Noted for cover letters

Focus on activities and responsibilities: emphasize the skills and

experiences -> the activities you did and responsibilities you held-> good
candidate, good employee.

Define the requirements of the job: Identify Essential requirements (these

may include education, years of experience, type of experience, specific skills or
knowledge); Preferred requirements (These may include language or technical
skills, as well as experience); Inferred requirements (These will not be referred
to explicitly at all)
Prioritise the requirements of the job: Look at the job from the recruiter's
point of view and assess which of the requirements are most important. This will
help you prioritise the skills and experience that you put into the letter.
Identify your relevant experience: Review your skills, experience, education
and personal characteristics and pull out the elements that strongly match the
requirements of the job. These are the aspects of your experience that you
should aim to highlight in the cover letter. Any aspect of your experience that is
not directly relevant to one of the top requirements should not be referred to in
your cover letter as it will distract the recruiter from understanding exactly why
you will be good in the job.
Add "something extra": Although you now have the basic content from which
to structure your letter, you need to make it stand out from those from other
applicants. The best way to do this is to personalise it. You can do this in a
number of ways:

You can illustrate your top-priority strengths with an anecdote or story

regarding past achievements.
You can identify an issue of high relevance to the company and
demonstrate your knowledge of their business.
You can directly relate one of your top strengths to the challenges faced
by the company.
-

Be specific: When possible, address the cover letter to a specific person rather
than "To Whom it May Concern." Do your best to research the person
responsible for hiring. If it is not listed in the job description, call Human
Resources or the Department and find out to whom it should be addressed.
Keywords: Take a careful look at the job description, take note skills or
experiences -> identify keywords and use them-> show a connection between
your experiences and the job.

Avoid focusing on your GPA or grades, or other metrics related to college.

Avoid talking about how much you want the job

Your value: Focus on how you will help out the company. Emphasize ways that
you can add value at the company, and why you are a good fit for them.

Show your knowledge of the company. Research the company before

writing the cover letter. If possible, explain what you know about the company

(or the department the job is in). Perhaps youve read an article about the
companys recent successes, or youve read and believe in the companys
mission statement.
-

Edit carefully: Maximum 1 page long (the best is not more than 300 words or
page)

Send as PDF

Structure of the CL:

First paragraph- the easy introductory paragraph: The first paragraph
should indicate the reason you are writing and how you heard about the
position. Include attention grabbing, yet professional, information.

State the job youre applying for.

Where you found out about it (advert in The Guardian newspaper

etc. - organisations like to know which of their advertising sources are
being successful)

When you're available to start work (and end if it's a internship)

Second paragraph:

Why you're interested in that type of work

Why the company attracts you (if it's a small company say you
prefer to work for a small friendly organisation!)

Third paragraph:

Summarise your strengths and how they might be an advantage to

the organisation.

Relate your skills to the competencies required in the job.

Fourth paragraph:

Mention any dates that you won't be available for interview

Thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them
soon.

The writing rules of George Orwell

-

Never use a long word where a short one will do.

If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.

Never use the passive voice (e.g. "Bones are liked by dogs") where you can use
the active voice ("Dogs like bones").

Never use jargon if you can think of an everyday equivalent.

Common template
The opening:
- I have just completed my final year at the University of (3)
- I am a final year law student at the University of (2)
- As a law undergraduate at the University of Kent I am looking for
- Currently I am pursuing a degree in .... at the University of
- My name is .... and I am a final year student at the (4)
- My name is .... and I am writing in response to your advertisement
- I am writing to apply for the post of .... in your company (5)
- I am writing in response to your advertisement in/for (3)
- I am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies for ....
- I was very interested to read your advertisement for
- I was most interested to read your advertisement for
- Further to your advertisement in ...., I should like to apply for
- With reference to your vacancy for a ....
- I enclose my CV for consideration of the post of
- Please find enclosed my application for the post of (3)
- As you will see from my CV
- I am seeking a placement within a
- I am currently looking for an entry-level post in
- I am very keen to work for .... because of your reputation for
- Your company has an excellent reputation for the training of graduates ...
- I read with interest of your organisation's plan to .....
- I open my own doors. When my peers give up, I go on.

