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In Nigeria, a job application often stands out when accompanied by a well-written application letter. This letter should express your interest in the position, highlight your skills and competencies, and demonstrate to the employer why you are the ideal candidate for the role.

 

This article aims to address the following questions:

– Is an application letter necessary for employment?

– What is the format for an application letter for any position?

– Is there a template for an application letter that can be modified to suit the role you are applying for?

 

Even in cases where the job description does not specifically request an application letter—such as for part-time positions, factory jobs, or dispatch rider roles—writing one can still be beneficial. An application letter allows you to showcase your skills and accomplishments at a glance, making it easier for the hiring manager to notice your qualifications.

 

What is a Job application Letter?

An application letter is a formal document addressed to a potential employer to express your interest in an open position. It showcases your professional qualifications and personal achievements and aims to capture the attention of the hiring manager or recruiter who reviews applications.

To be effective, the job application letter should engage the reader by highlighting the key qualifications that make you suitable for the role, encouraging the hiring manager to consider inviting you for an interview. 

Additionally, the letter should emphasize the competencies that set you apart from other applicants, demonstrating your familiarity with the role and the company you are applying to. 

Ultimately, this application letter reflects how your personality, professional goals, and aspirations align with the company’s objectives.

 

Difference between a Cover Letter and an Application Letter.

• In most instances, the application letter and the cover letter serve similar purposes. However, they differ in that an application letter is designed to stand alone, while a cover letter is typically sent along with a CV or resume.
• An application letter clearly outlines your skills, competencies, personality, and goals, demonstrating how they align with the organization. In contrast, a cover letter serves as an introduction to your CV or resume, highlighting specific information without overwhelming the reader with too much detail about yourself.
• A cover letter typically includes a brief introduction that summarises the job seeker’s experience, skills, education, and accomplishments in three to four sentences. It should clearly explain why the job seeker is the best candidate for the position. In contrast, an application letter may feature a more extensive introduction and can stand alone, similar to a CV.
• A cover letter is designed to grab the attention of the recruiter or hiring manager, encouraging them to review your CV or resume and invite you for an interview. In contrast, an application letter is typically used by job seekers to express interest in an unsolicited job opportunity.

 

Why You Need an Application Letter for a Job

For jobs in Nigeria, an application letter serves as a formal introduction between you and your prospective employer. It typically helps you stand out from other job seekers, providing your potential employer with reasons to consider you over other applicants.

 

Given the competitive job market in Nigeria, where many positions receive thousands of applications, a well-crafted application letter can be your advantage. 

 

Learn how to write an impressive cover letter with a free sample today.

 

Steps to Writing an Application Letter: 

Writing an application letter for jobs in Nigeria involves the following steps:

1. Research and understand the company and the job role.
2. Decide on the application format and structure.
3. Include a proper heading for the letter.
4. Address the letter to the HR department, hiring manager, or recruiter.
5. Begin with an introduction that expresses your interest.
6. Describe your relevant experience and qualifications.
7. Highlight key aspects that make you stand out as an applicant.
8. Express gratitude for the opportunity.
9. Conclude the letter appropriately.

 

1. Research and Understanding the Company and Job Role: Research is an essential tool in writing an application letter. The first step is to gain a clear understanding of the company and the job role you’re applying for. This clarity will help you articulate your goals and highlight the qualities that make you a strong candidate for the position.

 

Creating an outline for your application letter based on your research will simplify the writing process, as you’ll have a structured plan in place.

2. Once you have determined the structure of your application letter based on your research, understanding of the company, and the job role, you should create a rough draft. Focus on getting your ideas down without worrying about grammatical or punctuation errors at this stage. This draft will serve as a prototype for your final application letter.

3. Address Heading of the letter: Addressing the header of the application letter is important. However, the salutation is one of the first things the employer or hiring manager will notice when they open the letter, so it should be written with care.

Important salutation tips before you start writing your application letter:

• Include a comma at the end of your salutation
• If you are addressing more than one recipient, you should address the recipient as ‘Dear Sirs/Madams’ in the application process.
• If the application’s recipient name is unknown, you should address the hiring manager or recruiter as ‘Dear Sir/Madam’.
• If the recipient’s gender (hiring manager or recruiter) is not known, you should address him/her by the full name, such as ‘Dear David Samuel’.

 4. Address the letter to the HR, hiring manager, and recruiter: How you address the hiring manager or recruiter is important, as he/she can sense your tone from the way that you write. Treat the recipients with respect when you are writing your application letter. Be polite and use formal language, and avoid using slang or ambiguous words.

5. Introduction describing your interest: When describing your interest, you should be as brief as possible and give your prospective employers reasons why you are the best candidate for the job role.

Due to the large number of applications that employers receive, particularly in Nigeria, they may not have the time to thoroughly read each application letter. To make your application letter stand out, it is important to clearly state the purpose of your letter in the first paragraph. This is likely what the recruiter or hiring manager will look at first.

6. Describe your relevant experience and qualifications: Customising your application for the specific job and company by highlighting your relevant experience and qualifications demonstrates to potential employers that you are genuinely passionate about the position and the organisation. It shows that you are committed to helping the company achieve its goals and objectives, thereby offering value.

 

Employers and recruiters are eager to hire candidates who can provide value, possess the right skills, and show enthusiasm for the job. By tailoring your application letter to reflect these qualities, you may significantly increase your chances of landing the job of your dreams.

7. Include key aspects that stand you as an applicant: It is essential to highlight the key aspects that set you apart as an applicant. Unless a handwritten letter is specifically requested, you should submit a typed, computer-generated document. Typing your document clearly and following these guidelines will help you present a well-structured, coherent, and easy-to-read submission.

It’s important to use Quality Paper. If you are sending a hard copy application letter to the employer’s office, make sure you use good-quality paper.

Carefully proofreading your application letter will help you identify and correct any grammatical or typographical errors before submission. Reading the letter aloud can also help you catch mistakes.

 10. Close the letter: When you send your application letter to the hiring manager or recruiter, your tone should match the tone of the letter. A formal application letter closing note should be polite, courteous, and respectful.

These are common closings that you can use to end your application letter:

• ‘Faithfully Yours’
• ‘Sincerely’ or ‘Yours faithfully’
• ‘Yours truly’

Use the links below to download a free cover letter template to boost your job application.

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Tags: application letter in Nigeria