Lesson 7: Application Letters

An application letter is
Formal
Create enough interest to potential employer
Not too much information
One page and few paragraphs
Sufficient
Specific person for the letter
Neat and free from careless mistakes

A. Vocabulary

Match the following headings to the corresponding part of the letter.

a) Receiver and Address

written to
b) Closing remark
c) Date
d) Personal qualities
e) Experience
f) Reason for writing
g) Salutation
h) Senders address
i) Signature
j) Subscription
B. Target Language
Dear Maam/Sir
I am writing to apply for
I have _____ years of experience in __________.
I am a graduate of _________________.
I can perform the tasks the job calls for.
I feel that my ability to ... will help/enable me to ...
I believe I would be an asset to your company.
I am enclosing a CV and other pertinent documents to serve as a reference.
Should you have more questions, please do not hesitate to contact me on my _______
I am looking forward to __________________________________.
Yours truly, Respectfully yours, Sincerely yours,

TIPS FOR WRITING COVER LETTERS + A SAMPLE COVER LETTER

Always refer to the exact position for which you are applying.

Don't point out too many of your qualifications.

Refer in a positive way to a future interview.

REFERRING TO THE POSITION

I am writing to you in response to your advertisement for...
I would like to apply for the position of ...
I'm interested in applying for ...

POINTING OUT IMPORTANT QUALIFICATIONS

As you can see from my enclosed resume, my experience and qualifications match this position's
requirements.
I would like to point out... immediately upon his return.
During ...., I improved (furthered, extended, etc.) my knowledge of...,
I was responsible for ...

REFERRING TO FUTURE INTERVIEW

I look forward to an opportunity to speak with you in person.
I look forward to speaking with you personally.
I look forward to discussing how I can ...
 COVER LETTER EXAMPLE

2520 Vista Avenue

Olympia, Washington 98501
April 19, 2001

Mr. Bob Trimm, Personnel Manager

Importers Inc.
587 Lilly Road

Dear Mr. Trimm:

I am writing to you in response to your advertisement for a Legal Assistant specializing in

Port Regulatory Law, which appeared in the Seattle Times on Sunday, June 15. As you can
see from my enclosed resume, my experience and qualifications match this position's
requirements.

I especially would like to point out that I graduated Cum Laude from The University of
Tacoma and was hired directly upon graduation due to my expertise in port authority
regulations.

During the four years that I worked for Shoreman and Co., I further deepened my
knowledge of the fast changing regulatory laws in our state. My employer also thought
highly enough of my abilities to promote me to head legal researcher after my first year of
employment.

I look forward to an opportunity to personally discuss the position with you. I will call you
within the next five days to arrange an interview.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Beare

Enclosure
C. Developing Ideas
Contents of the Letter
Senders Address
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Receivers Name, Position, Company and Address
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First Paragraph:

Why are you writing and how did you know about the job opening?
______________________________________________________________________________
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Second Paragraph
What are your qualifications and experiences relevant to the job opening?
______________________________________________________________________________
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Third Paragraph
What qualities do you have that is needed for the job?
______________________________________________________________________________
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Fourth Paragraph
When are you available for interview and how can they contact you?
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