For each job posting you will come across, the recruiter will receive thousands of application letters from fresh graduates like yourself who have similar skills and almost no experience.
Post-college job search is real, and to stand out, you must have a well-written CV and a jaw-dropping application letter.
This application letter has to speak in terms of value. Allow yourself to shine through so the employer can see you as an asset.
In this guide, we will teach you how to achieve this. You’ll learn how to write an application letter for a fresh graduate with no experience.
Why do I need an application letter when the information is in my resume?
Your resume or CV follows a strict format, which includes using keywords that you’ve curled from the job ad. In contrast, an application letter allows you to be more creative and highlight why you’re different from all other candidates applying for the same job.
An application letter allows you to mention the exact employer you are writing to. Have you ever seen a resume with the headline “Mr. Chris Mba, HR Associate XYZ Company”? No.
See also: How To Write an Application Letter for University Admission Abroad in Nigeria
How To Write an Application Letter for a Fresh Graduate with no Experience in Nigeria
Contrary to common opinion, writing an application letter without experience is simple. All you have to do is be ready and mindful of what to include. The requirements listed in the job posting should be your first point of reference because they may be the most important things to discuss. It can be tough to meet all of a job’s requirements without previous experience, but you’ll often have equivalent experiences and transferable skills that are nearly as good.
Instead of focusing on your work experience, your application letter should highlight your education, personal characteristics and skills, and any other experiences that are relevant to the position you’re applying for. If you are a fresh graduate with no past experience, follow the principles below while writing an application letter:
1. Research the company
Before you start writing your cover letter, conduct in-depth research on the company that’s listed for the vacancy. Check their values and goals, and if possible, why they have a vacancy.
Writing an application letter for a fresh college graduate with no experience is comparable to writing an essay for class because all it requires is extensive research before you begin writing.
Try to find out who will receive your application letter unless the information has already been provided.
2. Address the recipient by name
Once you’ve determined who will receive your application letter, you can address them by name. Compared to other applicants’ application letter which begins with a more generic “Dear Sir/Madam,” yours immediately stands out. This shows your diligence and seriousness.
If you do not know their name, address them by their job title, such as ‘Dear Hiring Manager’.
3. Talk about why you want the job
Before you begin persuading the person receiving your application, explain the position you are applying for. Recruiters receive many applications; unless you specify the job you are applying for, they will not know. Include this in the first line of your application letter. This eliminates the recipient’s need to guess.
After that, you can briefly explain why you’re interested in that particular career or working for that specific firm. In the first paragraph of your application letter, you can also briefly introduce yourself and mention the source of the job ad.
4. Explain why they should hire you
In your application letter for a fresh graduate with no experience, you should actively convince the reader that you are the best applicant possible. Meeting the job advertisement’s requirements is the most important thing.
As much as possible, demonstrate how you meet these standards. If you lack the necessary experience, discussing your transferable skills will often be enough. After you’ve established how you meet the job posting’s requirements, you can talk about other skills and attributes that are relevant to the role.
When discussing your skills, attempt to put them into context. For example, instead of saying ‘I have good teamwork skills’, you can say ‘My time as a volunteer organizer helped me to develop good teamwork skills’.
5. Conclude your cover letter
Once the main body of your application letter is complete, thank the recipient for taking the time to read your application. Alternatively, you may say that you’re looking forward to discussing it further. After that, you can politely finish the letter and include your full name and contact information.
If your contact details have already been requested at a separate step of the application process, you can omit them from your application letter.
6. Proofread and assess your application letter
Proofread and update your application letter before sending it. This allows you to identify and correct any spelling and grammar errors. You can also assess the quality of your writing and decide whether to adjust the layout. Check your writing for persuasiveness and to see if anything was left out that you would have liked to include. You can ask a friend or relative with relevant experience to examine your application letter and provide feedback.
See also: How To Write an Application Letter to Join a Unit in Church in Nigeria
Essential Features In an Effective Application Letter For a Fresh Graduate with no Experience
Below, you can find a three-part checklist of the most important features of an effective cover letter. When you assess your application letter, make sure that it is:
Relevant
When writing any application letter from a master copy or template, make sure each version is unique and tailored to the position you’re applying for.
Ensure you address the recipient by name, reference the job and the organization specifically, and match your skills to the job requirements in the description. Remove everything you believe isn’t wholly relevant.
Persuasive
A good application letter does not need to contain much work experience; it must only be tailored to the job post. This can make it more believable.
Read your application letter again from the perspective of a recruiter. Consider whether you would be willing to hire this person or at least set up an interview.
Another alternative is to ask a friend or family member to follow suit. If there are any gaps in your application letter, use this moment to make the necessary modifications.
