APPLICATION LETTERHOW TO WRITE A FORMAL LETTER OF APPLICATION

What’s an application letter?

A letter of application is sometimes sent, rather than an application

form or CV, in which case the letter should include the information you

would put in a CV but presented in sentences and paragraphs.

It is used to apply for a job.

It’s your opportunity to say why you want the job and to present

yourself as a candidate for the position in a way that impresses a

prospective employer and makes you seem the perfect person for the

job.

General Points

Keep it brief. You don’t need to give a lot of detail. What you are aiming

for is a clear and concise explanation of your suitability for the job.

Begin your letter or email ‘Dear Mr/Mrs/Ms Xxx’ if you know the

person’s name, or ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ if you don’t know their name.

Avoid inappropriate language.

Use brief, informative sentences and short paragraphs.

Check your spelling, grammar, and punctuation carefully.

Format

Your name and address

The date

The person and address you are writing to

Include the person’s name and title if you know it.

Salutation

Dear Mr/ Mrs/ Ms Xxxx

Dear Sir or Madam

Format

Why are you writing:

In response to a job advertisement which you need to quote in

detail

Who you are

Five lines from your CV

Your studies/education

Marketing yourself

Ending

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely, / Yours faithfully,

Paragraphs

Paragraph 1 It should state clearly why you are writing and where you saw the job advertised.

I would like to apply for the post of ... as advertised in today's issue of ..

With reference to your advertisement in ... on ..., I am writing to apply for the position of ...

I would like to apply for the above post (of Trainee Manager) as advertised ...

.

Paragraphs

Paragraph 2 It should give a little information about your qualifications and experience. Make sure the information you give is relevant to the job that you are applying for. As you can see from my enclosed CV, I have

worked in my present position for five years... I am currently a student at HKPU studying …

Although I have been studying full time, I have had a number of summer jobs which have helped me to gain experience in …

My experience over the past two years has been at the managerial level, where I have had responsibility for ...

Paragraphs

Paragraph 3 It should say why you believe you are suited to the job and what you can offer the company. For the last two years I have been working as a

receptionist in … I believe that the experience I have gained in ... has given me the qualities you are looking for ...

I believe I would be an asset to your company. I will be able to bring with me my experience of ... which I believe would be useful in this position ...

I feel that my ability to ... will help/enable me to ...

--This is probably the most important paragraph of the letter. It is also the hardest part to write because you need to "sell yourself" without appearing too arrogant. However, you do need to be quite forceful and direct, showing that you possess the skills for the job you are applying for.

Paragraphs

Paragraph 4 It should tell the reader when you are available for an interview and how to contact you. I would like to have the opportunity to talk to

you further about my application. I am available for interview at any time and I can be contacted at/on ...

I am available for an interview at any time but would appreciate two days notice. I can be contacted on/at ...

I look forward to hearing from/meeting you soon