L E T T E R O F A P P L I C A T I O N : C O N T E N T
Remember that you are responding to a posted job position in this letter. That will guide some of your
text. Make sure that you comment on specific qualifications that are listed in the advertisement.
THE EMPLOYER'S ADDRESS, NAME AND SALUTATION
With advertised openings, you will sometimes be instructed to send your information to an office, or a
title, such as the Director of Human Resources. In this case, you need not find the name of the
individual to whom you are writing. You can address the letter to "Dear Director," or "Dear Human
Resources Department," or you can simply omit the salutation (Dear_______,) from the letter.
Still, if you are provided the name of the appropriate person, it is easier. Note that if the gender of the
person is unclear, your salutation should omit the Mr. or Ms. title (i.e., “Dear Shannon Kirkpatrick,”).
THE FIRST PARAGRAPH
Length: Two or three sentences.
Content: This brief paragraph introduces who you are and why you are writing to the employer.
• Identify the position for which you are applying and indicate how you heard about the opening
(website, contact person, etc.).
• Make clear why the position is interesting to you and why you are qualified (Are you graduating?
Is your major related to the position? Do you have relevant experience? Is this position a good
transition for you in job-level or location?).
For example (if the position relates to your major, and you’re not a graduating senior):
1. I am applying for your part-time sales position which was posted on Handshake. I am currently
a sophomore, and am majoring in Marketing.
Or, if the position relates to your major, and you ARE a graduating senior:
2. I am applying for your Management Trainee position which was posted on Handshake. You
indicate a need for a recent graduate with a background in business and sales. I will graduate
in May with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, and I have held part-time sales
positions throughout college.
3. During the last two years, my editing position with our school newspaper has provided me with
experience related to the Proofreader position which was advertised on your company website. I
will graduate from Capital University in May with a Bachelor's degree in English, and I plan to
enter the field of publishing.
If the position doesn't relate to your major, but you have related employment experience, you
will refer to your experience instead of your degree:
4. I am applying for your Customer Service Representative position which was advertised on
LinkedIn. I have one year of customer service experience, and am interested in working within
the insurance field.
5. I am interested in the Loan Officer position with Orgo-gro. Mark Muggli, an analyst with your
company, recently informed me of two openings in this division. I have two years of experience
in banking, including significant exposure to loans and mortgages.