SAMPLE 1: Fresh Graduate

Employer Contact Information
Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Date
Dear Mr./Ms. LastName,
I am writing to apply for the position of Media Relations Assistant Manager, which I
saw advertised on MediaJobs.com. ABCD is a fast-moving global institution and an
outstanding communications pioneer, now poised to guide the direction of print
journalism. I believe that my extensive experience in media makes me an ideal
candidate for this position at your company.
As a recent graduate of the State University, I have a significant background in media.
As a media major, I held multiple internships, including Media Relations Coordinator
Intern at XYZ Company. I also served as president of the Media and Marketing Club at
school. We successfully developed and pitched an advertisement campaign for a local
nonprofit, which helped increase donations to the nonprofit by 22%.
You state in your job listing that you are looking for someone with strong writing skills
and an attention to detail. Throughout all four years of college, I worked part-time as a
copy editor for an online journal.
This job required great attention to detail in writing and editing. I would love to bring
my editing skills to a position with your company.
These strengths, combined with deep and varied academic, internship, and
employment experience, prepare me to make a strong and immediate impact at
ABCD.
I am excited about the opportunity to join the ABCD team as it moves to the center of
the print media conversation. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Your Signature (hard copy letter)
Your Typed Name

SAMPLE 2-4: Experienced CL

Financial Analyst Cover Letter Sample 1:
I am writing to express my interest in the Financial Analyst position you have posted.
My attached resume highlights my broad range of experience and qualifications that
closely align with the position description.
My accumulated experiences focus on my ability to gather data from a range of
sources and apply that information to developing plans for both the short and long
term in a variety of business segments. My work has included interacting with all
levels in an organization, providing timely updates on key trending data, anticipating
changes that may be needed to accomplish goals and utilization of a variety of
software tools that have included advanced use of Excel and proprietary report-writing
software.
In my position as Senior Financial Analyst Modeling & Planning, Treasury & Risk
Management, at Cardinal Red University I was responsible for the development and
use of a ten-year financial model used to analyze what if scenarios. Additionally, I
completed a complex analysis that integrated data from a variety of sources to
analyze the financial performance of each major offered by the university. This work
took advantage of my data analysis skills, my ability to interact with the senior
managers of the university, my ability to think strategically and anticipate the future
needs of the university, my ability to work with very detailed data while keeping an
eye on the bigger picture and having the skill to develop and give succinct,
informational and actionable presentations. Cardinal Red University is undergoing a
need for staff reduction and my position has been included in those that are being
eliminated.
The position of Financial Analyst is attractive to me because it does require excellent
analytical and thinking skills, the ability to communicate and your advertised need of
having the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, constantly changing
environment. I would appreciate an opportunity to learn more about your
organization and the position of Financial Analyst.
Financial Analyst Cover Letter Sample 2:
I read with great interest your advertisement for a Financial Analyst. This would be a
great step forward in my career path as I have accumulated 20 years in the
accounting arena. An extensive background as a key member for firms both regionally
and nationally, I would be bringing high level skills as well as the ability and
willingness to travel as needed. Working within a high energy, dynamic environment
would be a great fit for me as I have been in leadership positions with high visibility. I
have attached my resume and would welcome the opportunity to discuss this
placement. Consider the following as they relate to your industry:
Direct involvement with monthly management meetings and compilation of
management dashboard analysis.
Capital project forecasting, detail revenue and expense planning.
Cost/benefit analysis, credit analysis, variance analysis, cash flow analysis,
yearly budgeting and forecasting.
Extensive work with costing and overhead allocation as well as revenue
recognition.
Audit coordination and compilation of schedules and work papers.
Reporting for internal and external clients.

