How to Write a Good Job Application Letter

Author:
esheya
Updated date:
Jan 27, 2021

Esheya has some new ideas about how to succeed in Nigeria, or anywhere else.

esheya40 — Charles Barrileau via Flickr (CC BY 2.0) (detail)

The piece of paper on which you write your letter of application will be the only ambassador representing you to your potential employer. This piece of paper must present you in such a way as to show the person who receives it that you are just the right person they are looking for.

Men with good qualifications and experience fail to land a job because they do not write a good letter. They may have good potential but do not show it in their writing.

Why Should You Learn How to Write a Good Application Letter?

A potential employer usually makes a ‘short list’ of ‘possible hires after looking at the letters of application he receives in response to his advertisement. These are the applications to which he will grant an interview. Your letter must be good enough to get you on to that ‘short list’.

Consider that staff selection is a time-consuming chore for the employer. If each interview lasts about 45 minutes, he will have to spend a whole working day just interviewing 12 applicants. Little wonder that he will keep his ‘short list’ as short as possible. That is why your letter must be effective.

Do not humble yourself in your letter. Write respectfully, but do not over-emphasize your respect. Avoid the use of cliches about not being afraid or giving of your best; if you get the job, it goes without saying that your employer will expect work hard and give your best, so telling him so in advance will not impress him. He is looking for personality and intelligence, and the personable and intelligent individual does not ‘soft-soap’ a potential employer this way.

Let's assume you are seeking employment as a sales manager. Let us examine a typical press announcement for such a job.

A Sample Job Announcement

THE SUPER TEX PLASTIC COMPANY

Have vacancies for:

SALES MANAGER

Due to our expansion programme, we are seeking young people with at least a B.Sc or HND in marketing, preferably with some experience in plastics, to train as sales managers. Successful applicants will be appointed to a state in the South-South geopolitical zone of the country.

A company-owned car will be provided.

Applications, in writing only, to:

The General Manager
Super-Tex Plastic Company
7 Old Market Road,
Lagos

not later than two weeks from the date of this publication.

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A Set of Facts

For the purpose of illustration, let us assume for the applicant an identity, a background and some comparable commercial experience, leavening the whole with a few outside interests. The facts may look like this:

NAME OF APPLICANT: Author Esheya

DATE OF BIRTH: 2^nd August 19…..

PLACE OF BIRTH: Abuja, Nigeria

MARITAL STATUS: Single

EDUCATION : Best Brain Academy, Abakaliki: “O” Level Passes in English Language, History,

Biology, CRK, Government, Economics, English Literature, mathematics and Geography.

Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki: BSc. in Marketing (Second-class upper division)

EMPLOYMENT: Coca-Cola Bottling company Ltd Enugu, as a sales correspondence clerk

Unilever Nigerian PLC, Billing WayLagos as an assistant to the commercial manager

PERSONAL INTERESTS: Chess, walking, reading, and the theatre.

Before we write Author Esheya's letter of application, I would like you to read a few letters which are typical of the kind of response one might receive from the advertisement.

Typical Job Application Letter: Example 1

I would refer you to your advertisement in this week's Daily Sun which calls for sales manager.
I am 24 years of age and would be most grateful if you would consider me for this position.
I was educated at Enugu State University of Science and Technology, and I am at present employed by a company in the metal industry, I have had experience of plastic materials though only from the office sales side.
I thrust that this application is of your interest and I await your reply.
Yours faithfully,

I wonder what you make of that letter. The application has only said three things about himself:

His age
Where he was educated
That he is at present employed in the sales office of a metal firm and has some knowledge of plastic materials.

No personality comes over and the employer has virtually nothing to go over. Nothing of this nature, for example:

What did the applicant do at school?
Did he (does he) play any games?
What did he do when he left school?
How long has he been with his present firm? In what capacity?
What are his ambitions?
In a nutshell, why does he think he should be considered?

Typical Job Application Letter: Example 2

I refer to your advertisement in the Daily Sun.
I will like to take this opportunity of applying for the post of a sales manager in your company. I have over four years experience with my present employers, whose business is the wholesaling of any form of rubber to manufacturing and retail outlet is in Northern Niger.
I am 45 years of age married with a family, as there is no more advancement in my present company, I hope your company will offer better prospects than I am able to procure at present.
Yours faithfully,

This application is only slightly better than the first example, the writer tells us that:

He is 45 years old;
He is a family man;
He has had four years with his present firm, which is involved in the selling of all forms of rubber;
He gives a reason for wanting to make a change (there are no more prospects for him).

Would you interview him?

