Letters That Help You Get a Job

by Zawiyah Omar

You have graduated! You are eager to make full use of your newly acquired qualification and you need to look for a job. You have scanned the newspapers' recruitment pages, have picked out some ads and you now have to draft your job application letter.

Writing an application letter is an important part of the job process as the letter will be your first point of contact with the recruiter or employer. Therefore, you want to make a good first impression.

The reality is that, quite often, it is not always the most qualified person who gets the job. How you present yourself in your application letter matters. A recruiter has to go through hundreds of letters and a good one will determine whether yours would get to the top of the pile.

The Cover Letter

Let's begin with the cover letter. This is the introduction to your resume or curriculum vitae (CV). The cover letter should not be too lengthy and preferably confined to one page. The objective is to capture the recruiter's attention.

The cover letter will include an introduction of yourself and an objective stating clearly the role you will play in the job you are applying for. It should not be full of facts that would be covered in the accompanying resume.

For example, a fresh graduate with a marketing degree can state the following objective:

"I am a qualified and highly motivated individual, seeking a position as a marketing executive in your company, with the willingness to learn and contribute positively towards the company's growth."

The cover letter should end with a request for a meeting with the recruiter on a date and time convenient to him or her. This indicates your interest in following through with the next action that you would like to undertake with the employer.

In writing application letters, avoid the following common mistakes and take note of the tips to overcome them:

• Failure to state a clear objective - ensure the objective is stated clearly in the cover letter.
• Focus on duties and responsibilities - focus more on achievements and successes.
• Too lengthy and use of big words - one to two-page document with simple text will be sufficient.
• Poor resume formatting and layout - have a structured, clear and easy-to-read format.
• Poor grammar and wrong spelling and punctuation - do the necessary to edit the finished cover letter and resume. You may have a friend or colleague assist in proofreading your material.

Make the effort to individualise your letter as much as possible.

The Resume

The resume is just as important, if not more important, than the cover letter. It contains important facts about you, which can be arranged into three sections:

• Personal information
• Academic qualifications
• Career history
  (For fresh graduates, you may include industrial training, relevant part-time jobs, key activities and hobbies)

You may include referees for follow-up if required or you may provide them upon request.

The resume should be formatted to suit the job and industry you are applying for. This is where you will project your qualifications, skills and experience in the most effective way to reflect positively on yourself as the candidate of choice.

There are standard formats and examples that you may use in writing your resume. Be aware, however, that recruiters are able to spot the originality of an applicant through his cover letter and resume. So try and show some form of uniqueness.

Resume Formats:

The most common format is chronological, and if you are unsure about which format to use, then go for this one. This type of format lists your education and experiences in reverse chronological order, i.e. the most recent experience and education details being listed first in their respective sections. It is an easy and structured format and offers a concise picture of you as a potential employee.

In the functional format, your skills and experience are grouped to emphasise special skills or strengths that can contribute to the company you are applying for. This format is good for those entering the job market for the first time or has been absent from the employment scene and would like to re-enter the job market. With limited job experience, the focus is on the strengths that you can offer your prospective employer.

The combination format is simply a combination of the above two. Bring out the best on your strengths, skills and accomplishments in the functional format, followed by a detailed education, experience and employment history in the chronological format.

To attract the recruiter's attention, be creative and put into summary the most impressive and important points in the cover letter or at the top of your resume.

Applying for Jobs Online

In today's IT-savvy world, many companies and recruiting agents advertise jobs through their websites. Be adventurous, look up the websites of companies and industries of your choice, and apply for jobs online.

You will need to fill up pre-set application letters and resume formats on these websites. Make sure that as much of the information requested is provided. You don't want to have your form rejected because of incomplete information or data.

The standard formats on websites do not leave you much room for creativity. But you can use the section on "Comments" or "Others" to state your objectives or other key areas that you want to project for the recruiter's attention.

Last Word of Advice

Don't make the common mistake of sending the same standard letter to fifty companies. Make the effort to individualise your letter as much as possible.