An application letter is a useful tool that will help set you apart from the crowd of other applicants. If a large number of specialists are applying for a vacancy, employers often consider the presence of a letter as an additional filter.
The lack of an application letter may be perceived as a lack of motivation and interest in the proposed position - and HR may decide that it is not ready to waste time on an unpromising candidate.
Conversely, a good application letter can compensate for a short resume and encourage a manager or HR employee to invite you for an interview. But if you don't know how to write a good application letter, then you should get help from a writing service. Writers who work on such sites can not only write an essay for you but also help you with CVs, application letters, and other types of letters.
In this article, we look at types of application letters and how to write them if you are an HR specialist.
Types of application letters
Let's consider the types of application letters for HR specialists.
Traditional letter of application
The classic type is used when applying for a specific vacancy. The document plays the role of an appendix to a resume: it provides detailed skills, experience, and cases. The content of the letter must be adapted to the employer's requirements. You need to know how to write it to distinguish between "template" text and text prepared for the company's needs. You, as an HR specialist, should ignore documents with general information.
Cold letter
After researching potential companies you want to work for, you can find one that fits well with your skills and interests. Sometimes, managers of such companies may be looking for new team members without advertising an open position. This is where sending a cold letter to introduce yourself to the employer and explain why you would be an effective addition to their team could be in your best interest.
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*Letter of recommendation
Foreign companies and firms often ask candidates to provide references from previous management. A letter of recommendation is a type of application letter when searching for a job, which is filled out not by the candidates themselves but by a representative of the company where they previously worked.
*Value proposition letter
A candidate may find a request to tell about their successes. In such a case, you must attach a value proposition letter describing your professional achievements to your resume. This information will allow the recruiter to draw a conclusion about your value to the company.
*What should a good application letter look like?
An application letter is needed to help the employer understand how you will be useful to the company and why they should choose you. All components are important in an application letter: the style of presentation, the structure of the information you want to convey, and even the size.
*Size
Conciseness and information are the main criteria for the letter you attach to your resume. The length of the application letter should not exceed half a page, preferably keeping it to a maximum of 500 words.
This size is quite enough to list your main advantages and demonstrate motivation. At the same time, the employer or HR will not consider it too tiring.
*Style
The style of writing largely depends on the specific vacancy and the company for which you are applying. But in any case, it must remain formal and reserved. You should avoid using slang, colloquial expressions, emojis, and familiarity.
At the same time, the letter should sound sincere and unconventional. A letter written in the first person in simple, understandable language will make a more pleasant impression.
Structure and content of an application letter
There are no strict requirements for the format of an application letter. However, there is a certain structure that can make the text more informative for the reader.
Introductory paragraph. The letter should begin with a greeting and a mention of the position for which you are applying. Here, you can indicate how you found this vacancy and why you are interested in this position.
Description of your experience and skills. In this section, you need to talk about your professional experience, acquired knowledge, and skills. Study the requirements for applicants specified in the vacancy and tell which ones you meet. At the same time, indicate those skills that may be useful to you in performing this specific job. For example, you can bake wonderful pies, but this is not relevant for the position of an HR specialist.
An explanation of why they should choose you. In this paragraph, tell exactly how you will be useful to the company. You can briefly indicate that you are familiar with the company and know what it does. Here, you can attach a link to your portfolio if the requirements for the vacancy indicate a requirement for its provision.
Final paragraph. You can briefly thank a reader for the opportunity to send your resume and leave your preferred contact for communication.
How to write a good application letter
To make your application letter look more professional and convincing, you should pay attention to detail. We suggest you pay attention to the following points:
Use clear and simple language. The letter should be clear and easy to read. Don't write in too long sentences or use cumbersome phrases.
Avoid clichés. For example, "Please consider my resume for the vacancy, thank you" or "I am disciplined, stress-resistant, and easy to learn." Such phrases depersonalize the application letter.
Don't repeat information from your resume. The note should complement the resume, not duplicate it. For example, there is no need to re-list your previous jobs, but you can mention what skills you learned in them.
Knowing how to write different types of application letters is useful for HR specialists because such letters will help them get the desired position and choose a perfect candidate for a company. You will see how responsibly the candidate approached the vacancy posted by you.