- What is an application letter?
- What is a cover letter?
- When to submit an application letter vs. cover letter
- Examples of application letter vs. cover letter sections
- 1. Application letter vs. cover letter: Introduction
- 2. Application letter vs. cover letter: Body
- 3. Application letter vs. cover letter: Closing
- 7 Tips for writing effective application letters and cover letters
- Key takeaways
Application letters and cover letters serve different purposes in your job search, so it’s important to know which to use and when. We’ll show you the main differences between an application letter vs. cover letter, along with expert tips to help you land your next interview.
If you hear the term “application letter,” you might think it was just a fancy way of saying “cover letter.” While you wouldn’t be far off—they are both used to introduce you as a job candidate—they actually serve quite different purposes.
Knowing when to use an application letter vs. cover letter can be the key to getting noticed in a crowded job field and landing your next interview. We’ll take a close look at the differences between the two, how they are similar, and when you should use each in your job search.
What is an application letter?
An application letter is a detailed document outlining your skills and qualifications as a candidate. It may or may not accompany your resume, serving as a way to introduce yourself to a company and request to be considered for employment.
More formal in tone than a cover letter, the application letter delves into greater detail about your background and what makes you a good fit for the position. It is often used when there is no specific job posting, or when applying for jobs in government, academia, or international locations.
While a cover letter generally only gives an overview of your relevant skills and selected accomplishments, an application letter can provide a fuller picture of your job history. This is important because it is often submitted in lieu of a resume, so it needs to be more specific and comprehensive than a cover letter.
What is a cover letter?
A cover letter is meant to accompany your resume as a sort of an “opening act.” Its purpose is to encourage the hiring manager to read your resume in an easier-to-scan format consisting of an introduction, body, and closing. It’s also often shorter in length, consisting of no more than a few concise paragraphs.
The cover letter is generally submitted in response to a job posting, and should be tailored to align with the job description. While it isn’t always required, it’s usually a good idea to submit one along with your resume.
| APPLICATION LETTER: | COVER LETTER: |
|---|---|---|
Purpose | Sent to express interest in working for a company, not necessarily for a specific job posting. May be sent in lieu of a resume. | Sent as an introduction to a resume in response to a job posting. |
Content | More comprehensive, with specific information about job history and qualifications. | Shorter, with less detail and more targeted skills and accomplishments for the specific role. |
Length | Can be one to two pages in length. | No more than one page. |
Supporting materials | May be submitted as a standalone document. | Always accompanies a resume. |
When to submit an application letter vs. cover letter
The great thing about knowing when to submit an application letter vs. cover letter is that if you’re applying to a specific job, the job description will generally tell you what you need to do (which usually means submitting a cover letter).
An application letter is generally used when there is no specific job posting and you’re simply expressing interest in working for a company. However, there are always exceptions, so make sure to always read the submission requirements—you never know.
Here are some tips on when to submit an application letter instead of a cover letter:
When you’re looking for an internship. This allows you to show both your interest in the opportunity and your qualifications. Application letters are also helpful if you don’t have much work experience, as it can help you fill in the gaps.
You’re interested in working for a specific company, but there isn’t a job posting. It can be a great way to demonstrate your interest and confidence with a detailed overview of why you'd be a great fit for that organization.
You’re looking for a job in academia or an academic program. An application letter goes above and beyond the scope of a resume, showing a bit more of your personality and the specific reasons why they should choose you over other candidates.
While an application letter allows you to be more detailed than a cover letter, and show more of your personality, don’t get too carried away. Remain professional, and avoid including overly personal information, emojis, pictures/graphics, or informal greetings and sign-offs.
Remember, this isn’t a letter to your bestie; it’s essentially a job application and you should always treat it as such.
Examples of application letter vs. cover letter sections
It’s one thing to know the difference between application letters and cover letters, and another to see them in practice. So what might the two letters look like?
1. Application letter vs. cover letter: Introduction
Like everything else in a cover letter, your introduction will be more concise and direct than an application letter. (Of course, your letter should always be customized for your specific situation.) You should also make sure to include a header in either letter.
Mary Smith Director of Marketing ABC Company Chicago, IL 60611 312-555-1212
Dear Ms. Smith:
I would like to introduce myself and express interest in working for your company in a social media manager position. I believe that my qualifications, education, and work experience would be an asset to ABC Company.
