NOTES #9: APPLICATION LETTER FOR EMPLOYMENT will save both time and money because I will need

little training on this area.”

What is a job application letter (cover letter)? - In the last part of the body, refer the reader to a
- A job application letter or cover letter is a type of specific part of the resume that suggests your
personal business correspondence which states strongest credentials for the position.
your intention to work in a particular organization.
It should be enclosed every time you send your 3. Conclusion
resume. While some online job applications do - Indicate your interest for an interview at a time
not require an application letter, corporate experts most convenient to the employer. If required,
say that employers are more likely to read a specify the time you are available for an interview.
resume which is accompanied by a cover letter. - Indicate how the interviewer can contact you.
- A cover letter can be a response to a job - Express an expectation of a positive response
advertisement, an unsolicited inquiry to a from the employer.
prospective employer as part of your direct mail - Thank the employer.
strategy, or a letter to a recruitment agency.
Regardless of the circumstance you may find Format and Mechanics
yourself in, it is wise to research about the
company and the job you are interested in. You 1. Use letter-sized bond paper; limit the letter to one
may also call the company’s HR department for or two pages.
further information or to get a copy of the 2. Always sign the letter.
company brochure. 3. Use a letterhead which includes your full name,
address, phone number, and email address.
Parts of a Cover Letter 4. Use a business letter format (block, full block,
1. Introduction semi-block, or simplified).
- Introduce yourself and state your purpose in 5. Use 1 to 1.5 inches margin on all sides.
writing to the receiver. 6. Do not cram the text at the upper half or lower
- Indicate your source of information in learning the half of the page. Be sure to have appropriate page
job vacancy. Was it through a newspaper, fill.
magazine, the Internet, or personal contact? 7. Use white or off-white paper.
- Add an interesting statement about yourself that 8. Use a font size of at least 10 points and maximum
will cause the reader to continue reading your of 12.
credentials.
- Show your enthusiasm to work in the company. Tips in Preparing a Cover Letter
Content
2. Body 1. Never begin your letter with bland and generate
- Present your work experience, academic phrases such as, “Enclosed is my resume for…” To
qualifications, trainings, and some personal be more creative, you may use the following
qualities with specific evidence. strategies:
- Organize your paragraphs accordingly. You may - Begin with a question that stimulates the reader’s
segregate them by theme (one paragraph for work interest.
experience and one for education) or by function - Lead with a name of someone you both know
(management, financial, technical) (e.g., When Dr. Gilda Nomer mentioned your
- Explain the benefits to the employers if they hire name in a conference…)
you. Do not simply give facts; explain how these - Start with a quote that applies to the type of
facts will contribute to the company. business of the employer.
- For instance, instead of merely telling the - Explain how you learned about the opening you
company about all the trainings you had, you may are applying for.
say, “I have extensive training in copy editing. You - remember that although readers, especially
employers, want attention-getters, you do not
 have to resort to a shallow and contrived pitch. It 15. Match your letter to the job description and job
might sound fake, and this alone might harm your requirements. This means that each letter should
chances of being hired. be tailored to the specific job you are applying for.
2. A cover letter must not simply repeat the content
of your resume. Emphasize concrete examples.
3. Address the letter to a specific person. If you do
not know the specific addressee, call the company
and ask.
4. Be specific with the position you are applying for.
Do not use general vacancies.
5. Avoid superfluous information. Do not begin with
“Let me tell you something about myself. My
name is…” Moreover, do not include too much
specific information (dates, numbers, name,
places). Choose and include hard factual
information.
6. Focus on what you can do for the company.
Remember that they are looking for their own
benefit.
7. Avoid mentioning opinions about yourself. When
you claim one, be sure to support it with specific
and factual evidence.
8. Highlight two or three of your most significant
accomplishments or abilities.
9. Use the active voice to indicate a dynamic tone, as
well as powerful verbs that denote action.
10. Be sure to have correct grammar, spelling,
vocabulary, and usage. Avoid jargon, cliches, and
verbosity. Any typographical and grammatical
errors may cause the reader to doubt your
competence.
11. Be direct to the point to keep the attention of your
reader.
12. Be factual. Never misrepresent yourself by
overstating your experience and skills. In other
words, do not exaggerate.
13. Do not beg for the job; that is, do not write
sentences such as, “Please call today! I’ll be
waiting by the phone. I am desperately eager to
start.”
14. As you write, imagine that you are writing a script
for your interview. Translate into words how you
could break the ice at the beginning of the
interview, how you can convey positive personality
while discussing the things you want to talk about,
and how you will express what you hope to get
from the interview.