Writing: Cover Letters

ENGLESKI JEZIK – V STEPEN

PRIPREMA ZA DRUGI KOLOKVIJUM

Danilo Alagic

WRITING: COVER LETTERS
Cover Letter Format Guidelines:
Your StreetAddress
City, State Zip Code
Telephone Number
Email Address
Month, Day, Year
Mr./Ms./Dr. FirstName LastName
Title
Name of Organization
Street or P.O.BoxAddress
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. Last Name:
Opening paragraph: State why you are writing; how you learned of the organization or position, and basic information about yourself.
2nd paragraph: Tell why you are interested in the employer or type of work the employer does (Simply stating that you are interested does not tell why, and can sound like a form letter). Demonstrate that you know enough about the employer or position to relate your background to the employer or position. Mention specific qualifications which make you a good fit for the employer’s needs. This is an opportunity to explain in more detail relevant items in your resume. Refer to the fact that your resume is enclosed. Mention other enclosures if such are required to apply for a position.
3rd paragraph: Indicate that you would like the opportunity to interview for a position or to talk with the employer to learn more about their opportunities or hiring plans. State what you will do to follow up, such as telephone the employer within two weeks. If you will be in the employer’s location and could offer to schedule a visit, indicate when. State that you would be glad to provide the employer with any additional information needed. Thank the employer for her/his consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your handwritten signature)
Your name typed
(Note: the contents of your letter might best be arranged into four paragraphs. Consider what you need to say and use good writing style. See the following example for variations in organization and layout.)
Lynn A. Johnson
5542 Hunt Club Lane, #1
Blacksburg, VA 24060
(540) 555-8082

April 14, 2006
Mr. William Jackson
Employment Manager
Acme Pharmaceutical Corporation
13764 Jefferson Parkway
Roanoke, VA24019

Dear Mr. Jackson:
From your company's web site I learned about your need for a sales representative for the Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina areas. I am very interested in this position with Acme Pharmaceuticals, and believe that my education and employment background are appropriate for the position.
While working toward my master’s degree, I was employed as a sales representative with a small dairy foods firm. I increased my sales volume and profit margin appreciably while at Farmer’s Foods, and I would like to repeat that success in the pharmaceutical industry. I have a strong academic background in biology and marketing, and think that I could apply my combination of knowledge and experience to the health industry. I will complete my master's degree in marketing in mid-May and will be available to begin employment in early June.
Enclosed is a copy of my resume, which more fully details my qualifications for the position.
I look forward to talking with you regarding sales opportunities with Acme Pharmaceuticals. Within the next week I will contact you to confirm that you received my email and resume and to answer any questions you may have. Should you need any additional information do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Lynn A. Johnson