Typical Job Application Letter: Example 3

With reference to your advertisement in the Daily Sun for a sales manager, I would like to apply for the position.
I am 35 years old and I have been driving for eight years and hold a clean driving license.
I left school at 25 after obtaining a BSc. In business administration.
My first position was with a company manufacturing paper, as a sales clerk for three years, then I moved on to become assistant to the sales manager in a company making plastic containers for four years.
I have been in my present position, where I am in control of the sales office of a firm of hardware merchants for 15 months.
I await your earliest convenience.
Yours faithfully.

This man tells us little more than the other two. We know:

He is 35 years old
He has been driving for eight years and holds a license without endorsement.;
He left school at 25 with a BSc in Business Administration;
He has had experience in the sales department of three different firms;
He stayed in one job for three years and another for four years.

Job Application Letter: A Better Example

Now let us set out the letter of application of Author Esheya whose personal details we outlined previously.

I refer to your advertisement in the Daily Sun, and I wish to be considered as the sales manager.
My age is thirty-two. I am single and had a good general education at Best Brian Academy Abuja. I obtained ‘O’ Level passes in English Language, History, Biology, CRK, Government, Economics, English Literature, mathematics and geography. After leaving school at the age of eighteen, I continued my studies at Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, and ultimately obtained a BSc. In marketing.
For the past six years I have been engaged in industrial selling, as a sales correspondence clerk with Coca-Cola bottling company Ltd of Enugu, and latterly as the assistant to the commercial manager of Unilever Nigeria Plc of Lagos. My duties have brought me into contact with customers by letter and telephone. I am, therefore, seeking to broaden my knowledge and experience by taking the position of a sales manager with your company.
My knowledge of the plastic industry is extremely slender. However, I knew nothing of the brewery industry when I entered it five years ago, and in that time, I feel I have acquired a considerable understanding of its processes and marketing methods. With the training which you offer, I am sure that I will obtain an equal appreciation of the requirements of the plastic industry.
Outside my business activities, I am a moderate class chess player and enjoy walking, reading and the theatre.
I hope you will accord me the opportunity of an interview.
Yours faithfully,

The qualification and experiences which Author Esheya has been able to offer differ from those of the writers of the previous letters, I think you will agree, however, that he has put himself over rather better than they. He has written an interesting letter, one which has a certain style about it. Above all, by setting out as much about himself as he has, he has provided the employer with some glimpse of the kind of man he might be.

This application letter should get Author Esheya his interview.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Comments

Yet. Queen on June 18, 2020:

I want to write application letter to ATM post

Fatima on May 14, 2020:

I want to write a letter to Total falling station pls help me out

Success precious on March 03, 2020:

How can i write an application letter for a post of a worker in a restaurant.

Esther on February 27, 2020:

How to write an application for cleaning

David bose on February 14, 2020:

I want to write an application letter to total filling station, please help me out

Mercy on February 02, 2020:

I want to write an application letter to a total filling station; the mart. Please help me out

Ismail Abdul majid on November 23, 2019:

I would like to write an application letter for a post of pump attendant at a near by petrol station so I need your help

Azeezat on October 27, 2019:

How can I write an application letter to be employed as a worker in soulmate(hair cream)company.pls I need a reply nw.

Presley Katambo on October 19, 2019:

Gud morning and i'm about to write an application in the municipality can u please help mi with a gud application letter

esheya (author) from Nigeria on October 08, 2019:

Here is a sample you can use if you want to apply for a job as a secondary school leaver

Dear [sir/ma]:

APPLICATION FOR THE POST OF A [SALES BOY/TEACHER/CLERK/SALES GIRL/FUEL DISPENSER]

I am hoping to work in your [super market/school/shop/filling station/company] as a [clerk/sales boy/sales girl/teacher]

My name is Esheya and I just graduated from [Name of secondary school] with 9 credits, including English and Mathematics.

I am 18 years old and I would very much like to work for you because I want to learn about [what the company does].

Although I have no job experience yet, I believe that my fluency in the English Language, my sincerity and my good customer service ability will enable me perform even better than some people who have years of work experience.

I also know that I will be of much value to you and business because I’m a hard worker and a fast learner.

I promise to work ten-hour/day, to do exactly what you tell me to do, and to learn as much as I can about [what the company does].

Attached to this letter are photocopies of my credentials and my CV.

If you don’t mind, I would like check on you next week see if I can set up an appointment to be interviewed at your at your convenience.

If you would like to call me, I can be reached on my cell phone. My cell phone number is 07036288612.

Yours sincerely,

[Name]

Need more help? Contact me on 07036288612 or esheyaac@gmail.com

Gabriel Udoudo on October 08, 2019:

I am about writing an application letter to work in a filling station, I need your help

Esther on October 03, 2019:

How can i write an application letter to be employed as sales girl

Comfort otithe on September 03, 2019:

How can I write an application letter when I just finished my secondary school

Oluwafunmilayo on August 21, 2019:

How can i write an application letter as an ssce student ?

