Sample Application Letter

For most applications for government jobs, public service jobs and private enterprise jobs, you will need a cover letter (application letter). When there are no selection criteria you may be only required to provide an application letter and a resume. In your application letter you must promote yourself as being able to make a contribution to the firm or agency. Make sure you are clear about your competencies and how they can contribute.

Here is a brief excerpt from Chapter 13: "Application letters".

There are five pages devoted to application letters. Your job application is made up of three or four separate documents: an application letter; a response to the selection criteria; a résumé and, if supplied, an application form. Now is the time to look at the letter.

Letters of application for government positions are not as important as the response to the selection criteria, as no formal assessment is made of it, although it may help to promote a positive attitude to you that will flow on when the response is being read. Keep it within one page. Some agencies specify that they do not need a letter but insist you fill in an application form.

Application letters are very important when there are no selection criteria to be addressed and all you have to go on is a short advertisement. You will need to examine the advertisement carefully to ascertain what is required and respond as best you can.

Formatting your letter

There are no set rules for letter writing although everyone has a personal opinion. There are lots of books and guides that sound very authoritative and set strict rules, and the Internet has lots of examples. Consider all this advice and take what you think is useful. There is some consensus on the content and format of an application letter that accompanies a response to the selection criteria. …..

There are pages of hints on structuring and presenting your letter. Eg

General guide (This is a small excerpt from Chapter 13)

Here is a guide to help you to write the letter that will accompany your résumé and response to the selection criteria:

• Use plain A4 paper.
• Keep it short. For government positions, one page is plenty. If there is no response to the selection criteria, you might need to write a little more than one page.
• Do not be too formal or use jargon. Reader-friendly, not familiarity, is the aim.
• Use résumé or linen paper and choose an easy-to-read font, no smaller than 12 point. Times New Roman is always safe but you be the judge.

Chapter 13 contains many more hints on presentation.

Sample letter of application

Karen Smith
24 Hammond Street
MOSMAN PARK
WA 6012
Phone: 1234 5678 (Business) 8765 4321 (Home)

Mr Bill Brown (You usually are given a specific name in the information package)
Human Resources Manager
Department for Planning and Infrastructure
441 Murray St
Perth
WA 6000

Dear Sir,

Position number P 4611 - Level 2 Human Resource Officer

I am applying for the above position within your department, advertised in the Public Services Notices of 10 December 2007.

I currently hold the position of Payroll and Personnel Officer in the HR section of the Treasury Department, a position I have held for three years.

I believe that my skills and experience in this work, together with my extensive knowledge of HRM procedures will enable me to make a positive contribution to your HR section. My skills are listed in my résumé, but for your convenience, I also have summarised them:

• Excellent customer service skills demonstrated when dealing with staff over payroll issues
• Five years’ experience in a personnel and payroll function
• Thorough knowledge of awards and agreements and ability to interpret them accurately for staff
• Trained in PIMS, PeopleSoft and other HRM programs
• Cooperative team worker with years of team experience
• Able to communicate clearly and apply interpersonal skills with customers
• Well-developed verbal and written communication skills

I have enclosed my résumé and a response to the selection criteria and look forward to the opportunity of meeting you and expanding on my suitability for this position in an interview.

Yours faithfully,

Ms Karen Smith
12/12/2007