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APPLICATION LETTER

THE “DO’S

1. Do follow a logical and professional structure for your letter.

2. Do research the name of the person to whom the letter should be addressed.

Names are often listed in business directories, which are available in libraries and the
Trade and Development Council. You can also get them from the relevant secretary or
receptionist. If you cannot find the person's name but know their gender, use "Sir" or
"Madam". Never use "Sir/Madam". As a final option, you can use "The Recruitment
Manager", assuming that you are writing to a manager who is currently recruiting.
Always follow the instructions on the job advertisement.

3. Do specify the position you are seeking with a "with reference" heading.

e.g.

"I am excited to read from your advertisement that you are looking for high-calibre
individuals with (XYZ) skills and (XYZ) qualifications. My experience and
qualifications match these very closely and I have been seeking an opportunity just
like this in which to make full use of my skills."

THE "DON'TS"

1. Don't sign your name in coloured ink.

2. Don't discuss your emotions, feelings or sensitive issues (such as chronic illness).
The employer is only interested in what you can do and how you would do it. If there
are unusual circumstances to discuss, wait until the end of the interview.
3. Don't mention your salary history unless this is specifically requested.
Determine how closely you meet the needs of the position before discussing your
salary. Revealing salary details too early may bias the employer against you or
undermine your negotiating power.
4. Don't include any negative information of any kind.

39
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Discussions of why you left your last job, how you were made redundant, why you
did not like your last manager and difficulties you have experienced in your job
search are inappropriate in cover letters. Focus only on positive, relevant experiences.
5. Don't repeat words or phrases from your resume.
Your cover letter is a chance to add extra value and really draw the recruiter's
attention to the ways in which you match the job. No-one will bother to read the same
information twice.
6. Don't use correction fluid.
No matter how subtly it is used, correction fluid always creates a bad impression.
 41

5314 Delaware Sender’s Address

Kansas City, MO 64133
Hatcher@gmail.com

Date
April 19, 20XX

Person addressed
Janet Armstrong
Taggerty and Sons Publishing
Address
673 South Michigan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60603

Dear Ms. Armstrong, Salutation

I am writing in response to your advertisement in the December Purpose

issue of Publishers Monthly Journal, in which you announced an
opening for a sales representative with Taggerty and Sons Position
Publishing.

I have five years of retail experience in the book industry. For

the past three years, I have managed Books for Us, an Reference
ndependent bookstore located in Rolling Hills. I am familiar
with the products that you publish and believe my experience as Background
a retailer and with the buying public would benefit your
company. As the manager of an independent bookstore, I have
demonstrated my ability to set goals and complete projects in a
timely and thorough manner.

In my current job, I am responsible for buying both new

Specific Skills
publications and backlist inventory as well as analyzing sales
trends using a computerized inventory system. I have a B.A. in
English literature, and I am an active participant in local writers’
workshops. I have enclosed a copy of my resumé for your
Enclosure
review.
I thank you in advance and hope to hear from you soon. Request
 42

Sincerely,
Signature

Frances Hatcher

(Adapted from Carey, Business letters for Busy People)

Exercise 1: Read the following job application and identify SALUTATION,

BACKGROUND, and REQUEST

456 El Camino
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Waage@gmail.com

April 25, 2015

Maggie Montoya
Escrow Department
Valley National Bank
P.O. Box 99
Espanola, NM 87532

Dear Mr. Montoya,

I saw in yesterday’s New York Times that you are looking for a
concierge for your new condominiums at Center Plaza. My
background is so wonderfully matched with your requirement
that I am taking the opportunity to write to you immediately.

You ask for fluency in seven languages because people of all

nations occupy your buildings. I am of Danish birth, brought up
by a Danish father and Greek mother in Paris, and schooled in
French. After attending the French Lycee, I moved with my
family to Italy and later to Russia, where my father was
employed in the foreign service of Denmark.

I was fortunate to be able to continue my studies in the United

States and have therefore an excellent knowledge of English. I
studied both Italian and Spanish and acquired fluency both
 43

written and spoken. Thus I have good command of seven

languages. I worked several years as an “animateur” for the Club
Mediterranean, and later as manager of a small clothing boutique
in Auteuil.

I enjoy working with different cultures. I am experienced with

budgets, schedules, and general coordination of routines, and I
consider myself to have good judgment of people and situations.
I feel confident that the position of concierge, which you
describe, is one for which I am suited and which would give me
great pleasure.

I am enclosing some references for you.

I find your position challenging and exciting, and I would like to
talk with you about the feasibility of working at Center Plaza.

Yours sincerely,

Robyn Waage

(from Bly, Webster’s New World: Letter Writing Handbook)

Exercise 1: Read the following job application and identify SENDER’S ADDRESS,
POSITION APPLIED, and SPECIFIC SKILLS.

Maria Medical
1111 Wellington Road
Clayton, Vic.
3128 0412 121 212
mmedical@gmail.com

15 June 2015

Sarah Smith
Manager
 44

HMO Support Unit

Bayside Health Commercial Road
Prahran Vic 3127

Dear Madam Smith,

Re: Medical Internship 2015

It is with great enthusiasm that I apply for the position of Intern

at Bayside Health. I am in the final year of Bachelor of
Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery at Monash University and looking
for the best possible start for a successful medical career.

