CEL 2106

COMMUNICATION FOR PROFESSIONAL

DEVELOPMENT

SEMESTER 2, 2019/20

MATERIAL 4 (WEEK 6-7):

COMPOSING AN IMPRESSIVE JOB APPLICATION
LETTER
Introduction

Do you think you need a letter to apply for a job? The answer is yes. A job application
letter, also known as cover letter, is usually sent with a resume.

Discussion
What is a job application letter?
How can a good job application letter help to secure a job interview?
How does a resume contribute to the content of a job application letter?

Criteria of a Good Job Application Letter

Activity 1

Tick (√) in the box if the statement is true regarding job application letter.

No. Statement Tick (√)

1. It should not contain any spelling or typing errors. /

2. It does not need to address to any particular person. X

3. It should be written using the applicant’s own words. /

4. Applicant does not have to include previous work experience. X

5. It should contain the applicant’s contact information. /

6. It can be written in 3 pages. X

7. It can be written using casual and informal language. X

8. Applicant does not have to state the desired position.

The employer will determine the position suitable for him or her. X

9. Applicant is advised to write emotionally to convince the

employers. X

10. It may include the applicant’s picture. X

1
Activity 2

Read the sample job application letter below and answer the following question.
Sample Job Application Letter
Jasmiza Kamarudin
83, Jalan 2/3,
Bangi Perdana,
43650 Bandar Baru Bangi,
Selangor.

24 February 2020

Ernst & Young,

Menara Millennium,
7-01, Jalan Damanlela ,
Pusat Bandar Damansara,
50490 Kuala Lumpur.

Dear Sir,

Application for Associate Auditor at Ernst & Young

I am interested to apply for a position as an associate auditor at your firm as

advertised on your official website. I firmly believe that the position offered by your
company perfectly fits my career goals and objectives.

The role is very appealing to me, and I am certain that your company can achieve
greater accomplishments as I possess priceless experience during my industrial
training at 1Grant Thornton Malaysia as an audit trainee. With a bachelor degree in
Accountancy, you can expect an employee who has comprehensive understanding of
financial and accounting credentials. Moreover, the achievements that I obtained
during my study may reflect my commitment in fulfilling any tasks given and in support
of that, I was awarded with various academic and leadership awards at the national
level. Besides that, working under pressure and multitasking have always been the
obstacles I am able to endure in completing my job.

Enclosed is my resume for your future references. You can contact me via my phone
number 0123952902 or email jasmiza.kamarudin@yahoo.com. I hope to be given an
opportunity to be called for an interview to present myself. Thank you for your time
and consideration.

Best regards,
JAsmizA
Jasmiza Kamarudin
0123952902
jasmiza.kamarudin@yahoo.com

What information should be included in the body paragraphs of a job application letter?

Mentioning the job position that the applicant is interested and state
a) Paragraph 1 why you are suitable for that position.

Applicants should describe what they can offer to the

b) Paragraph 2 employer. They need to mention specifically how their skills and
experience match the job position.

Conclude the job application letter by thanking the employer for

considering you for the position. Include contact information for the
c) Paragraph 3
hiring manager so that they will be able to contact the applicant.

Activity 3

Read the body paragraphs below and analyse the information given. According to your
answers in Activity 2, label the paragraphs below as Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2 or
Paragraph 3.

1. Attached herewith is a resume for additional information

on my experience. I can be reached anytime via my
phone number 012-3456789 or email Paragraph 3
khairi.amin@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and
consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about
this employment opportunity.
2. I am writing to apply for the programmer position
advertised on Times Union website. I have the required Paragraph 2
skills, qualifications and experience to make a significant
contribution to your organisation.
 3. My experience has taught me how to build strong
relationships with all departments in an organisation. I
have the ability to work within a team as well as cross- Paragraph 2
team. I can work with web engineers to resolve technical
issues and implement technical enhancements.

4. I have attached my resume for your consideration and

hope to speak with you soon about your needs for the role. Paragraph 3

5. Apart from that, I did not involve myself in teaching per

say, but I have also challenged myself in fields other than
teaching. For example, I expanded my administrative
skills by joining a training in Kuala Lumpur as an
Paragraph 2
administration executive. My communication skills had
been refined and of course I became better in
administrative skills. Therefore, I can guarantee that the
skills I have acquired will definitely prepare me to be the
best candidate for this position.