I have worked at a tech startup for the past six years, managing all of their social media posts and effectively establishing their brand in the tech field. This has given me excellent communication and branding skills, as well as the ability to effectively engage with their target audience to increase sales.
My education and training has also provided me with strong technical skills which help me create targeted campaigns and analyze results to optimize social media strategy.
Mary Smith Director of Marketing ABC Company Chicago, IL 60611 312-555-1212
Dear Ms. Smith:
Effective social media management is more than just posting content—it’s about building communities, driving engagement, and creating a meaningful digital presence. Given my strong background in content strategy, audience engagement, and analytics-driven decision making, I am eager to leverage my expertise to enhance your brand’s online visibility.
2. Application letter vs. cover letter: Body
In a cover letter body, you will generally only provide the highlights and accomplishments that the company is looking for in the job description.
On the other hand, since an application letter often stands in place of a resume, this section will need to be more detailed and comprehensive. Consider using a narrative or storytelling approach to effectively illustrate your skills, background, and job history.
At DEF Company, I successfully handle all of the duties required of a social media manager. In addition to building and maintaining their online brand, I curate their social channels, monitor and respond to comments, manage social media partnerships, and write, produce, and post targeted multimedia content. My responsibilities also include analyzing performance data and reporting results to key stakeholders. My last three campaigns for DEF Company resulted in a 35% reduction in follower acquisitions costs, as well as a 40% increase in audience engagements.
For example, I produced and managed the #whoisdef campaign, which led to 20,000 new followers and a 40% increase in traffic to DEF Company’s website. This is after starting as an intern and rising through the ranks to become the social media manager within four years, eventually hiring and managing a team of five social media strategists.
[If you have further career experience, you can outline it here, but don’t exceed two pages.]
Throughout my career, I have successfully developed and executed social media campaigns that increased brand awareness, engagement, and conversions. I am skilled in leveraging analytics to optimize content performance, track key metrics, and refine strategies to maximize impact.
Key achievements include:
Increased social media engagement by 20% through data-driven content strategies and interactive campaigns.
Developed and executed a viral campaign that led to a 40% increase in followers and website traffic.
Implemented a content calendar and automation tools, improving posting consistency and efficiency.
Strong storytelling and audience engagement are at the core of my approach. I excel at creating compelling content that resonates with target demographics, fosters community interaction, and strengthens brand loyalty. My ability to adapt to industry trends and experiment with innovative content formats ensures a dynamic and engaging social media presence.
3. Application letter vs. cover letter: Closing
Whether it's an application letter or cover letter, you will want to end on a strong note. Both letter closings will be very similar: restate your interest, and encourage the reader to take the next step in the hiring process.
Here is an example of a closing that can be used for both an application letter and cover letter.
I am eager to bring my strategic mindset and creative energy to ABC Company, and believe I would be a valuable addition to your team. I welcome the opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience align with your digital marketing goals. Thank you for your time and kind consideration.
I look forward to hearing from you!
Sincerely,
Susan Clark
7 Tips for writing effective application letters and cover letters
Although they serve different purposes, many of the same principles apply when crafting a standout cover letter or application letter. To maximize your chances of success, keep in mind the following tips:
Do your research and understand what the company is looking for in a candidate.
Don’t send a generic letter; tailor it to the specific company, and greet the hiring manager by name whenever possible.
Keep the letter focused on details that are relevant to the job you want.
Be concise. While an application letter will be longer than a cover letter, that doesn’t mean it should resemble a 500-page tome. Stay focused on what’s important for the hiring manager to know.
Emphasize what you can do for the company and the value you’d bring to the position. Be positive and confident.
Proofread carefully, ensuring that there are no typos or grammatical errors. Consider having a second set of eyes look at it to be sure.
Use a professional cover letter template for a professional look and feel.
Need help crafting a top-notch cover letter? Check out career.io’s Cover Letter Builder, with expert-tested cover letter templates that help you build an effective cover letter quickly and easily.
Key takeaways
An application letter is a detailed document outlining your skills and qualifications as a candidate. A cover letter generally gives only an overview of your relevant skills and selected accomplishments.
An application letter is generally used when there is no job posting and you’re simply expressing interest in working for a company, or when applying to internships or academic positions.
Since the application letter often stands in place of a resume, it can be more detailed and comprehensive. Consider using a narrative or storytelling approach to effectively illustrate your skills, background, and job history.
Whether you use an application letter or cover letter, always research the company, be concise and targeted, proofread carefully, and consider using a cover letter template.
