Chapter 3 3[1].1

Chapter Three

Main Contents

• 3.1 Cover letter • 3.2 Resume

• 3.3 Professional portfolio

• 3.4 Interview appreciation letter • 3.5 Reply to a job offer

3.1 Cover Letter

•Introduction

•Tips: how to sell yourself •Basic structure •Template •Samples

Cover Letter/Application Letter

A Cover letter is a sales letter in which you as a job applicant market your skills, abilities, knowledge, experiences, etc. to leave the first impression on your potential employer.

Design Tips

•1. Individualizing your letter •2. Addressing a specific person •3. Catching your reader's attention •4. Highlighting your qualifications •5. Other tips

To leave a good first impression ...

• General style: simple, human, personal, specific and brief • Format: a standard business letter • Tone: confident (Do not show a sense of self-inferiority, nor boast)

Basic Structure

•Address

•Introducing yourself

•Knowledge of the company you are seeking employment with •Qualifications •Closing

Your Address

Date Name & Title Position Address of Company

Dear Mrs./ Miss/ Ms/ Dr/ Mr. :

paragraph one

Why are you writing?

 State the purpose of writing.

 Mention the position you are applying for.

 State where and when you saw the vacancy advertised and why you want to apply for the

job.

What attracts you to the company?

 Give compliment about the company you are seeking employment with, or state why this

company interests you.

Enthusiasm, Motivation, Confidence.

paragraph two

What are you doing now or have done recently and in the past?

 Highlight your qualifications and potential contribution to the company.

 Elaborate on your experience, focusing on your skills and accomplishments that are important for the job at hand. (If necessary, offer to provide an impressive reference. ) - Key Skills

- Personal Qualities

- Relevant Experience, Achievements

 Refer to your enclosed resume.

Use the Job Description and Person Specification to “Fit Yourself to the Job”- give evidence!

paragraph four

What can you do if employed?

 Highlight your potential contribution to the company.

To persuade the prospective employer that you are a fit for the vacancy--- the contribution to be made by you, with a summary of your background and experience.  Mention your knowledge of the employer’s accomplishments.

paragraph five

Ask for an interview.

 State you are a strong match for the job and take the initiative for an interview.  State where you can be reached and when you will be available.

Yours sincerely,

Name

Writing Styles

•conservative or formal style: serious in tone, conventional information, suitable for applying

for common jobs

•creative or informal style: casual in tone, flexible information, suitable for applying for artists, designers, and the like.

Useful expressions

•I wish to apply for a position with your offices as a secretary.

•During the recent ARRGH convention in Beijing, one of your sales representatives, Dusty Brown,

informed me of a possible opening for a manager in your department.

•I am responding to your ad in the June Issue of the Beijing Youth for an editor.

• I am confident that I am suitable for the kind of job you are advertising in…

•Please accept this letter as an expression of interest in the position of an electronic engineer,

which is advertised in…

•As you can see from my enclosed, my experience and qualifications match the position’s

requirements.

•I am the ideal candidate for the position because…

•My extensive background ….make me highly qualified for…

•I believe I possess the right combination of communication and sales skills.

•I am thoroughly experienced in construction design and have participated in three projects…

•As you can see from my enclosed resume, I have ten years experience in…

•I look forward to an opportunity to speak with you in person.

•I would welcome the opportunity to personally discuss my potential contributions to your

company with you.

Sample 1 (conservative)

Dear Mr. Wang:

Having learned that you need ..., I venture to submit this application for the post as.... I am at present a student of ...where I have been studying English for nearly three years.

With a fairly good command of English and a sound background of contemporary and classical Chinese, I believe you will find me competent for the job if I can work in your...

...Herewith I enclose a testimonial from my department attesting to my character and abilities.

I shall appreciate it if you will grant me an interview at your earliest convenience. Thank you in anticipation.

Sample 2

Dear Mr. Gibson:

Permit me to apply for a position with your corporation as a.... I am ... years old, male (female), and at present a student of..., where I have been studying English for three years.

The only reason for my trying to seek employment in... is... The ... has inspired me to work for... which faces a great future.

As to my character and ability as a ..., you may refer to .... I enclose a testimonial produced by the ... concerned, which are self-explanatory.

Graduated from ..., I can....This ability, I believe will be useful for... I look forward to receiving a favorable reply.

Sample 3

Dear Mr. Berger:

I am applying for the position of client account coordinator, which was advertised November 4…. The position seems to fit very well with my education, experience…

According to the advertisement, your position requires excellent communication skills,… I will be graduating from… with a B.S. Degree. My study includes the courses in… I understand the position also requires a candidate who is team-and detail oriented, works well…, and is able to deal with. These skills I developed both in my course and …

My background and goals seem to match your requirements well. I am confident that I can perform the job effectively, and I am excited about…

If you would like to schedule an interview or discuss my…., please call me at…

Sample 4 (creative) Dear Ms Taylor:

we live in a world where styles change constantly and fresh images are always in demand….. I know The Kaplan Group seeks only the brightest and most creative… I also knows.. The enclosed resume elaborated the details... I’d appreciate the chance to meet you… Thank you for your consideration…

Follow-up Practice

Write a cover letter

• Find an advertisement for a job you’d like to be hired for. It can be one for which you are qualified now or one for which you hope to be qualified for some day.

• Describe the employment you are seeking, and list three or four most important qualifications you’ve got for it.

• Explain which parts of your background--education, work experience, or other--you plan to highlight in this application letter, and how these areas of your background are specifically related to the employment you are seeking.