Concise
After reading everything above, you may realize you have more to write than you imagined. A good application letter should be as short as one page.
An application letter should ideally consist of three paragraphs: an introduction, one or more main body paragraphs, and a conclusion. These should be no more than four or five lines long. Make sure your writing is concise, clear, and free of repetition or digression.
See also: How To Write an Application Letter for Midwife with no Experience in Nigeria
Tips and Checklist for a Fresh Graduate Application Letter
Header: Address your application letter to the right people
- Complete name and address of the company.
- The hiring manager’s full name and job title
- Application date.
Introduction: “Give them an overview of who you are and why you’re the best fit for the job?”
- Your full name
- Position you’re applying for and how you found the job opening
- A one-liner of your greatest achievement or skill to grab attention and segue to the following paragraph
Sales Pitch: Show a relevant situation showing why you fit the job description
- Two to three relevant situations with a specific, measurable achievement
- Traits, background, or skills developed
- Connection to the job being applied for
Conclusion:
- Mention attached resume and portfolio
- Contact details
- Formal closure
Application Letter Sample for a Fresh Graduate with no Experience
Use this format for an application letter for a fresh graduate with no experience curled from resumegenius;
Sample 1 Application Letter for a Fresh Graduate with No Experience
Christian Mba
Ebenezer House Ekot Ekpene
0806655443322
June 15, 2024
Mr. Chukwu Ernest
Glorious Integrated Services
Great Britain
Dear Mr. Chua,
I would like to apply for your company’s recently announced position of Marketing Associate.
I am a recent graduate of [XXX], major in Marketing, from [XXX] University. My studies there have given me the skills to develop marketing campaigns and drive strategies, especially through the efficient use of social media.
During my internship at XXX Corporation’s Marketing Department, I learned how companies decide what products to sell, how to reach target customers, and how to react to competition. I also had the opportunity to work with seasoned professionals. They taught me how marketing concepts apply outside the classroom, how to blend with a group’s culture, and strive for common goals despite setbacks.
Finally, through active involvement in academics and extracurriculars, I developed communication and leadership skills that make me a valued member of any marketing team.
I attach my resume for your consideration. Thank you for taking time to review my application. I look forward to your reply so that we can further discuss it.
Yours sincerely,
Christian Mba
christianmba@email.com
0806655443322
See also: How To Write an Application Letter for a Cleaning Job with no Experience in Nigeria
Sample 2 Application Letter for a Fresh Graduate with No Experience
Name
Your Address
Contact Details
Date
Recipients name
Job role
Dear Ms. Johnston,
My name is James Amore, and I’m excited to apply for the position of Junior IT specialist at the French Central Inn, Charleston. I’m a recent graduate (June 2023) in Management Information Systems (MIS) from Charleston Southern University, and I’m eager to enter the workforce. I meet all of the academic requirements mentioned in your job posting.
Growing up, I took a liking to all things tech and digital, which led to me picking MIS as my major. Apart from all the tech courses during my MIS studies, I thoroughly enjoyed and excelled in my psychology courses. I’m especially interested in the intersection of tech and humanity (specifically, how people respond and adapt to technological changes). It’s a topic that I discuss frequently on my tech blog: techfacts.com.
During my final year of university, I interned at Safe Homes Inc., a vendor providing an array of home security systems. I worked on both the hardware and software side, installing physical equipment and configuring the requisite software, and I was involved in elements of IoT.
What excites me most about this position is that the role involves extensive work with the Internet of Things (IoT). Working at the French Central inn would be a perfect opportunity to combine my skills and passion.
I look forward to putting my knowledge and skills to use as a productive member of your IT department and learning from the best in the industry. In an interview, I’d love to discuss my short and long-term career goals and how they align with the French Central Inn’s tech vision. I await your call.
Sincerely,
James Amore
FAQS on How To Write an Application Letter for a Fresh Graduate with no Experience in Nigeria
A resume includes your name, contact information, qualifications, background, experience, and references. In contrast, an application letter connects all of the material to provide context and highlight your qualifications for employment.
An application letter is meant to be a one-page document.
Your application letter must include the following information:
A header that includes all of the recipient’s information.
An efficient one-paragraph synopsis.
A paragraph or two describing your qualities for the job and giving particular instances of your accomplishments or developed abilities.
A call to action in the last paragraph, mentioning the documents you’ve attached and your contact information.
Lastly, a conclusion.
See also: How To Write a CV for Job Application in Nigeria with no Experience
Conclusion
We have taken the time to explain in detail how to write an application letter for a fresh graduate with no experience in Nigeria. Read it and follow through all that we have listed here.
References
- Job street – Application Letter for a Fresh Graduate with no Experience sample
- Indeed UK – How To Write an Application Letter for a Fresh Graduate with no Experience
