The letter of application (sometimes used as a cover letter for a résumé) should
- be addressed to an appropriate individual in the business
- be in an appropriate business letter format
- contain three or four short paragraphs emphasizing pertinent points in the résumé and their relation to the job at hand
- indicate that the writer knows something about the company
- indicate whether the job search is confidential and the reasons the applicant is looking for a job
- include a request for an interview.
Process/Skill Questions:
- What is the relationship between an application and cover letter and an application form? How are the two different from each other? Why is each important?
- What is the relationship between a résumé and an application and cover letter? How are their contents different?
- What qualities would an employer look for in an application and cover letter? How can the applicant ensure that these qualities are communicated in his or her application and cover letter?
- Why should application and cover letters be customized to fit the individual employer?
- What is an employer looking for in an applicant's application and cover letter?
- How does the application and cover letter serve as a first impression?
- What makes an application and cover letter optimized for online posting and submission? Why is this important?
- What are current trends in application/cover letter writing and submission?