Home > Curriculum > Application Letters > A List of Do's and Don't's
Do's:
  • include a letter of application whenever you mail out a copy of your CV.
  • Keep it short, simple and to the point.
  • Make your opening paragraph strong and clear - it may be the only one the employer reads before turning to your CV.
  • Be sure you state what you want, in this case, an interview. Say something like: "I would appreciate the opportunity to be interviewed by your company."
  • Highlight strong points from your CV relevant to the job.
  • Emphasize the positive, omit anything negative.
  • Address the letter properly to the attention of the appropriate person.
  • Start by referring to the position and where you heard about it. You might begin "This is my application for the position of XXX."
  • Explain why you are applying for the job, and why you think you are suited to the industry.
  • Say something like: As you can see on the attached CV, I am well qualified in XXX.
  • Use powerful words: achieved, developed, succeeded.
  • Use spell check on the letter and CV.
  • Have the letter proof-read and checked by a third party
  • List what you have sent in the letter as in: I have attached a CV etc.
  • Include your telephone number in the letter as the company is likely to call with its response.
  • Use the letter to tell the employer something not included in the CV such as: I am prepared to work regularly in mainland China.
 
Don't's:
  • Hype yourself of or oversell
  • Explain why you want to leave your present position.
  • Assume you know much about the company you are applying to. You don't.
  • Decorate your letter with elaborate special fonts and graphics.
  • Use any other color paper than white.
  • Try to be smart in the words you use to show off your vocabulary.
  • Write too much. The whole point of the application letter is to encourage the reader to read your attached CV. You do this by highlight one or two significant achievements. Their curiosity should do the rest.
  • End your letter with "Thank you for your attention", or anything like it. Your phone contact details are a better conclusion.

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