Yaw on August 17, 2019:

How cam i write application latter to be employ as mobile money agent for the first time

Oki kayode on August 15, 2019:

How can i write an application letter to a pharamcy store

MUHAMMED MIRZA on July 22, 2019:

how to write a cover letter for a polymer engineering department

Salim M Inuwa on July 09, 2019:

How can I write an Application letter to the training advertise in national newspaper?

Obi chrisson obi on July 03, 2019:

How I do write letter to be employed in a Bank

Josephine Ene Okoh on January 12, 2019:

How do i write a letter to be employed in a hotel. Thanks

Hadassah taiwo on January 09, 2019:

As a indusrial traning student, i want to work with the oganisation without using my national diploma certificate how do i write the application letter?

Simon on November 26, 2018:

How can someone write a letter to be employed as Bar attendant ?

VICTORIA on November 24, 2018:

How can to write a good application letter after complenting secondary education

Kawuki josey Joseph Junior on November 04, 2018:

Fantastic application

Ansu Mesali Junior on October 18, 2018:

how can someone written an application letter to gain admission to a university

Ansu Mesali Junior on October 18, 2018:

this is the first ever I see that provide such

Emmanuel on October 10, 2018:

How to write an application letter to serve in a Chinese mall after shs completion.

Prince on October 03, 2018:

I wish to write an application letter to a filling station

SAMUEL on August 30, 2018:

I just completef SHS how should I write my application

amuzu deborah on August 21, 2018:

good one

2 thinz on June 08, 2018:

How to write an applications letter to a company like sale business after completing s h s

Afolabi Selimon Olawumi on June 06, 2018:

I completed my NCE in 2014 and I want to write my application for employment

benedicta on June 05, 2018:

i just completed senior high school and my result are not yet in,how do i write my application for employment

Jimoh Ramota on June 04, 2018:

if someone just finish secondary school, and he/she has never work before hw is she going to write it? what will be written in the first line of the letter

Muhammad abu on May 21, 2018:

I wish to write a letter to a filing station company haw do i write it ?

Nathaniel on May 20, 2018:

How should I write an application letter as a pupil teacher

Awarl on May 07, 2018:

Application to the Director General of Education service seeking for employment for accounting clerk

Alton D. Gborlie on May 02, 2018:

Good and kind letter I enjoy it so much

amoh on April 30, 2018:

who do I write application for susu collection

Jennifer on March 22, 2018:

How do I write an application for a media house

Decency on March 21, 2018:

I just finished my auxiliary training and I want to write an application letter to a pharmacy

no working experience

esheya (author) from Nigeria on February 05, 2018:

Here is a sample targeted letter guaranteed to land you a job in the profession of your choice

[Put Your Address Here]

[Put Recievers Position and address here]

Dear (title and name of receiver):

I am hoping to work for you for free.

My name is Esheya and I just graduated from [Name of College] with a second class upper degree in [course of study eg Banking and Finance].

I would very much like to work for free because I want to learn about [industry eg banking]. I also know that I have a lot to learn before I will be of much value to you and [name of organisation eg First Bank PLC]. But I’m a hard worker, a fast learner and I’ve always wanted to work in [industry eg banking].

I promise to work ten-hour/day, to do exactly what you tell me to do, and to learn as much as I can about how [type of organization eg banks] work in the real world.

It’s one thing to learn about [industry eg banking] in the classroom, quite another to see how they operate in real life and real situations. I’m not one of those college graduates who think they know everything. I know I’m just starting my true education in what I hope will be my lifelong profession. I also know you are one of the very best in this industry. I want to learn from the best, and also be of service to you.

Of course, I hope to get paid for my work at some point. But I don’t expect to be paid yet, not until I am confident I am delivering true value to you and to your customers.

Attached to this letter are photocopies of my credentials and my CV.

If you don’t mind, I would like to call you within the next few days to see if I can set up an appointment to meet with you at your convenience.

If you would like to call me, I can be reached on my cell phone. My cell phone number is:[___________]. Or you can email me at:[__________].

I can meet with you at any time.

Sincerely,

[Name]

No employer can resist this can kind of letter! So copy it, rewrite it to suit you and get ready for that job you’ve ever dreamt of.

P.S. Have you downloaded a copy of The Job Getting Blueprint?

If you want to cut your job search time and make sure get a high paying job in less than 1 month, then check out my ultimate job search guide at www.thejobgettingblueprint.com or email info@thejobgettingblueprint.com for more information.