You've probably spent hours staring at a blinking cursor, wondering why on earth you need to write a letter of application when your LinkedIn profile basically says it all. It feels redundant. Honestly, most people just copy-paste some generic template they found on the first page of Google, swap out the company name, and hit send. Then they wonder why they never hear back. Here's the cold truth: recruiters can smell a "mad-libs" style letter of application example from a mile away, and it usually goes straight into the digital trash bin.
Writing is hard. Specifically, writing about yourself without sounding like a narcissist or a robot is a nightmare.
But if you want the job, you have to play the game. A letter of application—often used interchangeably with a cover letter—is your one chance to tell the story that your resume bullets can't. It’s about the "why" and the "how," not just the "what." In this guide, we're going to break down what a high-performing letter actually looks like in the wild, using a real-world letter of application example that doesn't make people cringe.
The Anatomy of a Letter That Actually Gets Read
Most people think a cover letter is just a formal greeting followed by a list of their achievements. It isn't. It's a sales pitch. If you aren't solving a problem for the hiring manager, you're wasting their time.
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Think about the last time you read something truly boring. You probably skimmed the first sentence and bailed. Recruiters do the same thing. You've got about six seconds to prove you aren't a bot. Start with a hook. Forget "I am writing to apply for the position of..." Everyone says that. It’s filler. It’s noise.
Instead, start with a result. Or a connection. "When I saw that [Company Name] was expanding into the European market, I knew my experience scaling logistics for X Corp would be a perfect fit." That’s better. It shows you’ve done your homework. It shows you're thinking about their goals, not just your paycheck.
The Header and Salutation
Keep it clean. If you can find the name of the hiring manager, use it. "Dear Hiring Manager" is okay, but "Dear Sarah Jenkins" is better. Use LinkedIn. Use the company website. If you absolutely can't find a name, "Dear [Department] Team" works. Avoid "To Whom It May Concern" at all costs; it sounds like a Victorian-era eviction notice.
The Middle Paragraphs: The "Meat"
This is where most people fail. They just repeat their resume. "I worked at Google for five years." Cool, I saw that on page one. Tell me what you did there that actually matters to this job.
You need to bridge the gap. If the job description asks for "strategic leadership," give them a 3-sentence story about a time you led a team through a crisis. Be specific. Use numbers. Numbers are the universal language of competence.
A Realistic Letter of Application Example
Let's look at a hypothetical—but realistic—example for a Marketing Manager role. We’ll call our applicant Alex. Alex isn't just listing skills; Alex is telling a story.
Alex Johnson 123 Career Lane, Austin, TX
alex.johnson@email.com | 512-555-0199
January 18, 2026
Casey Miller Director of Growth, TechFlow Solutions
456 Innovation Way, San Francisco, CA
Dear Casey Miller,
I’ve followed TechFlow’s journey since your Series B round last year, especially how you’ve managed to maintain a quirky brand voice while scaling. It’s rare. Most companies lose their soul when they grow that fast. When I saw the opening for a Marketing Manager, I didn't just see a job; I saw a chance to help TechFlow hit that next $10M revenue milestone using the same "community-first" tactics I refined at Peak Performance Co.
In my last role, I was tasked with reviving a stagnant email list of 50,000 subscribers. Instead of just blasting them with more coupons, I redesigned our segmentation strategy. We focused on user behavior rather than just demographics. Within six months, our open rates jumped by 40%, and we saw a direct $1.2M increase in attributable sales. I noticed TechFlow is currently leaning heavily into LinkedIn ads—I’d love to bring that same data-driven experimentation to your organic channels.
I’m not just a "marketing person." I’m a strategist who understands that every dollar spent needs to justify itself. I’ve managed budgets exceeding $500k and led a team of six creatives, but I’m still happy to get my hands dirty writing copy or digging into Google Analytics.
I’d love to chat about how my experience with high-growth SaaS companies can help TechFlow keep its momentum in 2026. Thank you for your time and for building such a cool product.
Best,
Alex Johnson
Why This Example Works (And Yours Might Not)
Did you notice what Alex did there?
First, the tone is professional but human. It sounds like a person talking to another person. It isn't stiff. It isn't "corporate-speak."
Second, it addresses a specific pain point. Alex noticed TechFlow is growing fast and using LinkedIn ads. By mentioning this, Alex proves they aren't just sending out 50 identical letters a day. This is a "bespoke" letter of application example.
The Power of Research
You can't write a letter like that without spending at least 20 minutes on the company's website and social media. Look at their "About Us" page. Look at their recent press releases. If the CEO just did a podcast interview, listen to ten minutes of it. Mentioning a specific detail from that interview in your letter is basically a cheat code for getting an interview. It shows initiative. It shows you actually give a damn.
