Tips for Writing
Tips for writing and preparing a good application letter:
- Your application letter should be written in a friendly, conversational tone. Employers are looking for applicants with knowledge, enthusiasm, and focus. Try to get those traits across in the way that you write.
- Instead of addressing your letter to the personnel department, try to do a little research to find out exactly who is the hiring decision-maker for the department you are applying to. Be sure the person's name is spelled correctly and the title is correct (Mr., Ms, Dr., etc.)
If you are interested in a particular job, you should state your objective clearly at the beginning of the letter and include information relevant to the position.
Example: I am seeking a position in an engineering department where I can use my software engineering training to develop cutting-edge software systems.
However, if you were referred to the company by one of its employees or someone else, you may want to begin with that.
Example: While attending your company's job show in Lexington, Mass., a member of your engineering department, Mr. Bruce Donnell, informed me of an opening for your Senior Software Engineer position. I believe that my extensive background and training for designing and implementing software programs makes me highly qualified for the position.
Once the opening paragraph is written, you should then expand upon your qualifications in the second paragraph, highlighting any information that is especially relevant to the position for which you are applying. The second paragraph is also where you should provide what makes you stand out from the crowd. Include a specific accomplishment, a high achievement, or information to make the reader want to give you a call. You should not, however, list items that can be read on your resume, but refer the reader to your resume for more detailed information. Close your letter by asking for an interview, along with giving your contact information.
Be sure to proofread your application letter several times to ensure that it is completely error-free. Just as on your resume, if errors are seen, you will quickly become an undesirable candidate. Spelling and grammar errors on an application letter show your prospective employer that you are either too lazy to proofread or that you are uneducated. Attention to detail is important to all employers, even for the most menial of jobs.
Here is an example of an application letter:
John Randolph
67 Olde Post Road
Niceville, FL. 32578
June 18, 20--
Ms. Donaldson
Chief Engineer
Vintek, Inc.
77 Freemlin Drive
Bedford, MA 02156
Dear Ms. Donaldson:
While attending your company's job show in Lexington, Mass., a member of your engineering department, Mr. Bruce Donnell, informed me of an opening for your Senior Software Engineer position. I believe that my extensive background and training for designing and implementing software programs makes me highly qualified for the position.
With a BS Degree in Software Engineering, I have a full understanding of the life cycle of a software development project. I worked for Rantheon Corporation for more than five years as a Software Engineer Programmer and was the lead on several programming projects. I also developed three automated planning software systems and successfully implemented them in all 13 of the company's divisions. My education and extensive work experience are detailed in the enclosed résumé.
I look forward to meeting you soon in an interview. You can reach me any weekday at (617) 765-0986.
Sincerely,
John Randolph
John Randolph
Enclosure: Résumé
67 Olde Post Road
Niceville, FL. 32578
June 18, 20--
Ms. Donaldson
Chief Engineer
Vintek, Inc.
77 Freemlin Drive
Bedford, MA 02156
Dear Ms. Donaldson:
While attending your company's job show in Lexington, Mass., a member of your engineering department, Mr. Bruce Donnell, informed me of an opening for your Senior Software Engineer position. I believe that my extensive background and training for designing and implementing software programs makes me highly qualified for the position.
With a BS Degree in Software Engineering, I have a full understanding of the life cycle of a software development project. I worked for Rantheon Corporation for more than five years as a Software Engineer Programmer and was the lead on several programming projects. I also developed three automated planning software systems and successfully implemented them in all 13 of the company's divisions. My education and extensive work experience are detailed in the enclosed résumé.
I look forward to meeting you soon in an interview. You can reach me any weekday at (617) 765-0986.
Sincerely,
John Randolph
John Randolph
Enclosure: Résumé
]]>