STUDENT SUCCESS DEPARTMENT MEETING
faculty room
HERMIONE WEASLY
SSD Chair
IRENE ADLER EDWARD KALLEN
Teacher Guidance Councelor
CONFERENCE
TABLE
NICK JONES
ANA KARENINA
Student Support
Teacher
Officer
LAST FIVE (5)
MINUTES
The
APPLICATION LETTER
A job application letter (also known as a cover letter)
is a letter you send with your resume to provide
information on your skills and experience. This letter
is your chance to “sell” yourself to an employer,
explaining why you are an ideal candidate for a
position.
• Solicited Letters are those written in response to
advertisements.
• Unsolicited letters are those based on some clues on
job openings from other people or based on the
writer’s belief of a possible opening in the company.
• Blind advertisement letters are letters from
advertisements that does not reveal the identity of the
employer or the specific requirements of the position.
Tips on writing a job application letter
Do not duplicate your resume. The
purpose of this letter is to show that you are a strong candidate, and to
highlight your relevant experience and abilities. Since your application
letter will be accompanied by your resume, make sure the letter does not
duplicate your resume exactly. Your resume is a general record of your
experience, education, and accomplishments. In contrast, your
application letter should show how exactly your background makes you
a good fit for a particular position.
Tailor each application letter to the
job. As mentioned above, emphasize in your letter
why you are an ideal candidate for the specific job.
This requires that you personalize each letter to fit
the specific company and position. Here's
information on how you can closely match your
qualifications to the job posting.
Be professional. Application letters have a
fairly rigid format — as hiring managers read your
letter, they will expect to see certain information
included in set areas. You have freedom within the
structure to be personable, but it is important to stick
to a certain level of formality. Pay particular
attention to the professionalism of
your salutation and what you call the employer.
Use business letter format. Use
the official business letter format when writing
your letter. Include your contact information at
the top, the date, and the employer’s contact
information. Be sure to provide a salutation at
the beginning, and your signature at the end.
Edit, edit, edit. Employers are likely to
overlook an application with a lot of errors.
Therefore, read through your cover letter, and even
consider asking a friend or career counselor to read
the letter. Proofread any grammar or spelling
errors.
How to write a job application letter
First Paragraph – to attract the attention of the
prospective employer
1st sentence – the way the writer came to
know of the job opening
2nd sentence – the exact purpose of the
writer
Types of Opening Paragprahs
1. Summary opening. Present your strongest, most relevant
qualifications, with an explanation of how they can benefit the
organization.
I understand that a continuing writer in your station must be
interested in and knowledgeable about different types of music.
She must be an achiever and eager to advance professionally. On
top of these, she must have the ability to write. I possess these
qualifications and should like to be considered for the job.
2. Name opening. Mention the name of the person who
is well known to the reader and who has suggested that
you apply for a job.
Dr. Jose P. Lamug, a UP professor, has informed me of
an opening in your company for an accounting major
who is interested in managerial accounting. I would like
to be considered for the position.
3. Source opening. When responding to a job ad, identify the
publication in which the ad appeared and briefly describe how
you meet the requirements stated in the ad.
Your advertisement in the June 21 issue of the Manila Bulletin
attracted my attention to apply for this job because I believe that
I have the qualifications to meet your requirements for the
position.
4. News item opening. Cite a publicized organizational
achievement, contemplated change, or new procedure or
product, and then link it to your desire to work for the
organization.
In the last month’s issue of the Women’s Journal, I read
an article about your intention to open a Baguio city
branch office that will be needing two accountants.
Please consider me as an applicant for this position.
5. Question opening. Pose an attention-getting question
that shows how you understand an organization’s
problems, needs, or goals, and have a genuine desire to
help solve, meet, or attain them.
Do you need a secretary who can speak French, Spanish,
Japanese, and English fluently and who has experienced
working for a prestigious firm in New York? If you do, I
should like to be considered for this position.
6. Personalized opening. Present on of your relevant
interests or views, mention your previous experience
with the organization, or cite your present status as a
means of leading into a discussion of why you want to
work for the organization.
My interest is people and the way to evaluate their
financial status. To do this, I have to apply for your
Account Executive training program.
7. Creative opening. Demonstrate your flare and imagination
with colourful phrasing especially if the job requires these
qualities.
Before, there was imperialism.
Today, there’s globalization.
Tomorrow, there will be fusion of all isms.
But, come what may, I’m the same Juan dela Cruz, possessing
the following qualifications for the position of credit lending
officer.
Second paragraph – to create the employer’s interest
or desire in your application
1st sentence – educational attainment including
scholastic honors received (1-3 sentences)
2nd sentence – work experience, training sessions
attended (1-3 sentences)
3rd sentence – most desirable characteristics and
skills that are related to the target job (1-3 sentences)
Third paragraph – to make the employer believe that you are the
right person the company has been looking for
1st sentence – attachments or enclosures of proofs of your
qualifications such as diploma, TOR, certificates, and others
2nd sentence – evidence of personal qualities, work attitudes, and
special skills that are desirable for job performance
3rd sentence – references who can vouch for your education,
experience, and character
Example
Attached are the photocopies of my transcript of records
and diploma. enclosed, here, too, are certificates to
prove my official designation or active membership in
various organizations and significant accomplishments
in my area of specialization. Upon your request, I
should be glad to give references.
Fourth paragraph – To urge your employer to act on your
application letter
1st sentence – request for an interview
2nd sentence – exact information about the place, time
of the interview, plus your contact number
Any of these two sentences should express words of
appreciation for an opportunity for interview.
Example
I shall appreciate your meeting me at your most
convenient time, so I can discuss my qualifications for
starting a career with your company. You can reach me
through this contact number 0912 345 6789 or through
e-mail at delacruzjuan@[Link].