Advanced command of Microsoft packages including Excel, Word, Power Point

and Access, QuickBooks, as well as numerous ERP packages.
The attached resume is provided for your review. Excellent references are available
upon request. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you during a
personal interview.
Financial Analyst Cover Letter Sample 3:
Your posting for a Financial Analyst leads me to believe that you are looking for
someone who is analytical and can handle multiple priorities, and who can also
demonstrate independent thinking and decision making skills. For these reasons and
more, I believe that I would make and excellent addition to your team.
As my resume indicates, I received my Bachelors Degree in Finance in August of 1999.
I have working experience with all aspects of accounting, which include, but are not
limited to, tax preparation, customer service & problem resolution, budgeting,
financial analysis, general ledger, account reconciliations, payroll, accounts receivable
and payable, and financial report creation. I have also performed bookkeeping duties
for several business clients, and have an extensive working experience with a variety
of accounting and business software programs. I strongly believe that my academic
coursework and accounting experience would make me an outstanding candidate for
the Financial Analyst opportunity with your organization!
Salary requirements are negotiable as I prefer a quality of life aspect that I feel that
many others do not appreciate. I would be very much interested in setting up a time to
speak with you personally to learn more about your business and objectives, and
discuss ways in which I feel that I could help you fulfill those objectives.

SAMPLE 5: Fresh Graduate

Fresh Accounting Graduate Cover Letter (No Experience)
954 Example Lane
London, ON S6C 9E6
(888) 888-8888
mary.lee @ email . com
January 24, 2016
Ms. Sara Johnson
Senior Manager JR
AAA Group of Companies
254 New West Street
Oshawa, ON S6D 5V9
Dear Ms. Johnson:
I recently obtained my Bachelors degree in Accounting from Ontario State University.
During my education, I developed expertise in performing a number of accounting
tasks that will enable me perform extremely well as an Accounting Assistant.
As you are in search of candidates who have outstanding accountancy and computer
skills, I am able to fulfill your requirements owing to the following attributes:
3 months internship experience in accounting and administrative field
Thorough understanding of accounting principles including debits/credit, general
ledger and subsystems
Demonstrated knowledge of A/P, A/R and Cash Disbursements/Receipts
Adept at using MS Excel, Quickbooks and Peachtree
Excellent data entry speed with accuracy
As a dependable and energetic accounting assistant, I would like to meet with you and
further talk about my qualifications. To find out the possibility of a personal meeting, I
will call your office after one week. Meanwhile, I can be reached at (000) 888-8888 or
via email at mary.lee @ email . com.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Mary Lee

SAMPLE 6: Experienced
Mill Walayo
55 Business Street
Takoradi, W/R
T: 027 6566555
E: mwalayo@hotmail.com
[date]
Ms Tyma Laurels
HR Coordinator
Ecobank Ghana
Ecobank Headquarters
Accra Central
Dear Ms Tyma
Re: Customer Service Adviser position at Ecobank Ghana
Please accept this letter and the accompanying resume as my application for the
above position, advertised in Daily Graphic on 8 November 2012.
I am a dynamic and friendly professional with three years experience in the banking
and financial industry and am passionate about providing outstanding customer
service. I have a Bachelor of Administration Degree from Ashesi University, as well as
ACCA II .
In my current role as Service Adviser at Fideliy Bank during my National Service, I help
solve customers banking issues by providing information and advice about their
options. I make a point of listening carefully to every customer, repeating their
requirements back to them and then outlining clearly the products and services which
are applicable to them, guiding them to the option which will best satisfy their needs.
My impeccable standard of service has been acknowledged by several customer
service awards from previous employers. I am comfortable serving customers in your
Reputable Bank.
Working effectively as a member of a team is important to me in my previous
positions I worked as an integral part of a team which, together, worked towards
common goals and targets. As a people person, I thrive on this sort of interaction and
enjoy being able to help others. I also enjoy coaching new team members and have
done so at several different companies.
The social aspect of working in a team is also a big part of my enjoyment and I am
Vice President of my works social club, which involves developing ideas and
organising extracurricular events for staff.
Please do not hesitate to get in touch if you need any more information. I look forward
to discussing my professional experiences and ideas with you in further detail.
Yours sincerely
[sign here]
Mill Walayo

Rosa Mundi
8 Russell Street
Cranford
Lancashire
MN22 8YY
rm333@hotmail.com
7th August 2014

Tries to find the

name of the
appropriate
person to write toif
possible

States the job

she's applying for
and where she
found out about it.

Says why she's

interested in the
type of work.

Evidence that she

can rapidly learn
new skills.

Evidence of
relevant skills for
the job: in this case
analysing
data, computing
skills and presenting
skills.