Bayside Health particularly interests me as it provides a broad

range of clinical experiences, in conjunction with a well
organised teaching program. After speaking to colleagues and
attending the Bayside Health intern information session, I
believe that the staff and facilities are excellent. As you will see
in my results and experiences, I am committed to giving my best
to any situation, have a holistic approach and would value the
opportunity of working in a first class organisation like Bayside
Health.

I can bring to the role strong team skills and effective

communication skills. These have been honed through
interactions and presentations to a range of audiences, most
recently at the Australian Medical Student Association (AMSA)
and as an ambassador for the Monash Medical Conference at
Sunway campus, Malaysia. My academic achievements and
voluntary involvement in Lifeline and the Big Brother/Big Sister
programs are indicative of my commitment to all aspects of
healthcare.

My experience at The Alfred, as both a student and a ward clerk,

has given me the opportunity to develop my clinical skills
including patient assessment and management and receive
 45

constructive feedback on my progression. Research into

endocrinology is of particular interest to me as it is my aspiration
to work in either diabetes or inflammatory diseases in the future.

In support of my application I have attached a resume providing

a summary of my relevant experience. Referees and results are
available through the PMVC system.

It would be my absolute pleasure to work at Bayside Health and

I believe I have the potential to be a valuable member of the
hospital team. I look forward to discussing my application
further at interview.

Yours faithfully,

Maria Medical

(adapted from http://www.monash.edu.au/students)

Exercise 3: Write an Application Letter related to the Following Job Vacancy.

Human Resources Unit – Recruitment

at Dr. Adhyatma Building, Ministry of Health,
Block A – 6thFloor (Room No. 602),
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Blok X-5 Kav. 4-9, Jakarta 12950,
Tel.: 6221-5204349 (hunting) / Fax.: 6221-5201164
ino-recruitment@searo.who.int
The mission of WHO is the attainment by all peoples of the highest possible level of health.
Vacancy Notice No: AFRO/14/TA201 Date: 29 April 2015

Title: EBOLA OUTBREAK - SURGE Application Deadline: 15 May 2015

CAPACITY - FOREIGN MEDICAL TEAM (14 day(s) until closing deadline)
(FMT) COORDINATOR Currently accepting applications
 46

Grade: Duty Station: Multiple duty stations

Contract type: Temporary appointment Organization unit: AF Africa (AF)

Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea (including
Duration of contract: minimum 3 months district level)
(with possible extension)

Objectives of the Programme :

The current Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013 and
now involves intense transmission in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. On Friday 25th July
2014 the Director-General (DG) of the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the
Ebola outbreak to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) under the
International Health Regulations (2005), and grading the outbreak to Grade 3 in line with the
WHO Emergency Response Framework (ERF).
There is heightened concern about the risk of Ebola spreading to other countries.
Qualification

Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, Hospital Administration, Information Management,

Humanitarian Action, Social Science or related field, with relevant extensive experience in
setting up emergency health clinics in low resource settings.

Skills:
Functional skills and knowledge:
 Understanding of FMT and/or international care providers structure, processes,
standards and organisation;
 Understanding of emergency response, with a focus on health care delivery in
insecure environments;
 Understanding of medical logistics and supply management;
 Understanding of training needs for hospital personnel operating in an emergency
response clinic.
Experience:
 Previous experience with hospital/clinic and/or foreign medical team coordination in
West Africa (particularly in one or more of the affected countries);
 Previous experience working in collaboration and negotiation with multiple actors for
health care planning and emergency response.
Languages:
Good working knowledge (written & spoken) of English.
 47

25171 Koto Tangah Sender’s Address

Padang, Maransi 23
agnesiaws17@gmail.com

Date
April 31st, 2015

Person addressed
Human Resources Unit – Recruitment
at Dr. Adhyatma Building, Ministry of Health,
Block A – 6thFloor (Room No. 602),
Address
Jl. HR Rasuna Said Blok X-5 Kav. 4-9, Jakarta 12950,
Tel.: 6221-5204349 (hunting) / Fax.: 6221-5201164
ino-recruitment@searo.who.int

Dear Mr/Mrs,
Salutation

I am writing in response to your advertisement in the WHO

web page which published on April 29th, 2015 about Ebola Purpose
Outbreak - Surge Capacity - Coordinator of the Foreign
Medical Team (FMT) who is looking for qualified people in
the health sector with good (written & oral) work knowledge in
Position
English. As my background, I apply for the position of
coordinator of the Foreign Medical Team (FMT).

I worked at Bumrungrad International Hospital Bangkok as a

Reference
doctor for 2 years and joined the emergency surgery team with
7 foreign doctors. And I have five years of experience as a
Background
voluntary doctor in Iraq and communicate fluently in English,
Arabic, Thai and Turkish.

While working at Bumrungrad International Hospital Bangkok

and collaborating with many specialist doctors, I gained a lot Specific Skills
of knowledge about how to handle patients and perform care in
an emergency situation, I was required to know what supplies
to prepare and what to do first in an emergency response. I
work specifically in the fields of surgery and treatment. I also
 48

often participate in health outreach to remote villagers about

small things that must be maintained and cared for in daily life
so that they were far from various diseases.

Enclosure
I have enclosed a copy of my resumé for your review.
I really hope to be accepted in helping to eradicate this Ebola
Request
outbreak. I have a good potensial of handling emergency cases.
I hope to be accepted in this precious chance.

Sincerely,
Signature

Agnesia Wettry, MD