Avoiding the "I" Trap
Check your draft right now. Count how many sentences start with "I." If it’s more than half, you have a problem.
- Bad: I am a hard worker. I have five years of experience. I want this job.
- Good: Your team needs someone who can hit the ground running. My five years in the industry have taught me exactly how to handle [specific challenge].
Shift the focus from what you want to what you can provide. It's a subtle psychological shift, but it changes the entire dynamic of the letter. You aren't a beggar; you're a consultant offering a solution.
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Common Myths About Letters of Application
There is a lot of bad advice floating around the internet. Let's clear some of it up.
Myth 1: It has to be one page.
Mostly true. Unless you’re a C-suite executive with thirty years of experience, keep it under 400 words. People are busy. They want the highlights, not your autobiography.
Myth 2: You should use fancy vocabulary to sound smart.
Please don't. Words like "leveraging," "synergy," and "utilize" make you sound like an AI-generated brochure. Use "use." Use "help." Use "built." Simple language is powerful language. If you can't explain what you do to a ten-year-old, you probably don't understand it well enough yourself.
Myth 3: Nobody actually reads them.
Some companies use Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) that scan for keywords. If the robot likes you, a human will eventually read your letter. And that human is looking for a reason to say "no" so they can get through their pile of 200 applications. Don't give them that reason.
Tailoring for Different Industries
A letter of application example for a creative role should look very different from one for a legal position.
If you're applying for a job at a quirky startup, you can take risks. Use humor. Be a bit bold. I once saw someone get an interview because their cover letter was written as a "bug report" for the company's current marketing strategy. It was brilliant because it showed they understood the product and the culture.
However, if you're applying to a white-shoe law firm or a government agency, stick to the script. Professionalism is the priority there. Know your audience.
The Creative Approach
- Visuals: Sometimes, a standard PDF isn't enough. If you’re a designer, your letter of application might be a part of a larger digital portfolio.
- Tone: Use the company's own brand voice. If they use emojis in their newsletters, you can probably use a light touch of personality in your letter.
The Traditional Approach
- Structure: Stick to the standard three-paragraph format.
- Evidence: Focus heavily on certifications, years of service, and formal accolades.
Technical Details You Shouldn't Ignore
Let's talk about the "boring" stuff that can still sink your ship.
- File Naming: Do not name your file
CoverLetter_Final_v2.pdf. Name itFirstName_LastName_Letter_of_Application.pdf. Make it easy for the recruiter to find your file in their downloads folder. - Format: Always send a PDF unless specifically asked for a Word document. PDFs preserve your formatting across different devices. You don't want your beautifully aligned header to look like a jumbled mess on the recruiter's iPhone.
- Links: If you link to a portfolio or a LinkedIn profile, make sure the links actually work. Test them in an incognito window. There is nothing more embarrassing than a "404 Not Found" when a recruiter actually tries to see your work.
Addressing Career Gaps or Pivots
If you’re changing careers, your letter of application example is your most important tool. Your resume shows you were a teacher; your letter explains why those teaching skills make you a great Project Manager.
Focus on "transferable skills."
- Managing a classroom of 30 kids? That’s stakeholder management.
- Developing a curriculum? That’s strategic planning.
- Parent-teacher conferences? That’s high-stakes communication and conflict resolution.
Be honest but brief about gaps. "I took a year off to care for a family member" is plenty. You don't owe them your medical history. Move quickly back to why you're ready to work now.
Actionable Next Steps to Perfect Your Letter
Stop looking for the "perfect" template. It doesn't exist. Instead, follow these steps to build your own:
- The Reverse Job Post Audit: Take the job description and highlight the top three problems the company is trying to solve. Write one sentence for each, explaining how you’ve solved that exact problem before.
- The "So What?" Test: Read every sentence in your draft. Ask yourself, "So what?" If a sentence doesn't explain why you're a better candidate, delete it.
- Read It Out Loud: This is the best way to find awkward phrasing. If you run out of breath reading a sentence, it's too long. If you stumble over a word, it’s too complex.
- The "You" vs. "I" Check: Aim for a 50/50 balance. Ensure you are mentioning the company's name or goals as often as you are mentioning your own.
- Find a Real Person: Go to LinkedIn, find the company, and click on "People." Look for the person who would be your boss. If it’s a small company, it’s the CEO or a VP. If it’s big, it’s a Manager or Director in that department. Addressing them by name increases your chances of a human response by a significant margin.
Applying for jobs is a numbers game, but quality always beats quantity. You're better off sending five highly tailored, thoughtful letters than 50 generic ones. Treat each letter of application example as a unique project. It takes more work, but the results—actually getting the interview—are worth the effort.