6. With regards to the above matter, I am interested to apply

the position as an English substitute teacher at MRSM
Serting as it was my former school. It is highly suitable, Paragraph 1
and it meets my degree qualification in English as a
Second Language.

Components of a Job Application Letter

Discussion

What are the important components to be included in a job application letter? List
down the components.
Activity 4

The following is a poorly written job application letter. Identify the missing components
and improve the job application letter. A sample job advertisement and resume are
provided for your reference.

Sample Job Advertisement

 Sample Resume

RESUME

MUHAMMAD ALI BIN FARUQI

850719-01-1665
No. 13, Jalan Aliff Harmoni 6/7,
Taman Aliff Puteri,
81200 Johor Bahru,
Johor Darul Ta’zim.
Tel. No.: 019-3683266
E-mail: alifaruqi85@gmail.com

CAREER OBJECTIVE

I am keen to work in demanding and effortful vicinity where each work requires high efficiency.

EMPLOYMENT

1. June 2007 – October 2014 Assistant Marketing Manager,

Binsabi Tents Sdn. Bhd.
Lot 3, Jalan Sungai Besar 1,
Taman Sungai Kecil,
81200 Johor Bahru,
Johor Darul Ta’zim.

Responsibilities:

 Compiled and distributed financial and statistical information such as budget

spreadsheets
 Wrote reports, company brochures and similar documents.
 Organized and hosted presentations and customer visits

2. Oct 2014 – Aug 2018 Marketing Executive

TPM Southern Stationaries Sdn. Bhd.
Level 01-02, Ismail Ali Tower,
Jalan Kebanggaan,
81200 Johor Bahru,
Johor Darul Ta’zim.
 Responsibilities:

⚫ Conducted research and analysed data to identify and define audiences

⚫ Presented ideas and strategies to improve company’s sale.
⚫ Conducted promotional activities all around Malaysia.
⚫ Developed marketing campaigns for the company.

EDUCATION

Diploma in Marketing 2003 - 2006

SEGI University, Malaysia
CGPA: 3.011

Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia 2002

SMK Bandar Lambaian,
Johor Bahru, Johor

Penilaian Menengah Rendah 2000

SMK Bandar Lambaian,
Johor Bahru, Johor

EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

2003 Participant in Kem Bina Negara Besut, Terengganu

2003 Member, Outdoors Recreations Committee

2004 University Representative for Quiz Juara Minda, organised by

RTM

2004 Board of Students Representative Council, SEGI University

2005 Facilitator of Orientation Programme (SEGI University)

2005 Fellow of Student Association at hostel level

SKILLS

 Possess the ability to work within minimum supervision

 Well versed with the Microsoft Office (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint)

 Good communication skill in Malay and English languages

 Capable and eligible to hold the helm of leadership

 INTERESTS

Sports, Leadership, Travel, Business and Mathematics

REFERENCES

Fuad Rahimi Bin Husni Jaidi

Marketing Manager,
Binsabi Tents Sdn. Bhd.
Tel. No.: 07-2328244

Nur Afidah Binti Baidi

Marketing Manager,
TPM Southern Stationaries Sdn. Bhd.
Tel. No.: 07-2385385

Sample Job Application Letter

Muhammad Ali Bin Faruqi,

No. 13, Jalan Aliff Harmoni 6/7,
Taman Aliff Puteri,
81200 Johor Bahru,
Johor Darul Ta’zim.

With regards to the above matter, I am interested to apply for the position as a
Marketing Executive in Talnoor Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. as advertised recently on the
Internet. I believe the skills and experience I have will greatly contribute to the
success of your company.

As you can see in my resume, I graduated with a Diploma in Marketing in SEGI

University in 2006 and have various work experience. You can be assured that my
past experience as a marketing executive will help me to perform the job efficiently.
My key strengths that would support my success in this position include my excellent
interpersonal and communication skills and also the ability to work independently.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon and to be
given an opportunity to present myself with an interview.
Ali FAruqi

MUHAMMAD ALI FARUQI

Identify and list down the missing components in the job application letter above.

a) Date, Contact person, Title of contact person, Name and address of company
b) Salutation by mentioning the name of contact person if possible
c) Topic
d) Does not state the work experiences, skill or ability in detail
e) Contact information is not included
f) The closing of letter was not written properly.

