UNIT 12

Applying for a Job

General Objective : To apply for a job
Specific Objectives : To write an application letter
To write a CV

When a company needs to recruit or employ new people, it may decide to advertise the job
or position in a page of a newspaper. People who are interested can then apply for the job by
sending in a letter of application and curriculum vitae containing details of their education and experience
the company will then draw up a shortlist of candidates, who are invited to attend an interview. Your
application may be used to decide if you got an interview for a job, so it is important to give
the right impression.

➢ What to analyze before writing/applying for a job

• Job Title • Salary • Experience
• Duties • Fringe Benefits • Personal Skills
• Working Conditions • Others • Communication Skills
• Terms of Employment • Qualification • Others

➢ What does the advertisement say?

➢ What have you offer and/or what do you expect?
➢ When writing a letter of application you can :
a. Use different statements to start your letter
b. Give personal details and experience relevant to the position applied for, and
c. Politely request to be considered for the position.

➢ Suggested layout

1. Give a summary of your skills and experience. Keep it brief and to the point.
Then, say when you will be free for an interview. Remember to include your
name, address, phone number (if you have one), the date and enclose a copy of
your CV.

2. What to say. Be clear. Don’t use a long word if a short one will do. If you have
been unemployed for a while, say how you spend your spare time (for example,
by doing voluntary work, study and soon). Be honest and keep to the facts and try
no to oversell yourself.

3. How to say it. Include the job reference number if there is one in the job details.
Enter it below the opening line.
For example: Dear Mr/Mrs……
Re: Job reference 345
Try to find out the name of the person you need to write to. If you start with
‘Dear Sir/Madam’, end with ‘Yours faithfully’. If you start with the person’s
name (for example, ‘Dear Mrs. Smith’, end with ‘Yours sincerely’. Finally,
double-check your spelling and grammar before sending the letter.

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 4. How the letter looks. Be neat, whether your letter is handwritten or typed.
Leave plenty of space around the edges and a clear space between each
paragraph. Use good quality plain paper and envelopes. Check against your rough
copy to make sure you have not missed anything. If your application is in audio
format check that the content is clear, to the point and easy to understand.

5. Signing the Letter. Sign the letter and print your name underneath to make sure
it can be read easily. Ask a friend or relative to check over your letter before you
send it.

6. Finally, make sure your application arrives on time. If you are posting it, allow
for delays. If your application is late, the company might not even consider it and
your time will have been wasted.

I wish/would like/am writing to apply for the post

of ………as advertised in (where) on (date).
Starting the letter
I recently saw the advertisement for the bost of with
your Company.

I have completed my course in ………….

Giving personal
Function of the statement

details relevant to I have a Diploma in ……………………

position applied for

I studied ………… at ……

I gained experience in ………… during my course

work/ project/ vacation training
Relating relevant past-
experience and skills
When I was working for………….I learned how
to …………

I would appreciate it if you would considers my

application

Asking to be
I hope you would consider my application
considered

I would be grateful if you would consider my

application

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➢ CV/ Personal Particulars / Resume

The Differences between a Resume and a CV

Curriculum Vitae Resume

• A curriculum vitae is a longer (up to • As with a resume, you may need
two or more pages), more detailed different versions of a CV for different
synopsis of your background and skills. types of positions.
• A CV includes a summary of your
educational and academic backgrounds
as well as teaching and research
experience, publications, presentations,
awards, honors, affiliations, grants and
fellowships, professional associations
and licenses, awards and other
information relevant to the position you
are applying for and other details.

