make sure that you addressed the employers needs with your application letter.

Once you are done revising anything that needs revised then hand the application letter off to someone you trust to read also. It never hurts to have a fresh pair of eyes to look things over for you. If there are no spelling errors and everything is focused and reads smoothly then you are ready to send it in with your resume.