Improve the job application letter by adding the missing components identified in the
previous question.

Muhammad Ali Bin Faruqi,

No. 13, Jalan Aliff Harmoi 6/7,
Taman Aliff Puteri,
81200 Johor Bahru,
Johor Darul Ta’zim.

2 SEPTEMBER 2018

Talnoor Enterprise Sdn. Bhd.,

Lot 869-1, Zon Industri Sg. Sop,
Jalan Sg. Sop, Batu 14,
43100 Hulu Langat,
Selangor Darul Ehsan

Dear Sir,

Application for Marketing Executive at Talnoor Enterprise Sdn. Bhd.

With regards to the above matter, I am interested to apply for the position as a
Marketing Executive in Talnoor Enterprise Sdn. Bhd. as advertised recently on the
Internet. I believe the skills and experience I have will greatly contribute to the
success of your company.
The role is very appealing to me and I believe that my strong technical experience
and education make me a highly competitive candidate for this position. My key
strengths that would support my success in this position include my excellent
interpersonal and communication skills and also the ability to work independently.
As you can see in my resume, I graduated with a Diploma in Marketing in SEGI
University in 2006, I have a comprehensive understanding of the full lifecycle about
marketing.
I also have various work experience which include:
 I had compiled and distributed financial and statistical information such as
budget spreadsheets
 I had wrote reports, company brochures and similar documents.
 I have successfully organized and hosted presentations and customer visits
 I able to conducted research and analysed data to identify and define
audiences
 I have effectively presented ideas and strategies to improve company’s sale.
 I succeeded to conducted promotional activities all around Malaysia.
 I had managed to develop marketing campaigns for the company.

You can be assured that my past experience as a marketing executive will help me
to perform the job efficiently.
Enclosed is my resume for your future references. I can be reached via email at
alifaruqi85@gmail.com or by cell phone, 019-3683266. Thank you for your time
and consideration. I hope to hear from you soon and to be given an opportunity to
present myself with an interview.

Sincerely,

Ali FAruqi

MUHAMMAD ALI FARUQI

Language Focus

Present Perfect Tense

Discussion

I have studied in Universiti Putra Malaysia.

I studied in Universiti Putra Malaysia two years ago.

The sentences above use different types of tenses. When do you use present
perfect tense? Discuss the usage of present perfect tense and simple past tense.

Activity 5

Analyse the errors in the paragraphs below and correct them using the suitable tenses
(present perfect tense/ past tense).

1. Furthermore, in order to handle the job, any tasks given to me can surely be
fulfilled as I equip myself with valuable knowledge and skills to work as sport and
recreation assistant. For example, the certificates I received based on the first aid
and basic outdoor recreation skills training I attend in 2018 may highlight my
ability in doing the job.

Correction:

2. Your organisation should see me as an outgoing person as I enjoy doing

volunteer works. I volunteer for bird count every month in Seri Serdang since I
was in university. Plus, multiple research regarding birds are done by my
research team when we do our final research project during my undergraduate
study, and
 hopefully the knowledge I have based on the research we did can help in
improving the city.
Correction:

3. I recently graduate from Universiti Putra Malaysia with a Bachelor of

Accountancy. Throughout the four years of studying, I gain a lot of knowledge
related to the field for instance MIA, MIQC, ACCA and ICAEW as that knowledge
is required by both local and international accounting bodies. Moreover, I expose
myself to get used to work environment as I opt to work as an account assistant
on a part time basis.

Correction:

4. Your company will surely be benefited by hiring me as I have valuable

experience in dealing with foreign clients. In my previous work experience, I
manage to close huge deals contributing to large amount of profit for the
company. Apart from that, in order to boost my confidence and help to
communicate with my foreign clients, I undergo a number of foreign language
classes in 2018.

Correction:
Reader-Centered Writing

Discussion
What do you understand about reader-centered writing?
What is the significance of applying this style in a job application letter?

Activity 6

Read the samples below and analyse the language used.

