To compile an appropriate letter for the job search method you are using you need to keep three questions in mind.

·     Who are you targeting?

·     What is the purpose of the letter?

·     What do you want from the person you are writing to?

 If you are serious about creating self marketing job application letters, you will find valuable insights and techniques to write letter content for maximum impact in job applications  - Using Sales / Marketing Techniques and also job application letters  for advertised job.  Each section is extremely comprehensive for all job seekers, in fact it is invaluable. Content is unique to Pro-Active Human Resource Management.  Please look at them and bookmark it for later use:

Overview of different types of employment letters

As stated, there are many types of job applications letters used in job search. Here are 9 of the most commonly used letters:-

An application letter to a third party who has advertised a position on behalf of an employer and will act on their behalf in the recruitment process. Here you must talk to the agency/firm and refer to the employer as the agency's "client". It is the agency you must influence to get a job interview with them in order to be referred to their client - the employer.

This job application letter is a bit more difficult and the standard must be very high. The letter must address all the criteria advertised, however the advertisement will probably only tell you the name of the industry where the job is, not the employer.  It is still a job application sales letter and you must use all the techniques shown in Applications Letter - Using Marketing Techniques. and Write A Winning  Application Letter.

Often the company will not be identified at this stage, research is not possible. If you do get referred to the employer you will know the company's name so you must prepare for the interview and do your research. Find out all you can about them and see sections on how to perform at the interview and what you may expect from an interview - Interview Tips and Interview Process and Questions.

3. Letter of interest to an employment agency / recruitment firm

6. Job Application Form

You are more likely to use an application form when you apply to an job advertisement over the phone and are asked to fill in an application form at the time of interview.  Another  example would be for when you apply for casual work or blue collar work. Used in employment agencies that deal with casual labour  (labour hire companies.)

Preparing an application form correctly and neatly, and on the spot, so to speak, requires :-

• A knowledge of what the employer wants,

• good handwriting

• All the information you will need to fill out the form at your fingertips.

If you industry uses application forms as the primary means of applying for the job you will need to develop some skills and knowledge to make the process easier. 

Application forms put you at a disadvantage:-

• They make you put in  employment history in chronological order that may be irrelevant to the job you are applying for. 

• You may not have the opportunity to show you main employment skills/history, especially if you have been doing casual work or working while studying.

• They do not provide an opportunity to target the job to your skills and experience.

So take your resume and give it to them anyway.

Note: If you register with an employment agency you may be asked for your tax file number, especially if it is for temporary employment.

When you first contact people in your network by phone or letter you are not asking for a job. Rather your aim is to generate job leads.

Once you get these leads you will then write a cold calling letter. 

7. Cold calling job applications

a. To an employment agency or recruitment firm

A letter of enquiry to a recruitment/employment agency to register your interest in being referred to an employer for a job in your area of expertise.

b. Direct to a company

This type of prospecting letter requires you do a lot of research and you must demonstrate that you know what the company does and how you can fit into the organisation. You need to be very specific about the skills you can bring to the job and how you can contribute to growth of the company. Don't actually say how you can improve processes or outcomes, as this suggests that the company is not performing, but state clearly how such outcomes were achieved in past positions.

8. Networking letters

You need two different types of  letters.

1. To a person in your network. Here you want to generate leads. Remember, you are not asking for a job, rather you are asking for advice.

2. You will probably then follow up with a letter of introduction to someone who has been referred to you through your network. This last letter is a cold call letter, but maybe referring to your source if appropriate.  If you can do this (you need permission from the person who gave the lead), it is more effective.

Writing these letters are quite different to any other job applications .

Find out how to network effectively.

Your first challenge is to get  your letter opened.

Opening statements are very important. They start your letter with impact. Opening statements can be found, in Write A Winning job applications .

Why you shouldn't use a one- fits- all job application letter

By far the most common mistake job seekers make is to use one fits all job applications that they have copied from the internet or developed themselves as a generic letter and altered slightly. 

You will notice this company does not offer a generic job application letter (cover letter) service. Each letter you write must be personalised to that particular job and the company, which will require research. Even professionals with high level skills often want a generic application letter written when they order their resume.  Most resume companies include these job applications  in their services. We don't, for all reasons stated in this section.

There are excellent sample job applications  found on job search websites. However, most of these job application sample letters are directed at the "professional applicant"  - especially for the high achiever or "would be" high achiever.

Your job application letter is an example of your communication skills, so don't set yourself up to fail. Recruiters can spot a letter that has strung together from phrases from sample job application letters  and the sections you write will be entirely different. We see the same with resumes.

Therefore, some application samples provided on this site are directed at the middle of the road job vacancies and skill level, and show you the process used, so you can develop your own letter writing skills. See Sample job applications .

It is highly recommended that you read Writing Applications Using Marketing Techniques, which shows you how to use effective content in your application letter. This section is invaluable and contains examples of  opening and closing statement examples and shows you how to ensure your job applications  use features and benefits. So no need to look for  "you beaut" sales pitches. The letter is strong on its own. 

As stated, what is common to all job applications is the need to sell yourself.

It is easier to sell yourself if you have a professional background and harder if you are in ordinary white and blue collar occupations. However, no matter what level of job you are applying for you can still write a job application letter using marketing techniques that catch the reader's attention, as long as you address the employer's needs, and therefore their expectations.  (Go to Write A Winning Job Application Letter to find out how to address the employer's needs). 

A good job application letter or employment letter, is useless if you do not have a resume that clearly backs up your claims in the letter. (exception career change letters.)  See Resume Writing.

If your resume is weak the best cover letter in the world will not get you a job.  if you are not getting interviews have your resume reviewed.

There a 5 sections on letter writing on this site.  It is recommended that you start with the basics as suggested earlier.  How to Write a Letter  shows you the correct letter writing format and also has valuable information about reading principles, which is very important and not, to my knowledge, found elsewhere unless taken from this site.  A letter that is set out badly will make an unfavourable impression. There is much more to professional letter writing that you need to know. No matter how good you think you are at writing job applications or letters, just take a peak at this section.  Even senior professional managers make critical mistakes that probably cost them the job.

What if the advertisement asks me to state a salary? 

If an employer asks you to state this in your application you must do so. Do not say "salary negotiable" never give salary unless asked.

Salary Links

Amazing Cover Letters

Some good basic advice with regards to the topic of money and how you can increase your chances of getting paid the most a company is willing to offer. Author Jimmy Sweeney

 Quintessential Careers   (Very big section on salary negation)