Milica Vukovic

COVER LETTER PHRASES AND VOCABULARY

According to your advertisement, your position requires (skills). These skills I have developed during ... (experience).
I understand the position requires (skills). I ... (details why you meet the requirements).
I recently graduated from (university) with a degree in (field).
Since 2002 / For 2 years I have been working for (company).
Following my training as a (job title), I spent (time) working for (company).
As (current job) for (company), I have developed my skills and experience as (job title)
Prior to my current position, I was working for (company), where I ... (jobs, tasks, skills).
Throughout my career I have acquired a thorough knowledge of ...
I have solid experience in ...
I have more than ... years of ... experience.
My experiences / skills / ... will provide your company with a highly productive (job title).
I have always had a strong interest in ...
I am very competent in ...
I very much enjoy both ... and ...
My experience in (field) have convinced me that (future position) is a career option I would like to explore.
My high degree of motivation has been appreciated by my previous employers.
Thanks to my high degree of motivation I was quickly promoted to positions of greater responsibility.
The enclosed CV / resume elaborates on the details of my skills and experience.
I am writing to you in response to your advertisement in the Washington Post, dated May 13th, 2008.
As you can see from my enclosed resume, my experience and accomplishments match this position’s requirements.
I would like to point out...... (add text that is most relevant to the position.
During my 5 yrs. with Amsted and Querns, I initiated extensive improvements that resulted in garnering 30 more clients for the period ending....
I would appreciate the opportunity.... to meet with you to discuss my qualifications for your position, OR,...to speak with you in person.
Please accept this letter as an expression of my interest in the position of...
A copy of my resume has been enclosed for your review.
I believe that my skill-set matches perfectly with your requirements.
I possess the right combination of nursing skills to be an asset to your organization.
I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss my potential contributions to your company.
I look forward....to hearing back from you....OR.....to your reply.
I am particularly well-qualified for your (job title) position, as the following highlights illustrate. I would enjoy the opportunity to meet with you to explore how I can contribute to your organization.
Your position for (job title) strongly appeals to me because (tell why).
If our meeting confirms my understanding of your open position for (job title), I am confident that with my skills in (name skills), I can make an immediate and valuable contribution to (name of employer).
As we discussed earlier, my extensive professional experience can benefit virtually any employer. However, (company name) is of special interest to me because (explain why).
(Name of employer’s company) ranks Number One in companies I prefer to join.
I look forward to meeting with you to further discuss my background and to show you some of the (skills or competencies) that I have developed.
What you’re asking for and what I can deliver sound like a match!
During my three years in purchasing with Tidewater Productions, I’ve been credited with yearly savings in the $50,000 to $75,000 range. This resulted from a combination of skillful negotiation and replacing underperforming vendors. Wouldn’t you like me to save money for your company?
Because I haven’t yet notified my current employer of my intent to leave, I count on your treating this response to your posting with appropriate sensitivity.
I am happy with my job and am considered to be a high performer by my current employer. Unfortunately, I do not see a path to advancement in the foreseeable future. That is why I am contacting you about future openings in the (career field or functional area) at (name of organization).
One of my friends, Salvador Rondavi, works for your company. He recommends that I contact you about a position as a management trainee. He is more than satisfied with his work and from what he says, I am sure I would like it as well and will do my utmost to win your professional praise.
I am long on effort and enthusiasm, although short on experience. Examples of my passion for doing the job well are in references I gained as a student from my employers and customers, such as the following achievements: (list references).
In my last position, managing an assisted-living facility, I saved 8% of the annual budget without compromising care; I would welcome sharing the details with you in a meeting to discuss the possibility of my joining your well-respected organization.
With my technical skills and understanding of your market, I can step into the position and be immediately productive.
At my previous position on the East Coast, within two years I received praise for playing a key role in raising my branch’s basement ranking for customer service (#57 out of 60 stores) to top ranking customer service (#3 out of 60 stores) in the nationwide organization.
Accustomed to doing more with fewer resources, I can help your firm ride out a financial storm in a tight economy. After meeting with me and assessing my ability to run a tight ship that sails upright, you may decide you can’t afford not to hire me.
With reference to your letter of 8 June, I …
I am writing to enquire about …
After having seen your advertisement in … , I would like …
After having received your address from … , I …
I received your address from … and would like …
We/I recently wrote to you about …

Conjunctions

but / still / however

especially / mainly / particularly

before

as / because / since

so that

then / after that

that's why / so

either ... or

after all

after

of course

though / although / even though

as soon as

as long as

finally / eventually

in spite of / even so / all the same

perhaps ...

above all

neither ... nor

because

first of all

for example / for instance

Adapted from:

MOCK TEST 1

Read the advertisement. You would like to study at this college. Write a letter using a suitable greeting and closing formula. The following points shuld be mentioned in your letter.

-Choose a subject you would like to study

-Give three items of information about yourself

-Say where you have found this advertisement and give the reason why you are writing

-Ask for details about application for international students

The College of Central London

60 Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3HR. Phone 020 7833 0987 - Fax 020 7837 2959 - Email

