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    • Must Do's - Application Letter
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    • Signing On - First Week
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- Must Do's -
application letter
by fergus mellon

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Having spent what can feel like a long time on your resume you may feel that for the Application Letter (aka an email with your resume attached to it!) you can write something along the lines of "Here is my application for the job, please see my resume which is attached."  This would be the wrong move and if you do this you will more likely find that you do not get a response to your application.
 
If the job that you are applying to is publicly posted you will be competing with 100+ applicants so you will need to give the recruiter a reason to click to open your attached resume and also a reason to call you into an interview.
 
To do this your application letter/email will need to be concise so that the recruiter does not get bored, but also contain enough information to get them interested.  Not easy!
 
Basically, your application letter should go something like this:
 
Application - ESP Position
 
Dear XYZ,
 
I enclose my application for the Early Stage Professional position and attach my resume.
 
As you will see I have some great experience in the area having interned at [insert prestigious internship].  Not only did this internship give me great insight into the role that I am applying for here, but I was a successful intern.  The project that I worked on [insert project name] involved working across a variety of functions with the goal of recommending that the company focused on [insert activity / product / etc].  I showed that I was not only able to deliver a significant project but I also proved that I had the inter-personal skills to succeed in the workplace.
 
In addition to my internship experience I will be graduating from The University of TBD in June.  My Major is in [Insert Degree] and expect a grade of x.0 (if you have a low grade leave the grade out!).  In addition to graduating with a relevant degree I was also member of the [Debate Team / Student Newspaper / Sports Club / Etc] and held the leadership position of [President / Treasurer / Marketing Head / Etc].
 
I have always enjoyed excellent relationships with my peer group of students, work colleagues and management and am ambitious, hardworking and focused on success.

I am [excited] [interested] by the opportunity to work at [Company Name] as I am very interested in the sector having [interned] [spoken to xy firm] [other motivation] and believe I could add to your [insert relevant project] to drive the business forward.
 
Please let me know if you have any questions I look forward to discussing my application with you further at interview.
 
Yours sincerely,
Ambitious ESP
 
Note: Can you see why it is so hard to get that first job?  You got it!  Despite being qualified for the role, you will not really stand out that much from many of your peers.  If you got a great degree and if you did some great internships you will still not really stand out.  Many people will have very similar credentials.  I say this not to depress you (I promise!), but instead to set expectations.  It can be a grind to get that first job so you will need to stick at it!  (For more on how to stay motivated during your job search see: Keeping Motivated Through the Search).. 
 
For more information on writing a great application letter try these resources:
The Muse: How to Write a Cover Letter: 31 Tips You Need to Know
Harvard Business Review: How to write a Cover Letter 
 
Next Section: Should You Take an Unpaid Internships? or skip to Job Interview

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Visiting these pages because you've been to a number of interviews and not yet got a job?  Don't worry. Or if you're worrying know that it's common for a job search to take months and not days.  Here are some related columns on keeping motivated and dealing with the stress of it all: 
​

Keeping Positive During Your Job Search
Dealing With Rejection and Feedback
Overwhelmed? Try a Mental Refresh


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Must Do's

Resume
The Application Letter 
​
The Free Conundrum: Should You Take an Unpaid Internship?

Groundwork

Informational Interviews 
Taking a Shortcut: Using Your Network 
Dealing with a Low GPA
​Responding to Recruiters

Dealing with Rejection

You Don't Get the Job: Getting Feedback
​Keeping Motivated Through the Search

Closing the Deal & Signing On

The Job Interview
Interview Questions
Questions You Should Ask
Simulations 
Interviews with Other Applicants
Dealing with References
Negotiating Your Salary
How to Resign (if you already have a job)
​
The First Week

