The difference between a cover letter and a letter of application are what they are used for.

A cover letter is used as a sort of introduction for yourself and your attached documents, usually a resume. A letter of application is like filling out a job application, but you put it into letter form.

When sending a company your resume for a job or internship, always include a letter of application. Your application letter should contain information on the position you are applying for and your qualifications for the job. It should be properly organized, formatted and spaced so it's readable and makes the best impression on the hiring manager. Here are guidelines to follow when writing a letter of application for employment. Letter of Application Guidelines Length: A letter of application should be no more than one page long. Format: A letter of application should be single-spaced with a space between each paragraph. Use about 1" margins and align your text to the left, which is the standard alignment for most documents. Font: Use a traditional font such as Times New Roman, Arial, or Calibri. The font size should be between 10 and 12 points. How to Organize a Letter of Application Header: A letter of application should begin with both you and the employer's contact information (name, address, phone number, email) followed by the date. If this is an email rather than an actual letter, include your contact information at the end of the letter, after your signature.

Header Examples When you are writing a cover letter to mail or to upload to a job board or company website, the first section of your cover letter should include information on how the employer can contact you. If you have contact information for the employer, include that. Otherwise, just list your information. Your Contact Information Your Name Your Address Your City, State, Zip Code Your Phone Number Your Email Address Date Employer Contact Information Name Title Company Address City, State, Zip Code Email Cover Letter Contact Information When you send an email cover letter, instead of listing your contact information at the top of the message include your contact information in your signature. Sample Email Signature FirstName LastName Email Address Phone Cell Phone Sample Email Signature With Full Address FirstName LastName Street City, State, Zip Email Address Phone Cell Phone Sample Email Signature With LinkedIn

FirstName LastName Email Address Phone Cell Phone LinkedIn Profile

Salutation: Begin your letter with "Dear Mr/Mrs Last Name." If you do not know the employer's last name, simply write, "Dear Hiring Manager."

Salutation Examples

Cover Letter Salutation Examples

Dear Mr. Jones Dear Ms. Jones Dear Jane Doe Dear Dr. Haven

Follow the salutation with a colon or comma, a space, and then start the first paragraph of your letter. For example: Dear Mr. Smith: First paragraph of letter. When You Don't Have a Contact Person Many companies don't list a contact person when they post jobs, because they don't want to be contacted by candidates. 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 use a general salutation. General Salutations for Cover Letters

Dear Hiring Manager To Whom It May Concern Dear Human Resources Manager Dear Sir or Madam Dear Company Name Recruiter

Introduction: Begin by stating what job you are applying for. Explain where you heard about the job, particularly if you heard about it from a contact associated with the company. Briefly mention how your skills and experience match the company and/or position; this will give the employer a preview of the rest of your letter. Body: In a paragraph or two, explain why you are interested in the job and why you make an excellent candidate for the position. Mention specific qualifications listed in the job posting, and explain how you meet those qualifications. Do not simply restate your resume, but provide specific examples that demonstrate your abilities. You can either write about these specific examples in complete sentences or in a bulleted format.

Job Application Letter Examples

Sample Job Application Letter John Donaldson 8 Sue Circle Smithtown, CA 08067 909-555-5555 john.donaldson@emailexample.com

Date George Gilhooley XYZ Company 87 Delaware Road Hatfield, CA 08065 Dear Mr. Gilhooley, I am writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union. As requested, I am enclosing a completed job application, my certification, my resume and three references. The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting, and I believe that my strong technical experience and education will make me a very competitive candidate for this position. The key strengths that I possess for success in this position include:

I have successfully designed, developed, and supported live use applications I strive for continued excellence I provide exceptional contributions to customer service for all customers

With a BS degree in Computer Programming, I have a full understanding of the full life cycle of a software development project. I also have experience in learning and excelling at new technologies as needed. Please see my resume for additional information on my experience. I can be reached anytime via email at john.donaldson@emailexample.com or my cell phone, 909-555-5555. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity. Sincerely, John Donaldson Closing: Restate how your skills make you a strong fit for the company and/or position. State that you would like to interview and/or discuss employment opportunities. Explain what you will do to follow up, and when you will do it. Thank the employer for his/her consideration.

Closing Examples

Closing Examples

Sincerely Sincerely yours Regards Best regards Kind regards Yours truly Most sincerely Respectfully Respectfully yours Thank you Thank you for your consideration

Follow the closing with a comma, a space, and then your name and your contact information, if you're sending an email message. For example: Best regards, Your Name Your LinkedIn Profile URL

Your Email Address Your Phone Number Signature: End with your signature, handwritten, followed by your typed name. If this is an email, simply include your typed name, followed by your contact information.

Signature Examples Sample Email Signature FirstName LastName Email Address Phone Cell Phone Sample Email Signature With Full Address FirstName LastName Street City, State, Zip Email Address Phone Cell Phone Sample Email Signature With LinkedIn FirstName LastName Email Address Phone Cell Phone LinkedIn Profile (Optional) Sample Email Signature With Twitter FirstName LastName Email Address Phone Cell Phone LinkedIn Profile (Optional) Twitter Account (Optional)

Proof and Edit Your Letter Remember to proof and edit your letter before sending it. It may sound silly, but also be sure to include the correct employer and company names - when you write many letters of application at once, it is easy to make a mistake. If you are applying to a job in advertising or another field that emphasizes creativity, you might be able to be more flexible with these guidelines. However, think closely about the position and the company before deviating drastically from this format.