Cover Letter vs. Application Letter [Differences, Pros & Cons, and Writing Tips]

However, the major difference between a cover letter and an application letter lies in the content. A cover letter, which is usually submitted along with a resume, focuses on expressing your interest in the position. An application letter meanwhile can replace a resume and a cover letter and briefly describes your education and work history.

Job search jargon can be confusing sometimes, especially when there are terms that sound alike but mean differently. Yes, we're talking about a cover letter vs. an application letter. They serve the same purpose – introducing yourself, demonstrating your qualifications for the job opening, and convincing the employer to call you for an interview. 

Since an application letter and cover letter are two different documents, they should also differ in terms of usage. As we all already know and understand, a cover letter is used to accompany a resume when applying for a job vacancy.

Then, what about application letters?

Below we will discuss the 5 different situations that tell whether you should use an application letter or a cover letter.

💡 When there is no job posting

If the job isn't being advertised, you can consider sending out an application letter or a letter of interest. These two documents work well when you want to express your confidence and desire to work at that company in the future.

That being said, a letter of interest is another different document, just like how an application letter is different from a cover letter. Application letters highlight your skills, strengths, and previous work experiences in detail, along with your interest in the specific position you are writing about.

💡 When you’re applying for academic programs or scholarships

In such situations, a longer-form letter like an application letter or an academic CV is more preferred compared to a resume and cover letter. The reason is that school advisors expect to see the details of your personal growth in terms of both education and employment. Therefore, they can decide whether you would be an excellent candidate to be granted the opportunity.

💡 When you’re applying for internships

As a student looking for internships, you might not have a lot of work experience to describe in your resume. For that reason, an application letter will be able to do the job of both a resume and a cover letter. 

Also, the potential employer would like to dig deep into your educational background as well as personal traits and strengths, not just hear about your passion. That's why an application letter is preferable to a cover letter or a motivation letter. 

💡 When you’re applying for a job opening

A cover letter is generally sent along with your resume for a job application. It is considered as a supporting document that helps provide additional information besides what is written in your resume. Though it’s optional to include a cover letter in your job application, you should need one to express yourself further in a more personal way.

💡 When you have a lot to write in your resume

You have plenty of work experience and have achieved many accomplishments in the field, so a 2-page resume is not enough. If so, you should describe those work experiences and accomplishments that don’t fit in your resume in a cover letter.

Remember, do not repeat the same information on your resume in your cover letter.

What if you are a recent graduate and have limited professional experience? A cover letter will then help you demonstrate your passion and motivation to apply for the job opening. You can also impress the hiring manager by stating your career goals. 

In this paragraph, we're going to show you the difference between a cover letter vs. a letter of application in terms of their format and structure.  

1. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Header

Basically, the header of a motivation letter vs. an application letter follows the format of business letters, which includes your contact information, the date when the letter is written, the recipient's address, and contact information.

Example:

2. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Salutation

The salutation in a letter is a greeting to the people who can make a decision on hiring you or offering you the scholarship. In general, they could be the hiring manager, the employer, or the Head of the Department where the vacancy is from. 

For any kind of formal letter, including a letter of interest, application letter, and cover letter, you should write a proper salutation like these:  

3. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Opening paragraph

Here's what to include in the opening paragraph of your cover letter:

• Your name 
• The position you're applying for
• The purpose of the letter
• A brief statement of your qualifications

Example of the introduction in a cover letter: 

On the other hand, application letters have a more extensive introduction through which the employer can grasp more in-depth information about the candidate’s skills and qualities. You need to cover the following elements in the opening paragraph of your application letter: 

• Your name 
• The purpose of the letter 
• A brief overview of your skills, experience, and goals 

Example of the introduction in an application letter: 

4. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Body paragraph(s)

In terms of the body paragraph, a cover letter aims to express your motivation and explain why you think you're qualified for the job opening. Thus, you will need to draw strong connections between your qualifications and the job requirements, and avoid repeating the information that is already mentioned in your resume.

Example of the body paragraph in a cover letter:

Meanwhile, an application letter provides a brief description of your educational background, employment history, and accomplishments in the field. The information needs to be listed chronologically so the employer can see your personal development. That makes a job application and a cover letter different.  

Example of the body paragraph in an application letter:

5. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Closing paragraph

How to write a cover letter vs a job application’s closing paragraph is similar. You will need to include the following information: 

• Restate your interest in the role/program.
• Include a call to action inviting the hiring manager to reach out to you.
• Express your gratitude for their time and consideration.

Example:

6. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Sign-off

There’s no difference in the sign-offs of a cover letter vs a letter of application.

Just simply end your letter with a formal closing, followed by your signature, like these:

• Sincerely,
• Best regards,
• With gratitude,

7. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Attachments

In general, you’re required to include a resume with your cover letter. You can also submit other supporting documents such as certificates and a portfolio. 

However, application letters don't contain any other attachments since they're considered a standalone document and you’ve already disclosed your explanations in the body of the letter. 

Still, to make sure you don't miss any requirements, read the job posting carefully. 

8. Cover Letter vs. Application Letter - Length

A cover letter is typically half to one page long with 250-400 words. An application letter can typically be longer than a cover letter and can be one to 2 pages long.

Wondering which type of letter you should use for your application? 

Below we've listed some pros and cons of using a cover letter vs. an application letter.

Pros & Cons of a Cover Letter

Pros & Cons of an Application Letter

✅ Rephrase your resume content in your application letter.

As mentioned earlier, you shouldn't repeat what is already written in the resume. If you want to highlight any important details such as your previous job tasks and significant contribution, keep in mind to rephrase them.

✅ Highlight notable achievements.

You should not only show your accomplishments but also quantify them. That way, you can better prove yourself to the hiring manager and show that you can add more value to the company.

✅ Start each paragraph by highlighting the content.

This allows the employer to have a clear picture of what you're going to say within each paragraph. Just follow the guide on how to write a cover letter vs. job application mentioned above and you'll be able to give a clear, well-thought-out self-description.

✅ Be brief and use descriptive words.

Descriptive words allow you to provide specific information without writing a lot. Hence, consider using this kind of words will make your application letter more concise and impressive.

✅ Stuff facts and details in the application letter.

Honesty is especially important when it comes to job and academic applications. Any false or ambiguous information may make you look bad and break your chances of landing the job interview. Including details about your experience will increase credibility and also help the readers gain a better understanding of your qualifications.

--- Originally written by May Luong ---