Curriculum Vitae

 Detailed description of your personal details and attainments it should be updated when
necessary so that you have a recent personal profile to yourself.
 Curriculum Vitae Format :
Your Contact Information
Name :
Address :
Telephone :
Cell Phone :
Email :

Personal Information
Date of Birth :
Place of Birth :
Citizenship :
Visa Status :
Gender :

Optional Personal Information

Marital Status :
Spouse’s name :
Number of
Children :
Cell Phone :
Email :

Employment History
List in chronological order, include position details and dates
Work History :
Academic
Positions :
Research and
Training :

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Education
Include dates, majors and details of degrees, training and certification
High School :
University :
School :

Personal Qualification
Certification &
Accreditations :
Computer skill :
Awards :
Publication :
Books :
Interests :

➢ Relating relevant past - experience and skills

• I gained experience in ______________________________ during my course
work/project/vacation training.
• When I was working for ___________________ , I learned how to ______________
➢ Asking to be considered
• I would appreciate it if you would consider my application.
• I hope you would consider my application.
• I would be grateful if you would consider my application.
Letter of Application
Example of a letter of application.

59 river street
Cardiff 1
CF1 JW
12th February 2011 2
The Editor
3 The Swansea Gazette,
27 New hall Road
36T IDR

4 Dear Sir or Madam

5 I would like to apply for the post of trainee reporter which was advertised in yesterday’s
edition of the Swansea Gazette.
6 I am seventeen years old and will be learning school at the end of this academic year. I have
six O levels and I am studying English and Economics at A level.
I have been involved in the production of my school’s newsletter for the last two years and 7a
I have a keen interest in local affairs. I am also a member of the football and athletics teams.
I enclose the names and address of two referrers who can testify to my conduct and 7b
character.
I could come for an interview at any time which is convenient to you. 8

Your faithfully, 9

Mark Morrison 10

MARK MORRISON

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1. Your address. Include your number, e.g. 12.2.88 — as this can
postcode. be confusing. American usage
would be 2.12.88.
2. One blank line in between.
The date — this is the preferred 3. The name and address of the person
order, but the month may come first. to whom you are writing.
It is better not to put the month as a Include the postcode

4. One blank line.

Salutation (most forms of salutation start with Dear….)
Other possibilities are:
Dear Sirs, Who are you writing to when you
(you know there are several people) start with:
Gentlemen, Dear Madam,……………………….
(several men — US usage) Dear Sir, ………………………………

5. Introduction
With reference to your advertisement in………… for ………
I am writing in reply to your advertisement ...
I am applying for the position of ……….. as advertised in ………………..
wish to apply for the post of …………………..

6. Explain why you are applying.

Here the applicant is informing the editor how his qualifications match those
required. He could have used some kind of formula to introduce his explanation, such
as:
I feel that my qualifications match I wish to gain experience of ……….
your requirements... Having already worked as …………
My qualifications are as follows …… for (time), I wish to extend my
I feel I could be suitable for this post experience/feel I could be useful to
because ………………….. you ……………………

7. A. Give further details

The details given here may have been asked for in the advertisement. An employer
may want to know if a school-leaver has held any positions of responsibility. Or
the applicant may. feel they are of interest to the employer. But you should not
spend too much time on such details.

B. Please find enclosed / l enclose ………………………

- the names and addresses of ... referees
- my curriculum vitae l CV (personal data sheet — US usage)

8. Make some reference to hearing from the employer

I could come for an interview at any I should be glad to attend an interview …..
time which would suit you I look forward to hearing from you ………
I am available for interview ………

9. The close.
This is usually Yours faithfully, Dear Mr Brown, /Dear Mrs Jones,
where the salutation is Dear Sir, etc Yours respectfully/truly, should be
Yours sincerely, sincerely, is used avoided in modern British usage
with a salutation such as

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 10. The signature
Sign in your usual 'formal’ way — e.g. as on your identity card or on cheques. It is
advisable to print your name afterwards as people's signatures are often illegible.

The following is an example of an assessment form that can be used by an

interviewer.
ASSESSMENT FORM

N A M E OF APPLICANT…………………. REFERENCE NO……..

POSITION APPLIED FOR……………………..
DATE……………. TIME…………….
INTERVIEWER………….. SIGNATURE………………..

THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE APPLICANT

THE JOB
Education &c Qualifications
Experience
Achievements
Hobbies/Interests
Appearance
Communication Skills
Personality
Characteristics
Interpersonal
Relationship Skills
Leadership
Creativity
Initiative
Other Comments

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