Application and Inquiry Letters

Application Letters

This type of letter is used to apply for specific openings and accompanies your resume. It gives you an opportunity to introduce yourself to an employer and provides a link between the job, your skills, and experience.

  • Inform the reader of why he or she is receiving the resume. If you have already spoken to him/her by phone or in person, note this in your letter (preferably in the first paragraph!) Hiring officials talk to many applicants each day. Do not assume they will remember you
  • Give detailed information about your qualifications without repeating information from your resume verbatim. Instead, state the value of your experiences, education, or personal qualities. Ask yourself “What have I learned from these experiences?” Then relate this to the skills you can provide to the employer. Emphasize what you can do for the employer, not how you will personally benefit from being hired for the job.
  • When applying for a specific position, your letter should reflect the qualifications listed in the actual job posting. The closer the match between the employer’s requirements and your background, the more likely you will be contacted for an interview.
  • Use this type of letter in response to specific job advertisements and vacancy announcements. Your strategy is to demonstrate that your qualifications fit the requirements of the position. Study the position description carefully and decide on one or more themes — education, experience, interests, responsibility, etc. — that show persuasively how well you fit the position. Link major job dimensions with your related past performance and experience.

Click here to view an example of an application letter (pdf format).


Letters of Interest/Letters of Inquiry

Letters of interest are sent to organizations to investigate possible job vacancies. State your reason for inquiry in the letter. How did you find out about the organization? What prompted you to send a letter? Did you receive a referral from someone who works at the organization?

The central paragraphs will be much the same as an application letter. Provide examples of your qualifications to persuade the employer to consider you for a position.

It is important to follow these letters with a phone call, since you may never receive a response if no positions exist. In your letter mention the time frame in which you will be contacting the person. Then make sure you follow-up as promised. Allow 5-10 business days before you contact them.

Click here to view an example of an inquiry letter (pdf format).