About the College

The College of Central London is a private college of further education offering a unique blend of courses in four main areas of study: business, computing, secretarial and English.
Students will obtain a sound academic education and good practical teaching from teachers and lecturers who are actively working in their areas of expertise. They are able to communicate in the classroom the knowledge and experience they have gained over many years in their related fields.
As a private college we are able to control our own fee structure and it has always been our goal to offer students quality education at affordable fees. By controlling our own fees we aim to give students value for money when they select us as their place of learning.
Our students are from both the United Kingdom and overseas-from every corner of the world. Overseas students make up the majority of the student fraternity, adding a rich and diverse student community, representing some 65 different countries.
The college is it in the heart of Bloomsbury, one of London's more architecturally pleasant areas retaining the glamour of the past. It is situated a short distance from London's famous West End with its cinemas, theatres and shopping centres. Parks, restaurants, museums and art galleries within easy reach. Our staff help to arrange guided tours to special places of interest such as parliament, the law courts and the Stock Exchange. Excursions to other historic places such as Oxford, Cambridge, Stratford-upon-Avon and Canterbury are organised frequently.
Facilities at the college include areas where students can study or relax during their spare time and a cafeteria where hot and cold meals, snacks and soft drinks are served. Students have access to a computerised library using CD ROM technology. This system contains many of the latest educational CD titles and every copy of the Times and Sunday Times Newspapers since 1990. Lending library facilities are also available and students may borrow books to study at home.
Our staffs are available to help students with problems that arise during their studies. We aim to build strong relationships with and between our students to encourage and maintain an ambient atmosphere. Many of our students return the following year to follow another course. Many more recommend their friends and relations to study with us.
You may also like to visit our sister college THE SCHOOL OF COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY.for details on specialist computer courses.

MOCK TEST 2

Imagine you are Angeline Whitaker and you want to apply for the position of an accountant with the Royal Bank in Windsor. Write a cover letter on the basis of your CV and the advertisement for the position provided below.

Angeline Whitaker

123 Major Street, Major DriveWindsor, UK Telephone Number: 2378 495770 Mobile Number: 9857 0928 Email Address:

Career Objective:

Fully registered certified public accountant with several years of experience seeking a position that will allow the application of computer, data analysis and presentation skills.

Educational Qualification:

2003- 2005Bachelor’s degree in Accounts and Business Administration from the ChicagoBusinessSchool

2000 – 2003Diploma in business administration from the LondonBusinessSchool

Professional Qualification:

CPA certificate
Business administration certificate

Word Experience:

2003 – 2005 Certified Public Accountant

Responsibilities:

Kept records of clients transactions
Attended to clients needs
Balanced Transactions and bills
Monitored companies profits and losses

2005 – 2007 Clerk at the Outstanding Bank

Responsibilities:

- Balancing accounts - Receiving money from clients - Issuing clients with money - Assisting clients with checking account balances

Vacancy Summary

Job Title :Accountant

Company: Royal Bank

Job Type :Permanent Jobs

Job Location :Windsor (Berkshire, South East, United Kingdom)

Job Salary :45-55k Basic + Full Benefit Package

Main Industry Sector :Finance, Banking & Insurance

Other Industries and Skills :Accountancy

Job Description :Senior Accountant - Windsor - Basic Salary 45-55k Basic + Full Benefit Package

As part of our client's expansion across Europe, they are looking to develop their Finance team further with the addition of a Senior Accountant based from their European Head Office in Windsor.

*All accounting and compliance related activities; *Ensure all entities are in accordance with local financial requirements; *Ensure accurate and timely recording of all expenditure items, including appropriate sub-analysis for income tax purposes and recording for VAT compliance.
*Responsible for monthly accounting close process; *Provide further analysis and documentation for audit purposes, as required.
*Assist in developing systems and processes where necessary.

Experience - Senior Accountant

Requirements:
*Qualified certified Accountant
*5 - 7 years of professional experience in European accounting and finance
*2+ years in a senior position within an accounts team.
*Excellent working knowledge and experience of pan-European accounting and compliance requirements, with heavy exposure to VAT and import/export issues.
*Must be able to effectively communicate issues in a constructive manner.
*Excellent attention to detail, whilst able to identify & prioritise key issues, within the context of meeting accounting & reporting deadlines.
*Strong personal integrity and has the highest ethical standards.
*Experience with SAP (=statutory advanced principles) and advanced MS office skills are strong pluses
*Experience in US multi-national corporate setting a plus.

Package - Senior Accountant

*Basic salary 45-55k
*Full Benefit Package
*25 Days holiday
*Training on start
*Progression for the right person

Contact:

Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue
WindsorOntario, Canada
N9B 3P4

Phone: 519-253-3000
Fax: 519-973-7050