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LETTERS OF APPLICATION (COVERING LETTERS)The letter of application often provides the first direct contact between a candidate and an employer. If this letter is not well written and presented, it will make a poor impression. The letter of application normally contains four paragraphs in which you should: § confirm that you wish to apply and say where you learned about the job § say why you are interested in the position and relate your interests to those of the company § show that you can contribute to the job by highlighting your most relevant skills and experience § indicate your willingness to attend an interview (and possibly say when you would be free to attend) Ex.1. Here is an example of a letter of application. Notice how it is laid out.
1) Your address. Include your postcode. 2) One blank line in between. The date - this is the preferred order, but the month may come first. It is better not to put the month as a number, e.g.12.2.88 - as this can be confusing. American usage would be 2.12.88. 3) The name and address of the person to whom you are writing. Include the postcode. 4) One blank line. Salutation (most forms of salutation start with Dear...,) Other possibilities are: Dear Sirs, (you know there are several people) Gentlemen! (several men - US usage) Dear Madam,....................... Dear Sir,.......... 5) Introduction. With reference to your advertisement in... for... I am writing in reply to your advertisement... I am applying for the position of... as advertised in... I wish to apply for the post of... 6) Explain why you are applying. Here the applicant is informing the editor how his qualifications match those required. He could have used some kind of formula to introduce his explanation, such as: I feel that my qualifications match your requirements... My qualifications are as follows... I feel I would be suitable for this post because... I wish to gain experience of... Having already worked as... for (time) I wish to extend my experience/feel I could be useful to you... 7) Give further details. The details given here may have been asked for in the advertisement. An employer may want to know if a candidate has held any positions of responsibility. Or the applicant may feel they are of interest to the employer. But you should not spend too much time on such details. Please find enclosed /I enclose... ...the names and addresses of... referees... …my curriculum vitae/CV (personal data sheet - US usage) 8) Make some reference to hearing from the employer. I could come for an interview at any time which would suit you I am available for interview... I should be glad to attend an interview... I look forward to hearing from you... 9) The close. This is usually Yours faithfully, where the salutation is Dear Sir, etc. Yours sincerely, is used with a salutation such as Dear Mr Brown, /Dear Mrs Jones, Yours respectfully,/truly, should be avoided in modem British usage. 10) The signature. Sign in your usual 'formal' way – e.g. as on your identity card or on cheques. It is advisable to print your name afterwards as people's signatures are often illegible. Note that a letter of application should always look neat. Well-typed letters look good, but some employers specify handwritten letters.
Ex.2. Read the following letter of application and replace the underlined sentences with more appropriate ones from ex.1.
Ex.3.Which of these endings to job application letters are most (least) effective? Why? Which encourage the reader to look favourably on the application?
Dear Sirs, Referring to your advertisement in the Cambridge Evening News on Monday 9th September I wish to apply for the job of a commercial banker. ... In order to improve my English skills I would like to work for about two years in England and I think the position as a junior commercial banker would fit with my imagination. I am ready for further discussions. Give me a ring or write to me. Yours faithfully, __________________________________ Dear Sirs, I would like to apply for the post of International Corporate Finance Manager, advertised in last Tuesday's Daily Telegraph. ... I have a good knowledge of English and German, and I am learning Spanish. I enclose my curriculum vitae and will be available for interview any day after September 1. My present position is subject to one month's notice. I look forward to your reply. Yours faithfully, __________________________________ Dear Sir or Madam, I should like to apply for the post of assistant manager in your Sales Development Department, Far East, advertised recently in the Financial Times. ... Besides my mother tongue, German, I can also speak English and Japanese fairly well. If you feel that my qualifications meet your requirements, I shall be pleased to come for an interview. Please find enclosed a curriculum vitae, educational reports and certificates of training. Yours faithfully, _____________________________________ Dear Mr Barnwell, I am a 24 year-old girl and I am interested in your advertisement for the job of secretary/receptionist advertised in yesterday's newspaper. ... I can type and take shorthand, I enjoy contact with people and I am a willing and responsible person. I am very interested in the job you are offering and reckon myself to be the right person for it. I look forward to hearing from you, Yours sincerely, ____________________________________ Ex.4.What kind of letters do employers like to receive? Tick what you think correct.
§ correctly spelled § containing your life history § friendly § detailing relevant experience
§ detailing your failures § detailing your qualifications § long and chatty § short and to the point
Read this letter. Do you think the writer will get the job? Why?   ЧТО ТАКОЕ УВЕРЕННОЕ ПОВЕДЕНИЕ В МЕЖЛИЧНОСТНЫХ ОТНОШЕНИЯХ? Исторически существует три основных модели различий, существующих между...  Конфликты в семейной жизни. Как это изменить? Редкий брак и взаимоотношения существуют без конфликтов и напряженности. Через это проходят все...  Что способствует осуществлению желаний? Стопроцентная, непоколебимая уверенность в своем...  Что вызывает тренды на фондовых и товарных рынках Объяснение теории грузового поезда Первые 17 лет моих рыночных исследований сводились к попыткам вычислить, когда этот... Не нашли то, что искали? Воспользуйтесь поиском гугл на сайте:
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