Summarises her
strengths,
including relevant
work
experience and how
they might be an
advantage to the
organisation.

Mrs Matty Jenkyns

Personnel Manager
AJA Insurance
Hollbrook Avenue
Manchester
MN1 5BJ
Dear Mrs Jenkyns

Please find enclosed my application form and CV for

the post of trainee actuary as advertised in the
University of Kent vacancy database.

In July 2014 I completed my final year at the University

of Kent where I studied Actuarial Science. I have always
had an interest in finance, and my degree helped to
further this interest. The modules I took involved many
aspects of the financial world, and in my final year I
completed modules specific to Pension Funds and Life
Assurance.
In my final year of my degree course, I completed a
dissertation which involved analysing data on over 150
car dealers. In order for me to interpret the results
based on this data, I taught myself how to use the
SPSS statistical package. This has given me the
confidence that I can rapidly learn new skills when
required to do so. Overall, I have achieved 66% for this
piece of work. Furthermore, the write-up required me to
be competent in my use of computers, particularly in
the use of MS Windows packages, including Excel and
Word. I had to give a presentation of my results to
students and staff for which I had to develop a
PowerPoint presentation and learned to speak with
confidence in front of an audience.
I have good experience of retail, having worked parttime for Tesco for over 3 years, in customer services,
check out and shop floor posts. This experience has
taught me the importance of ascertaining customers
needs and providing clear and accurate information in
response to those needs, and to work effectively in a
team. When the situation demanded it, I was always
able to manage myself well, take the initiative, work
under pressure, and according to time constraints.

I also have good office and IT skills from my work

experience with Lloyds TSB, and have developed
strong customer service skills in these positions,
dealing with customers both over the phone and in
person. My voluntary work at the Canterbury
Secondary School was particularly valuable as it taught
me the importance of teamwork and communication
with both children and adults.
Please find enclosed my CV. I am available for
interview at any time and look forward to hearing from
you shortly.
Yours sincerely
Rosa Mundi

Relates her skills

to the job.

Application Letter Sample 1 (Print Copy)

This application letter sample shows the correct format you should use when sending
out your application letter in print form. If you plan on submitting your application
letter via email, refer to the second application letter sample below.
22 H Venture St.,
Diliman, Quezon City
Philippines
April 17, 2015
Mr. Vincent Chua
Hiring Manager
Bank of the Philippines Islands (BPI)
12/F Ayala Life-FGU Center, Ayala Ave.
Makati City 1226
Dear Mr. Chua,
I am writing to express my interest for the position of Recruitment Assistant in your
esteemed company.
Having recently obtained my Bachelors Degree in Business Administration major in
Human Resource Development Management (BSBA-HRDM) in the Polytechnic
University of the Philippines (PUP), I wish to bring my knowledge, skills and
commitment to excellence to your companys innovative environment.
As a Business Administration student, majoring in HR management, Ive become
equipped with the necessary knowledge that come with the position including
manpower recruitment, workforce organization, personnel training and compensation
as well as legal provisions and other labor concerns.
My internship at San Miguel Corporation also afforded me with the crucial skills to work
with some of the best professionals in the recruitment and human resources industry.
Being a trainee has developed in me enthusiasm and a true passion for human
resources and has subsequently convinced me that human resource management is
my true calling.
For additional details regarding my qualification and expertise, please review my
attached resume.

Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing
from you.
Sincerely,
(signature)
Jessica Cenadoza

Application Letter Writing Tip: When intending to submit a hard copy of your
application letter (and resume), make sure that you send it in a strict business letter
format. Remember that your application letter not only speaks of your skills and
accomplishments. It also shows how effectively you can communicate. Therefore,
make it a point to impress your potential employer by writing a grammatically correct,
perfectly spelled and properly punctuated application letter.

Application Letter Sample 2 (Email Copy)

As previously mentioned, the format of your application letter may differ depending
on whether you are submitting a print copy or an email copy. The second application
letter sample below is a copy tailored specifically for emails.

