Job Application LettersJob Application LettersCV/ Resume

Covering Letter

• • To get the recipient to read your To get the recipient to read your CV.CV.

•To convince the employer that •To convince the employer that you are worth to be considered for you are worth to be considered for the position.the position.

Purpose of the job application letter

••ClearClear•Concise•Concise•Straight to the point•Straight to the point•Brief•Brief•Easy to read and follow through•Easy to read and follow through•Informative (should include •Informative (should include absolutely necessary information)absolutely necessary information)

The application letter should be:

▪▪Date LineDate Line▪Inside Address *▪Inside Address *▪Salutation▪Salutation▪Body of the Letter▪Body of the Letter▪Complimentary Close▪Complimentary Close▪Signature▪Signature▪Enclosure(s) Line▪Enclosure(s) Line▪Copy Notation▪Copy Notation

Parts of a Letter

*You include : •the name of the*You include : •the name of the person. person. •their title. •their title. •Company name •Company name •address •address •position of •position of recipient recipient

Simply state why you are writing Simply state why you are writing to them.to them.◊ If it is an advertised position, ◊ If it is an advertised position, mention the position title and mention the position title and where it was advertised.where it was advertised.◊ If it is not advertised specify ◊ If it is not advertised specify that you are applying for any that you are applying for any current or future employment current or future employment opportunitiesopportunities

The Introductory Paragraph

••Two to three paragraphsTwo to three paragraphs•You mention what you have to •You mention what you have to offer and why they should read offer and why they should read your CVyour CV•In one paragraph summarize •In one paragraph summarize your qualifications and skills and your qualifications and skills and respond to the position respond to the position requirements.requirements.

The main body of job application letters

• • Analyze your working(where , Analyze your working(where , how many years) experience and how many years) experience and summarize it in a few sentencessummarize it in a few sentences• Highlight what you specialize in, • Highlight what you specialize in,

• Stress any special duties you • Stress any special duties you might have had that are more might have had that are more closely related to the job you are closely related to the job you are applying for.applying for.

A short description of any A short description of any personal interests, hobbies personal interests, hobbies and skills. If possible relate and skills. If possible relate these to the job requirements.these to the job requirements.

The last part of the main body of your application letter should include:

••It should ask for some action It should ask for some action from the recipient.from the recipient.•This is where you ask for an •This is where you ask for an interview interview •State where and how they •State where and how they can reach youcan reach you•Thank the recipient for giving •Thank the recipient for giving you the opportunity to apply you the opportunity to apply

Closing Paragraph

Introduction: Introduction: Say which position you are Say which position you are interested in. (if it was advertised in the media interested in. (if it was advertised in the media say where)say where) Development: Development: Mention that you have enclosed your CV Mention that you have enclosed your CV Explain why you think you are the appropriate Explain why you think you are the appropriate person for the job by emphasizing the person for the job by emphasizing the qualifications (educational or work experience) qualifications (educational or work experience) included on your CV that are related to the included on your CV that are related to the specific job and it’s duties and responsibilities. specific job and it’s duties and responsibilities. Even if your previous experience or studies are Even if your previous experience or studies are not closely related to the job description give not closely related to the job description give reasons to explain your interest in getting the job. reasons to explain your interest in getting the job.

Conclusion:Conclusion: Inform the reader that you would be Inform the reader that you would be happy to attend an interview at convenient time happy to attend an interview at convenient time and place and give again your contact and place and give again your contact information. Mention that references can be information. Mention that references can be provided if required.provided if required.

••Yours SincerelyYours Sincerely

•Yours Faithfully•Yours Faithfully

•Leave a few spaces for your •Leave a few spaces for your signature and then place your full signature and then place your full name. name.

Ending the letter

••It is not too longIt is not too long

•There are no grammar or spelling •There are no grammar or spelling errorserrors

•That you have answered the job •That you have answered the job requirementsrequirements

•The application letter flows and •The application letter flows and its easy to read.its easy to read.

Make sure