Writing a

Cover Letter

Business English Writing

ENGL 3221
Ajarn Haha
Learning Outcomes

• Define a cover letter

• Understand an effective technique to create a persuasive
document
• Identify the basic elements of a cover letter
• Write an impactful and complete cover letter by using
the AIDA approach and incorporating the basic
elements
Cover Letter

introduces you to the person

who is hiring for the job.
The cover letter isn’t
about you;
it’s about what you
can do for the
employer.
 No more than page long

Times New Roman

Font size not smaller than 10

Format of but not bigger than 12
Cover Letter
Persuasive
Document
AIDA approach

• Attention
• Interest
• Desire
• Action
Attention

• Not too fancy and cutesy in opening statements

• “I would like to apply for the marketing manager position advertised in The Los
Angeles Times on May 3, 2018.”

• “Joanna Kelsey, a friend of mine who works in your accounting department, told
me that your company is looking for a junior accounting clerk, and I would like
to apply for this position.”
Interest

• Describes, with concrete and specific detail,

your skills, experience, and knowledge, thereby
building the employer’s interest in you
• Job advertisement will list in detail what the
employer is looking for
Sample skills on job
advertisement
• successfully completed a recognized two-year technical diploma or a university
degree program in computer science/information technology;
• a minimum of seven years related IT experience;
• a minimum of four years project management experience;
• superior interpersonal and leadership skills;
• strong verbal and written English communication skills;
• the ability to work under pressure with multiple priorities;
• the ability to work in a team environment;
• the ability to perform successfully under limited supervision;
• strong problem-solving, analytical, and decision-making abilities;
• fully proficient use of MS Office, MS Outlook, MS Visio, MS Project, and other
office tools; and
• a background in IT, including systems development lifecycle, methodologies,
estimating, etc
What to do?
• Show you’ve got these skills (or most of them, or skills that
look similar)
• Cite your works (including volunteer experience)
• list your experience, skills, and qualifications, be concrete
and specific
• give the employer a mental picture of what you’ve done
• If you have most of the requirements, tell the employer that
you are either studying to get the missing skills now or will
get them in the near future
Desire
• Making an emotional connection
• How would be a great fit with the employer’s
mission and other employees
• “Who you are?”
• Overcome employer’s resistance to hire you
• personal qualities the employer is looking for
and reveal how much you want to work for this
company
Action

• Follow-up after submitting the documents

• “Perhaps we could schedule an interview in the
next week, at your convenience. I am available
at any time.”
Attention
Interest
Desire
Action
Elements of the
cover letter
• Sender Address
• Return Address
• Date
• Inside Address
• Salutation
• Subject
• Opening
• Focus
• Action
• Closing
• Complimentary Close
• Signature
• Typed Name
• Enclosure
Sender Address

Date

Return Address

Salutation

Subject
Opening

Focus
 Action
and Closing

Complimentary Close
Signature
Typed Name
Sender contacts

Enclosure
Write the salutation for a cover letter for the following jobs. Don't forget
the colon.
Complete these opening sentences. Use
the prepositions about, for, in, and on.

1. I saw your advertisement _________ a customer service

representative _______ the May 13 Herald Tribune.
2. I am applying the position of administrative assistant
announced the A-Way.com Web site.
3. _________ the lronGate.com Web site, I read _______ an
opening ________ a receptionist.
4. Your colleague, Jannie Qin, told me ________ the executive
assistant opening.
Write sentences that describe your experience and
skills and explain how you are suited for the job on
the advertisement.
1. My work experience matches your
requirements.__________
2. My qualifications fit your needs.
_______________
3. My skills match the job requirements.
_____________
4. I have the skills required. _________________
5. I meet the job requirements. _______________
The ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT will work
with the general manager. The individual will
manage schedules. order supplies. prepare expense
reports, and perform general word processing. The
admin. asst. will be responsible for mailings, faxes,
photocopying and filing. Candidates must be familiar
with word processing programs.
Successful candidates must also have excellent
communication skills.
A high school degree and a minimum of 2 years of
experience are required.
NetLives offers a fun. dynamic. and innovative work
environment
Write G if the action has a general time
or S if the action has a specific time.

1. I will contact you early next week.

2. I will call you on Tuesday morning to make an
appointment.
3. I will e-mail you next week to arrange an
interview.
4. On Friday, I will call your assistant to set up an
interview.
5. I will telephone you tomorrow to answer any
questions you have.
Rewrite these sentences using the
expression I look forward to [+ -ing
verb]
1. I want to work with IronGate. _____________
2. I'd like to talk to you next week.
_______________
3. I'd like to meet with you. _____________
4. I probably should discuss my interest in A-Way
with you. _______________
5. I hope I can contribute to your
team.___________
 Changi News
July 2.20-
File clerk wanted. Must have high
school degree. Send resume to Mr.
Paul Rook.
Human Resource Director. Island
International 659589.

Vocabulary:
applying
enclosed
forward
interview
part-time
position
Resource
Sincerely
Make your own
cover letter for
your Internship.