Application Letter Writing
llApplication Letter Writing
The application letter you send with your resume provides you with your first opportunity to present yourself to a potential employer.
It is more than just a brief cover note in which you merely introduce yourself, ask the employer to accept your application, and refer to your attached documents. Together with your resume it provides you with an opportunity to sell yourself as a highly suitable candidate for the job. There are usually two types of application letters – one is a response to an advertised position or personal contact – the other is seeking to be considered for possible vacancies and is often called a ‘speculative’ or ‘cold canvas’ letter. Notes on Application Letter Writing * The letter is a link between your resume and the job or organisation. It is used to emphasise, to highlight or to build on information in your resume, and to convince the organisation you have skills and experience necessary to be the best applicant for the position. * Your application should be specifically tailored to each situation. * You should contact the company and find out additional information such as the name of the person to whom you need to address the letter and whether they can provide you with any additional information about the company e.g. brochures and annual reports. * Use the Library or the Internet to research additional information about the company so that you can tailor your letter specifically to the company. * As the employer might have many applications to read the letter needs to be concise and to the point. An application letter is no more than one page long. Four or five paragraphs will be needed however, to convey your essential messages (see format on the next page). * If the advertisement lists a set of selection criteria then prepare a specific reason to each of these to include with your letter and resume.
Your application letter is much more than a “cover letter” –
The application letter you send with your resume provides you with your first opportunity to present yourself to a potential employer.
It is more than just a brief cover note in which you merely introduce yourself, ask the employer to accept your application, and refer to your attached documents. Together with your resume it provides you with an opportunity to sell yourself as a highly suitable candidate for the job. There are usually two types of application letters – one is a response to an advertised position or personal contact – the other is seeking to be considered for possible vacancies and is often called a ‘speculative’ or ‘cold canvas’ letter. Notes on Application Letter Writing * The letter is a link between your resume and the job or organisation. It is used to emphasise, to highlight or to build on information in your resume, and to convince the organisation you have skills and experience necessary to be the best applicant for the position. * Your application should be specifically tailored to each situation. * You should contact the company and find out additional information such as the name of the person to whom you need to address the letter and whether they can provide you with any additional information about the company e.g. brochures and annual reports. * Use the Library or the Internet to research additional information about the company so that you can tailor your letter specifically to the company. * As the employer might have many applications to read the letter needs to be concise and to the point. An application letter is no more than one page long. Four or five paragraphs will be needed however, to convey your essential messages (see format on the next page). * If the advertisement lists a set of selection criteria then prepare a specific reason to each of these to include with your letter and resume.
Your application letter is much more than a “cover letter” –