A qualifications letter should pique a prospective employer’s interest by showing how your skills could benefit the company. The letter format is similar to a resume cover letter, but you may send it without a request from the employer and don't need to include your resume. If your qualifications match the company's needs, you may be asked to submit your resume formally or, better yet, you may be invited for an interview. Like other types of employment cover letters, a qualifications letter must be concise and focused.

Open a new word-processing document for your qualifications letter. Type your full name on the first line, left justified. Enter your mailing address, email address and phone number under this, one data set per line. Add one blank line, and then enter the date. Add another blank line.

Enter the name of the company to which you are applying, along with the company’s mailing address. Add two blank lines.

Type "RE: Interview request" followed by two blank lines.

Write your salutation, followed by a colon. Return twice and then begin your first paragraph.

Indicate that you viewed the job listing the company posted. Be specific about where you saw the advertisement and the job title. State that you would like to submit your qualifications for consideration. End the paragraph and skip a line.

Summarize the qualifications the open position requires, as indicated in the job positing. Note at least one qualification you have that meets each requirement. List other relevant qualifications that may be useful in the position. At the end of the paragraph, skip a line.

Explain that you would like to schedule an interview if your qualifications have piqued his interest. Tell the recipient how to contact you, at his convenience. Add a blank line.

Write your closing remark. For example, "Thanking you in advance for your consideration" followed by a comma. Return at least four times to leave room for your signature and then type your full name.

Print the letter and proofread it carefully for errors. You may want to ask someone else to look it over as well. Once it is ready, sign the letter and send it to the recipient.

Tip

Always address your letter to a specific person. If you don't know to whom you should address the letter, call the company and ask. Some companies prefer to receive correspondence from applicants through email or online submission forms. Carefully follow the company's instructions in delivering your letter. You want to prove that you can follow directions right from the start.