Wise Words

Annual Reviews
Layoffs.  The Afterlife
Your Manager As Partner
Owning Mistakes

Crushing IT

Money

Library

WISE WORDS

Bureaucracy

Copyright © 2016 - 2020
  • Home
  • Getting a job
    • Must Do's - Resume
    • Must Do's - Application Letter
    • Must Do's - Internships
    • Groundwork - Informational Interviews
    • Groundwork - Your Network
    • Groundwork - GPA Issues
    • Groundwork - Recruiters
    • Dealing with Rejection - Feedback
    • Dealing with Rejection - Keeping Motivated
    • Closing the Deal - The Interview
    • Closing the Deal - Interview Q's
    • Closing the Deal - Your Questions
    • Closing the Deal - Simulations
    • Closing the Deal - Group Interviews
    • Closing the Deal - References
    • Signing On - Salary Negotiation
    • Signing On - How to Resign
    • Signing On - First Week
  • Crushing It
    • The Hours - What Time Should I Start
    • The Hours - What If I Am Running Late?
    • The Hours - Taking Vacation
    • The Hours - Sick Days
    • The Hours - Working Outside Office Hours
    • Professional Skills - One/Ones
    • Professional Skills- Making Meetings on Time
    • Professional Skills - Business Presentations
    • Professional Skills - Social Media, Personal Email
    • A Level Head - Feeling @ Home
    • A Level Head - Be YourProfessionalSelf
    • A Level Head- Staying Positive
  • Wise Words
    • Achieve - Focus on the Results
    • Achieve - Leading from the Start
    • Achieve - Showcase Your Work
    • Achieve - Small is BIG
    • Achieve - Take Action
    • Achieve - Your New Job. A Plan
    • Career Management - Annual Review
    • Career Management - Annual Review Feedback Meeting
    • Career Management - Annual Review: How to Guide
    • Career Management - Career Contentment
    • Career Management - Careers Happen
    • Career Management - Career Journey
    • Career Management - Choosing a Mentor
    • Career Management - Development Planning
    • Career Management - Discomfort Is Good
    • Career Management - Freelancing and Employment Gaps
    • Career Management - Mentally Healthy Choices
    • Career Management - Mentorship Explained
    • Career Management - Post Graduate Degrees
    • Career Management - Promotion Frustration
    • Career Management - Promotions. Move out to move up
    • Career Management - Selecting Your Company
    • Career Management - Understand Yourself
    • Finances - Preparing for a Downturn
    • Finances - Retirement Saving (1)
    • Finances - Retirement Saving (2)
    • Finances - Workplace Benefits
    • Hindsight - Balance the Short- with Long -term
    • Hindsight - Embrace Learning & Your Manager
    • Hindsight - Focus at Work
    • Hindsight - Millennial Reflections
    • Hindsight - Regrets: Time, Money & Pride
    • Hindsight - Take a Career Mulligan
    • Hindsight - Take Advice Sparingly
    • Hindsight - Transition from College
    • Hindsight - Winning Nicely
    • Hindsight - Work Hard. Be Honest. Have Fun
    • Managing Up - Manager as Partner
    • Managing Up - Manage Up to Move Up
    • Managing Up - Mastering Your Manager
    • Managing Up - New Manager
    • Managing Up - Questions For Your Manager
    • Managing Up - Secret Skills of Managing Up
    • Managing Up - Yes Power
    • People & Teamwork - Be a Giver
    • People & Teamwork - Collaboration is Power
    • People & Teamwork - First Time Manager
    • People & Teamwork - LinkedIn as Networking
    • People & Teamwork - Networking Hacks
    • People & Teamwork - Networking as Relationship
    • People & Teamwork - Networking Simplified
    • People & Teamwork - Reputations Travel
    • People & Teamwork - Teamwork as Leadership
    • Sliding Doors - Decision Paths
    • Sliding Doors - Success Requires Luck
    • Speed Bumps - Chutes & Ladders
    • Speed Bumps - Layoffs & Survivors Guilt
    • Speed Bumps - Laid Off? Take a Breath
    • Speed Bumps - Layoffs. The After Life
    • Speed Bumps - Owning Mistakes
    • Work Life - American Work Culture
    • Work Life - Ask Why
    • Work Life - Be Yourself. Be Genuine
    • Work Life - Browned Out?
    • Work Life - Business Travel Guide
    • Work Life - Calendar Management
    • Work Life - Change is Certain
    • Work Life - Difficult Situations
    • Worklife - Focus on Fiyah
    • Work Life - Ghosting
    • Work Life - Help the Early Stage Professionals
    • Work Life- International Remote Working
    • Work Life - In the Zoom
    • Work Life - Mom Skills
    • Work Life - Office As A Stage
    • Work Life - Office Ghouls
    • Work Life - Pre Vacation Checklist
    • Work Life - Returning to Work
    • Work Life - Smartphones & The Office
    • Work Life - Speak Up
    • Work Life - Stage Fright
    • Work Life - Startup Glamour
    • Work Life - Stress Management
    • Work Life - Take A Walk
    • Work Life - Tasks We Hate
    • Work Life - They Quit
    • Work Life - Unlimited Vacation
    • Worklife - Vacation Overview
    • Work Life - Welcome the Newbies
    • Work Life - "Work" From Home
  • Money
    • Money - The Basics
    • Money - Saving for Retirement
    • Money - Retirement Saving
  • Library
    • Book Reviews
    • Webinar Hub
    • USA Today Columns
    • Buy Early Stage Professional
    • Bureaucracy
  • Help Center
    • Annual Reviews
    • Career Speed Bumps
    • Managing Up
    • Promotions & Career Planning
    • Stress Management