LETTER OF

APPLICATION
 01
COVER LETTER
 WHAT IS COVER LETTER?

● Personal letter to potential employer

● Mailed with your resume

● To convince that you are ideal to be hired/ to invite to an interview

● 4 types of cover letters: experienced-oriented, achievement-

oriented, benefit-oriented, creative.

 Experience-oriented cover letter

● Stress your work history

● Show how your experience, background, and skills match the

employer’s requirements.

● Demonstrate a high level of expertise and proficiency

 Why you are
especially 2 previous Highlight Ask for
State position positions special skills interview
qualified

Dear Mr. Ha-Keim,

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 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, and I shall try to contact you next week. I find your position challenging and exciting, and
I would like to talk with you about the feasibility of work-ing at Center Plaza.

Yours sincerely,
 Tips
● Format: Simple

● Formal, Active voice

● Handy phrases:

○ In response to your help-wanted ad, I am writing to inquire

about jobs opening. May I be of help to you? Would it make

sense for us to get together? I believe I can make a positive

contribution
 Achievement-oriented cover letter

● Combines great qualifications and great results achieved in

previous positions
 Why you are 2 previous
especially positions and Specific Asking for
Position achievements interview
qualified special skills

Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick:

For the past five years I have been successfully handling construction management in a very large general
contracting business. I am now changing positions, and I feel that your organization might need my services.

I know both construction management and construction engineering. Among my accomplishments are these:
• With Atlas Construction Co. during the past five years, I’ve had personal direct charge at the job
site for building construction worth $50 million.
• I know the techniques of maintaining construction on schedule.
• I have years of contract administration success.
• I understand the value of cost control and the necessity for profit in building construction.

If you will let me talk with you for about 20 minutes, I believe I can assure you of my value. I am available upon
normal notice. My résumé is enclosed.

For your current or future need, may I come in?

Very truly yours,

 Benefit-oriented cover letter

● For novice, recent college graduate or switching fields

● Not much relevant job experience

● What you can and will do for the employer

 Relevant experience +
Position credentials Asking for interview

Dear Mr. Fitzpatrick:

I would like to be considered a candidate for the position of Project Coordinator in the federally funded program to
increase the representation of women in technical education. This is an area that has long deserved attention and it is
an area which I have given much thought.

Recently, I assumed full directorship of a nonprofit agency dealing with professional level career changers and job
seekers. Prior to assuming full, overall supervision of the agency, my specific organizational responsibilities were
coordinating, scheduling, supervising, and evaluating a workshop program. In addition, I have played a major role in
outreach/publicity, editing the agency’s newsletter and appearing on television and radio to impart information
concerning the organization and its programs.

To your project I can bring:

• Demonstrated ability in organizational administration
• Solid experience in program planning and development
• A working knowledge of methods of outreach to business and the community at large

I would be happy to meet with you in order to discuss my background and experience relative to your needs, and will
call your office early next week to see if we can find a time.

Sincerely,
 Tips

● Handy Phrases: I’m interested in; I am applying for; I am writing to

find out whether [enthusiasm, commitment, interest] is a good fit.

● Do not volunteer that you are relatively inexperienced or apologize

for your lack of credentials in any way. If the employer is going to

conclude that you are not qualified, let her come to this conclusion

on her own; do not help her toward it.

02
WRITING
 USEFUL PHRASES

Paragraph 1

● I wish to apply for the post of … which was advertised in ……

● With reference to your advertisement in the ….., I should like to apply for the

position of …
 Paragraph 2

● As you will see from my enclosed CV, I have four years' experience in …
● At present I am employed as a ... by the ……., a position I have held for …. years.

● In the course of my present job, I have been responsible for the planning and
organization of …
● My duties have included secretarial work as well as …

● I graduated in …… from ……. University in ……...

I was employed as …………. with ………………from 1988 to 1992.
● I attended the ……., where I obtained ……….. in …….

● I am used to working under pressure / working to a deadline working as part of a team.

 Reason for leaving jobs
● I left (old employer) because (new employer) offered me a chance to use my
(languages, IT training, etc.).

● I was offered a chance to join (company) where there was an opportunity for
further training and experience in
● I was offered the post of Senior Technician by (company) in (date), and therefore

left (company) in order to...

● I joined (company) in (date) as part of their new Eastern Europe sales team. This
was an excellent opportunity to...
 Previous experience
● I left (old employer) because (new employer) offered me a chance to use my
(languages, IT training, etc.).

● I was offered a chance to join (company) where there was an opportunity for
further training and experience in
● I was offered the post of Senior Technician by (company) in (date), and therefore

left (company) in order to...

● I joined (company) in (date) as part of their new Eastern Europe sales team. This
was an excellent opportunity to...
 Paragraph 3

● I believe the post you offer will give me the opportunity to ...
● I am especially keen to work in an organization such as yours which has a

reputation for ...

● I feel that my present position offers little prospect of promotion
● I will be glad to supply you with any further information you may need ....... have

agreed to act as my referees.

 03
What should be avoided?
 Adjectives showing how fantastic you are:

My broad experience and range of skills make me a superior candidate for this
position.
I also have a wide breadth of invaluable experience of the type that gives you
the versatility to place me in a number of contexts with confidence that the
level of excellence you expect will be met. … … … I hope that you’ll find my
experience, interests, and character intriguing enough to warrant a face-to-
face meeting, as I am confident that I could provide value to you and your
customers as a member of your team.
 Don’t overstate or exaggerate

In addition to my extensive office experience, I have excellent communication

skills. I always maintain a mature, gracious and professional manner when
communicating with people, even when difficulties arise.

=> social skills: no concrete evidence

THANK YOU ~