Email Subject: Eric Tala, Marketing Associate Position

Dear Ms. Castaeda,
I would like to express my interest in applying for the position of Marketing Associate
as was recently made available in your company.
I believe that my degree in Business Administration (BSBA) major in Marketing from
the Philippine School of Business Administration (PSBA) has prepared me for this
position. As a student, I was equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to help
develop and drive effective marketing strategies.
During my internship at Uniliver Philippines Marketing Department, I learned how
companies determine what product or service to sell, how to reach target

demographics and how to respond to the demands of competitors. More importantly, I

had the opportunity to work with seasoned professionals who taught me how to easily
grasp complex marketing concepts and at certain times, how to roll with the punches
in order to achieve various objectives.
I have also acquainted myself with a wide range of skills that allow me to blend with
the group or teams culture and to continuously strive to reach common goals amidst
failures and setbacks.
My active involvement in many academic and extracurricular activities has done so
well in developing my communication and leadership skills, which are vital in finding
success in the corporate world.
With this application letter, I attach herewith my resume for your full consideration.
Thank you for taking time to review my application and I am looking forward to your
reply so that we can further discuss my application.
Yours sincerely,
Alvin C. Marfal
7194 Marcelo Ave
Paraaque City, Metro Manila 1700
Mobile: +63 929 XXX XXXX

Application Letter Writing Tip: Make it a point to include the necessary email
subject when sending your application letter via email. The email subject provided on
this application letter sample follows the usual format (name, position you are
applying for) though some recruiters require applicants to send their application letter
(and resumes) with a specific email subject.
Also, when sending your application letter thru email, remember to include your
contact details on the email signature. By doing so, you will enable the recruiter or
potential employer to respond to your application immediately.
Remember that these samples are merely templates meant to serve as a basis in
writing your own, personalized application letter. When writing an application letter,
feel free to customize it according to your own personal preference. You dont want to
have just another generic application letter because chances are the hiring manager
has already read hundreds, or maybe thousands of it. You want your application letter
to stand out and ultimately showcase why you are the best person for the job.

NOTE: These application letter samples are for reference only. All information provided
should be considered as fictional.

Mr. Sam Hale

Manager Human Resource
Kforce
827 Pioneer Avenue
Sanford, ME 21410
Dear Mr. Hale:
As a proven self-starter with the ability to solve complex financial problems, I would
like to be considered for the position of Financial Analyst at Kforce. I recently
graduated from the University of Maine with a Masters in Finance and possess a great
energy and knowledge to contribute to your bottom line.
Some os my key attributes that make me a strong candidate for a position with your
company include:
Well-versed in reviewing, analyzing and manipulating financial data
Adept at making competitive analysis reports for comparative market
purposes
Demonstrated ability to take initiative for process improvement
Strong skills in Excel, Access and PowerPoint
As part of my final year project, I did a financial research on Kforce. This activity has
provided me with much insight into how your companys financial department works.
Additionally, I am impressed with the credit rating analysis procedures that your
company follows as I find them innovative and highly workable in this extremely
competitive business world.
It would be a great pleasure to give you complete information about my knowledge
and qualifications in an interview. I will call you at the end of the week to arrange a
meeting time that is convenient for you. Alternately, you can contact me at (444) 4444444.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
Selena Murdock
Enc. Resume

<Enter address here>

Dear Sir/Madam,
Re: <Enter position title here>
Further to your recent advertisement for the position of <insert position title>, I would
like to present my resume for review.
Over the past two years I have been completing a graduate accounting program within
the Wilson Learning Group, gaining firsthand experience in both Client Side Services
and their Corporate Services division. This experience has ranged from Corporate
Accounting through to Management Accounting and Financial Analysis experience.
My ability to provide both hands-on resources as well as being able to understand the
wider-picture of the role, has allowed me to tackle a wide range of tasks. My skills and
experience includes:
Financial reporting and management accounting support;
Risk analysis and credit analysis on financial transactions;
Month end reconciliations;
Lodgement of tax month end and quarterly returns;
Client side consultation on setting up of books and accounting systems;
Assisting undergraduates.
I have a wide breadth of experience of the type that gives you the versatility to place
me in a number of demanding situations with confidence that the level of excellence
you expect will be met. I have enclosed my resume for your attention and would be
grateful for your contact to acknowledge this email, and perhaps explain the current
process you are using to select for this role.
Yours sincerely,
Simon Johnson