Applicant 1

Dear Mr. Adam Zhafril,

Application for Programmer Position

I am writing to apply for the Programmer position advertised in The Star dated 20 July
2019. As requested, I am enclosing a job application, my certification and my resume.

I find the job specification listing in your advertisement interesting. I believe that my
strong experience and education background will make me a very competitive
candidate for the position. I have a bachelor in Computer Science from Universiti
Putra Malaysia. I have full understanding of how to contribute positively towards a
word-class company since I have experienced and have been exposed to research
and full cycle of a software development project. I also have experience in learning
and excelling at new technologies as required.

I attached my resume for additional information on my experience. I can be reached

anytime via my phone number 012-6236245 or email khairi.amin@gmail.com. Thank
you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this
employment opportunity.
 Applicant 2

Dear Mr Adam Zhafril,

Application for Programmer Position

I am writing to apply for the Programmer position advertised in The Star dated 20
January 2020. As requested, I am enclosing a job application, my certification and my
resume.

The job specification listing in your advertisement is very interesting, and surely my
strong experience and education background will make me a very competitive
candidate for the position. With a bachelor in Computer Science from Universiti Putra
Malaysia, the tasks given to me can absolutely be executed well as I have full
understanding of how to contribute positively towards a word-class company since I
have experienced and have been exposed to research and full cycle of a software
development project. The experience I have in learning and excelling at new
technologies may also grant valuable and beneficial contribution to your company.

If you have any inquiry, you can refer to my resume attached with the letter. You can
reach me anytime via my phone number 012-6236245 or email
khairi.amin@gmail.com. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to
speaking with you about this employment opportunity.

1. Position yourself as a hiring manager. Which applicant would you prefer to hire?

2. What are the differences between Sample 1 and Sample 2 in terms of the
language and tone used?
Persuasive Language in Job Application Letter

Discussion
What is persuasive language?
What is the effect of using persuasive language in a job application letter?

Activity 7

List down suitable persuasive language expressions that can be used in a job
application letter.

a)
b)
c)
d)

Activity 8

Fill in the blanks below with suitable persuasive language.

Maream Esabel Eidrees

33, Jalan Alza 9
Bandar Bestari Axia
81700 Pasir Gudang
Johor Darul Ta’zim

19 August 2019

Human Resources Manager

Malaysian National Chemist Sdn. Bhd.
Plot 45, Jalan Genting 1
Pasir Gudang Industrial Complex
81700 Pasir Gudang
Johor Darul Ta’zim

Dear Sir,
An Application for the Post of Chemist

(1) for the position of Chemist in your

company as advertised on Jobstreet.com on 10 August 2019.

I have just graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Science from Universiti
Putra Malaysia. I managed to gain a lot of experience and developed my research
skills while completing my final year project on the Jatropha oils in aspects of
epoxidation for lubricant making processes. (2) , this project exposed me to
working with the laboratory tools and instruments such as the IR spectroscopy, NMR
spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy and TGA.

(3) , my two-month internship at the Quality Control Laboratory of

Premium Vegetable Oils Sdn Bhd required me to prepare samples for analysis, test
oil samples that meet the ISO standard and record data according to the laboratory
standard operating procedures. (4) , the responsibilities involved
helped sharpen my analytical skills and taught me to be meticulous and organised.

(5) , you will also notice from my resume that my position as the
President of the Orienteering Club and member of the Chemistry Club have
(6) developed my leadership and decision-making skills, which are

relevant skills for the position offered. Hence, (7) I

have the skills and experience you are looking for.

I have attached my resume and other relevant documents for your favorable
consideration. You can reach me anytime via my phone number 012-8822878 or
email maream_ee@gmail.com. I look forward to attending an interview at your
convenience.

Thank you.

Yours faithfully,

Maream Esabel

Maream Esabel Eidrees

Activity 9

Based on the sample job advertisement and sample resume given, write an outline for a
job application letter in the space provided. After that, write a complete job application
letter. Incorporate the correct usage of tenses, reader centered writing and persuasive
language in your letter.

Sample Job Advertisement

Sample Resume
 Job Application Letter Outline

Position desired

Source of job vacancy

Relevant academic qualification

Strengths
(Match applicant’s resume with the job
requirement)

Contact information
(phone & email)
Job Application Letter