1.

Standard, conservative style

This is ideal for sectors such as business, law, accountancy and retail. For
more creative sectors, a letter like this might be less appealing, and could
work against you.
Dear Mr Black,
Please find enclosed my CV in application for the post advertised in the
Guardian on 30 November.
The nature of my degree course has prepared me for this position. It
involved a great deal of independent research, requiring initiative, selfmotivation and a wide range of skills. For one course, [insert course], an
understanding of the [insert sector] industry was essential. I found this
subject very stimulating.
I am a fast and accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail and I should be
very grateful for the opportunity to progress to market reporting. I am
able to take on the responsibility of this position immediately, and have
the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success of it.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look
forward to hearing from you in the near future.
Yours sincerely

2. Standard speculative letter

This may vary according to the nature of the organisation and the industry
you're applying to.
Dear Mr Brown,
I am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies in your company. I
enclose my CV for your information.
As you can see, I have had extensive vacation work experience in office
environments, the retail sector and service industries, giving me varied

skills and the ability to work with many different types of people. I believe
I could fit easily into your team.
I am a conscientious person who works hard and pays attention to detail.
I'm flexible, quick to pick up new skills and eager to learn from others. I
also have lots of ideas and enthusiasm. I'm keen to work for a company
with a great reputation and high profile like [insert company name].
I have excellent references and would be delighted to discuss any possible
vacancy with you at your convenience. In case you do not have any
suitable openings at the moment, I would be grateful if you would keep
my CV on file for any future possibilities.
Yours sincerely

3. Letter for creative jobs

We've used the example of a copywriter but you can adapt it for your
profession. The aim of a creative letter is to be original and show you have
imagination, but understand what the job entails. Balance is essential: don't
be too wacky, or it will turn off the reader.
Dear Ms Green,
Confused by commas?
Puzzled by parenthesis?
Stumped by spelling?
Perturbed by punctuation?
Annoyed at the apostrophe? (And alliteration?)
Well, you're not alone. It seems that fewer and fewer people can write.
Unfortunately, there are still a lot of people who can read. So they'll spot a
gaffe from a mile off. And that means it's a false economy, unless you're
100% sure of yourself, to write your own materials. (Or to let clients do it
for themselves.)
To have materials properly copywritten is, when one considers the whole
process of publishing materials and the impact that the client wishes to
make, a minor expense. Sloppiness loses clients, loses customers.

There is an answer. Me. Firm quotes are free. You can see some of what I
do on my multilingual website at [insert web address]. If you'd like, I can
get some samples out to you within 24 hours. And, if you use me, you'll
have some sort of guarantee that you can sleep soundly as those tens of
thousands of copies are rolling off the presses.
Luck shouldn't come into it!
With kindest regards
(Hard copy: sender address and contact info at top. Your address and the date can be leftjustified, or centered.)

Your Street Address

City, State Zip Code
Telephone Number
Email Address

Month, Day, Year

Mr./Ms./Dr. FirstName LastName

Title
Name of Organization
Street or P. O. Box Address
City, State Zip Code

Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. LastName:

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 employers
needs. (Focus on what you can do for the employer, not what the employer can do for you.) 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 employers 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 [on hard copy])

Your name typed

(In case of email, your full contact info appears below your printed name [instead of at the top, as for
hard copy], and of course there is no handwritten signature)

Enclosure(s) (refers to resume, etc.)

(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 examples for variations in
organization and layout.)

Dear Sir,
With the utmost enthusiasm, I would like to express my interest in the
Analog IC Design Trainee position at your company. My interest in VLSI
Circuit Design has taken me from [experience] to [experience]. I believe
that my passion for [aspect of your field or background], strong
commitment to [aspect of your field or background], and interest in
[aspect of your field or background] make me an ideal candidate to join
the [department] staff at [company].
As a candidate, heres what I could immediately bring to the table:
An effective [descriptor that reflects transferable skill #1]: In my
role at [previous job], I [action or accomplishment]. I was also able to
showcase my [skill] abilities as a [role] in [project name] project by [what
you did].

A disciplined [descriptor that reflects transferable skill #2]: I

have always displayed my careful approach to [job duty] by [action]. At
[previous company], I frequently [action]. In addition, I had the
opportunity to [action or accomplishment], which further shows my
dedication to [aspect of your field].
A

passionate

[descriptor

that

reflects

transferable

skill

#3]: Everything I have engaged in so far has all been driven by my keen
interest in [aspect of your field]. Even as a [previous role], I made sure to
dedicate some part of my day to [action]. It is this passion that has driven
every one of my career decisions thus far.
I look forward to contributing my skills and experiences to the [position
title] position at [company] and hope to have the opportunity to speak
with you further about how I can be an asset to your team.
Sincerely,
Pallav Mahapatra