Essential Highlights

For an application letter to be effective, it should seek to avail some information considered essential in the job application process. Such information includes:

a) Personal address; where this information is important facilitating relevant feedback from the potential employer. This information should include your name, postal address, email, and phone number. It should always appear at the top of the application latter.

b) Date of the letter. This could appear right after the personal address or before it. It plays an important role in helping the individual and the person the letter is addressed to estimate the postal authorities’ letter processing time and therefore act appropriately to enhance convenience in the feedback process.

c) Name of the person the letter is addressed to and respective address information. The personal name of the potential employer the letter is being addressed to should appear right after your personal address/contact information. This should encompass the company’s/institution’s name and its address.

d) Salutations are equally important. They should follow right after the name and address of the person the letter is addressed to. Salutations should have the respective titles accompanied by the person’s name where such name is known: in case you don’t know the name, salutations should be in the form of Dear Sir/Madam.

e) The body of the application letter should contain fundamental information. This information include

•  Clear stipulation of the position you are interested in. You should be clear on the capacity you want to join the institution in. This should include information on how you learned about the position.
  

•   Express your interest in the position backed by the reasons why you have opted for the position at that company/institution and the value you would add to it when recruited.
  

•  Highlight your experience, qualifications, and strengths that make you suitable for the position. In this, you should avoid duplicating what is in the CV.
  

• Stipulate the heights of your career or endeavors.
  

f) Signing off the application letter should entail information on your potential contributions to the company/institution and your desire to hear from them. You should highlight the value you intend to bring to the company/institution when recruited. Equally, it is important to indicate that you are open for an interview or to availing more information when required to.

g) End the letter in the right manner. This normally entails the endings "Yours sincerely/ Your faithfully."

h) Sign the letter and write your full names under the signature.