Tell the reader who you are and why you are writing the letter. O Introduce yourself.Dear Hiring Manager,. Unlike a resume, a CV is lengthier, often 5–10 pages, and is not customized to a specific position. See an example below. State the reason for your letter and indicate the specific position or type of work you are seeking. To learn how to write a college application letter, you must first understand its purpose. See sample formats and layouts on pages 30 - 43 . Chronological Format. This guide, along with the corresponding cover letter example, will explore how to create the best cover letter for university applications.