The Letter of Application

The letter of application (also called the covering letter) can be as important as the CV in that it often provides the first direct contact between a candidate and an employer. If this letter is not well written and presented, it will make a poor impression. The letter of application normally contains three or more paragraphs in which you should:

confirm that you wish to apply and say where you learned about the job;

say why you are interested in the position and relate your interests to those of the company;

show what you can contribute to the job by highlighting your most relevant skills and experience;

indicate your willingness to attend an interview (and possibly state when you would be free to attend).

Complete Fiona Scott’s letter of application using the following verbs:

contact apply

discuss enjoy

employed notice

welcome advertised

involved matches

Fiona Scott

52 Hanover Street

Edinburgh EH2 5LM

Scotland

UK

8^th January 2004

Nathalie Baudoin

Patagonia GMBH

Reitmorstrasse 50

8000 Munich 22

Germany

Dear Ms Baudoin,

I am writing to (1)_____ for the position of public Affairs Associate which was (2)_____ last week in the International Herald Tribune.

Although I am presently (3)_____ by a non-profit making organization, it has always been my intention to work in a commercial environment. I would particularly (4)_____ the chance to work for your company and as you will (5)_____ on my enclosed curriculum vitae, the job you are offering (6)_____ both my personal and professional interests.

My work experience has familiarized me with many of the challenges (7)_____ in public relations today. I am sure that this, together with my understanding of the needs and expectations of sport and nature enthusiasts, would be extremely relevant to the position. Moreover, as my mother is German, I am fluent in this language and would definitely (8)_____ working in a German-speaking environment.

I would be pleased to (9)_____ my curriculum vitae with you in more detail at an interview. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to (10)_____ me if you require further information. I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Fiona Scott

Fiona Scott

Sender’s address

Date

Inside address

(Receiver’s address)

Salutation

Body of the letter divided into paragraphs

Complimentary close

Signature

Layout of the letter

1. Sender’s address ― is written on the top right-hand side of the page.

2. Date ― is written below the sender’s address, sometimes separated from it by a space. The month should be written in letters.

3. Inside (or receiver’s) address ― is written below the sender’s address on the opposite side of the page.

If the surname of the person you’re writing to is known, you write this on the first line of the address, preceded by a courtesy title and either the person’s initial(s) or his/her first given name.

Eg. Mr J.Smith or Mr John Smith, not Mr Smith.

Courtesy titles: (with or without a full stop).

Mr ― for a man

Mrs ― for a married woman

Miss ― for an unmarried woman

Ms ― for a woman when one does not know whether she is married or not

Messrs ― for two or more men

Other titles:

Dr. ― Doctor

Prof. ― Professor

Capt. ― Captain

Maj. ― Major

Col. ― Colonel

Gen. ― General

Aristocratic titles:

Sir ― means that the person is a Knight

Dame, Lord, Baroness, etc.

Esq (with or without a full stop) can be used instead of Mr and is placed after the name.

All these titles except Esq are also used in salutations.

If you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, you may know his/her position in the company. (Eg. The Marketing Director).

You can also address your letter to a particular department of the company. Or you can simply address your letter to the company. (Eg. 3M plc).

After the name of the person or the company you write:

name of house or building;