商务英语写作(修订版)第十五章

Chapter15LettersofApplication申请函ContentsofthischapterI.IntroductionII.SampleAnalysisIII.SampleContrastIV.UsefulPatternsandSentencesV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)I.Introduction1.Applyingforajob2.Applyingforadmissiontoacollege/graduateschool(additional)Twokindsofapplicationletters:1.ApplyingforaJobYoushouldbeginworkingonanapplicationletterwhenyouarehuntingforajob.Althoughemployersinviteyoutosendarésumé,theyalsoexpectyoutoincludealetterofapplication.Thetwogotogether.1.ApplyingforaJobArésumésummarizesinformationrelatedtothejob’srequirementsandtheapplicant’squalifications.Itshouldbeorganizedasapersuasivemessage.Youneedtostimulatethereader’sinterestandthenshowhowyoucansatisfytheorganization’sneeds.Thelettershouldconveyconfidence.1.ApplyingforaJobYourlettershouldalsoreflectyourpersonalstyle,sobeyourself.Butbebusinessliketoo;avoidsoundingcute.Don’tuseslang,oragimmickylayout.Finally,showingthatyouknowsomethingabouttheorganizationcanpayoff.Itgetsattention,andrevealsthatyoutrulydesiretojointheorganization.1.ApplyingforaJobTherearetwokindsofapplicationletters:Anunsolicitedapplicationletter:onesenttoanorganizationthathasnotannouncedajobopening.Asolicitedapplicationletter:onesentrespondingtoanannouncedjobopening.Whetheryouaresendinganunsolicitedorasolicitedapplicationletter,youshouldpresentyourqualifications.1.ApplyingforaJobThemaindifferenceisintheopeningparagraph.Inasolicitedletter,nospecialattention-gettingeffortisneededbecauseyouhavebeeninvitedtoapply.1.ApplyingforaJobAttentionInterestsanddesire,orevidenceofqualificationsActionFollowthefollowingstepsinwriting:1.ApplyingforaJobOpentheletterbycapturingthereader’sattentioninabusinesslikeway.Statethatyouareapplyingforajob,andidentifythepositionorthetypeofworkyouseek.Attention1.ApplyingforaJobAttention(additional)Avoidoverusedbeginnings:Pleaseconsidermyapplicationfor…Thisapplicationisfor…1.ApplyingforaJobTouseatopicthatshowsyouhavelearnedsomethingaboutthecompany.Tomakeastatementoraskaquestionthatfocusesattentiononthereader’sneedsthatthewriterseekstofill.Ifyoulearnofapossibilitythoughacompanyemployee,youcanmentionhis/hernameintheopeningsentence.Attention(additional)Waysofopening:1.ApplyingforaJobAttention(additional)IamrespondingtoyouradvertisementintheDoePostinvitingapplicationsforapositioninchemicalengineering.IamcurrentlyaresearchchemistforJohnson'ChemicalCorporation,whereIenjoymywork,butIwouldpreferparticipatinginyourresearchprogramonnewplastics.Sampleopening1:1.ApplyingforaJobAttention(additional)Willyoupleasereviewmyqualificationsforworkinyourtrainingprogram?Mythorougheducationandrelatedexperiencehavepreparedmeforanentry-levelpositionintheaccountingdepartment.Sampleopening2:1.ApplyingforaJobAttention(additional)LastweekIspokewithJaneDoeabouttheclinicaldirectorpositionatyourfacility.Webothagreedthatthejobisaperfectmatchwithmygoalsandqualifications.Sampleopening3:1.ApplyingforaJobPresentyourkeyqualificationsforthejob,highlightingwhatisonyourrésumé:job-relatededucationandtraining,relevantworkexperienceandotherrelatedactivities,personalinterestsandqualities.Adoptamatureandbusinessliketone.Linkyoureducation,experienceandpersonalqualitiestothejobrequirements.Refertotheenclosedrésumé.Interestsanddesire,orevidenceofqualifications1.ApplyingforaJobRequestaninterviewatthereader’sconvenience.Giveyourphonenumberandthebesttimetoreachyou,ormentionatimewhenyouwillbecallingtosetupaninterview.Expressappreciationforanopportunitytohaveaninterview.Tohelpreinforcetheclaimthatyouaretherightpersonforthejob,repeatyourstrongestqualifications.Action1.ApplyingforaJobThesehighlightsandtheadditionalevidencereviewedintheenclosedrésumépresentmycaseforacareerintheaccountingdepartment.MayIhaveaninterviewtocontinuemypresentation?Pleasecall0411-87654321orsendanemailtosibcdufe@yahoo.com.cn.IcouldbeinyourofficeatyourconveniencetotalkaboutworkingforABC.Sampleclose1:Action(additional)1.ApplyingforaJobIamconfidentthatmyqualificationsandexperiencewillbeofbenefittoyourorganizationandwouldappreciatetheopportunitytointerviewwithyouataconvenienttime.Imaybereachedat0411-87654321.Sampleclose2:Action(additional)1.ApplyingforaJobReferencesontheenclosedrésuméwouldbegladtocommentonmyaccountingeducationandexperience.Pleasecallat0411-87654321sowecandiscussthepossibilityofmyjoiningtheauditstaffofABC.Sampleclose3:Action(additional)2.Applyingforadmissiontoacollege/graduateschool(additional)Givethefullnameofthecollege/universityyouareapplyingfor.Offeryourreasons(thesubjectandthegoalforyourstudythere,youbackgroundinformationrelatedtotheapplication)toapply.Tellwhenyouwishtoenter.Asktosendyouacatalogandanapplicationform.Endtheletterwithyournameandaddress.II.SampleAnalysisLetterA:Anapplicationletterforanentry-levelpositionP.O.Box65246ZhongshanRoadDalian,116006March12,2013Mr.MarkJenningsPersonnelDirectorABCExpress,Inc.123XinghaiStreetDalian,116048DearMr.Jennings:Willyoupleasereviewmyqualificationsforworkinyourtrainingprogram?Mythorougheducationandrelatedexperiencehavepreparedmeforanentry-levelpositionintheAccountingDepartment.(Tobecontinued)II.SampleAnalysisLetterA:Anapplicationletterforanentry-levelposition(Continued)ThedegreeinFinanceIwillreceiveinJunehasprovidedmewithanin-depthunderstandingofthefieldaswellasanoverallviewofthemajorareasofbusiness.AsanAppliedEconomicsmajor,Istudiedallthefunctionalfields(Management,Marketing,Finance,AccountingandFinanceManagementInformationSystem)aswellastheothercorebusinesssubjects(BusinessCommunication,InternationalTradePracticeandCommerce).IbelievethatIhavetheknowledgebasethatwillenablemetobeproductivenow.AsIamseekingmyfirstjob,Imustusemygradepointrecordtoprovemyaptitude.My4.6overallaverage(ona5.0scale)placedmeinthetop10%ofthegraduatingclass.Ialsoworkeddiligentlyinstudentassociations.MyexperienceasamemberoftheSocietyforthe(Tobecontinued)II.SampleAnalysisLetterA:Anapplicationletterforanentry-levelposition(Continued)AdvancementofManagementandamemberofYouthVolunteerAssociationdevelopedmypersonalskills.IwouldbringtheseskillswithmetoABCExpress,Inc.Forthedetailsofmyqualificationsandexperience,pleaserefertotheenclosedrésumé.MayIhaveaninterviewatyourconvenience?Pleasecall8765####orwritetotheaboveaddress.Sincerelyyours,(Signature)MaryLiII.SampleAnalysisLetterB:Anapplicationletterforapositionasassistantproductmanager1501DeerParkLaneAnderson,TX77830May23,2013Ms.RachelM.RobinsonManager,HumanResourcesDelRioEnterpriseHouston,TX75835DearMs.Robinson:Youradvertisementforanassistantproductmanager,appearingMay22inSectionCofHoustonChronicle,immediatelycaughtmyattentionbecausemyeducationandtrainingcloselyparallelyourneeds.Accordingtoyouradvertisement,thejobincludes“assistinginthe(Tobecontinued)II.SampleAnalysisLetterB:Anapplicationletterforapositionasassistantproductmanager(Continued)coordinationofawiderangeofmarketingprograms,analyzingsalesresultsandtrackingmarketingbudgets”.ArecentinternshipatVentanaCorporationintroducedmetosimilartasks.IassistedthemarketingmanagerinanalyzingthepromotionbudgetandoverallsalesoftwoproductsthatVentanawasevaluating.Myeight-pagereportexaminedthenatureofthecurrentmarket,theproducts’lifecyclesandtheirsales/profitreturn.Inadditiontothisresearch,Ihelpedformulateaproductmerchandisingplanandansweredconsumers’questionsatalocaltradeshow.ThisbriefbutchallengingintroductiontoproductmanagementconvincedmethatIcouldbesuccessfulandhappyinamarketingcareer.Intensivecourseworkinmarketingandmanagement,aswellas(Tobecontinued)II.SampleAnalysisLetterB:Anapplicationletterforapositionasassistantproductmanager(Continued)proficiencyincomputerspreadsheetsanddatabases,hasgivenmethekindofmarketingandcomputingtrainingthatDelRiodemandsinanassistantproductmanager.Moreover,Ihavehadsomeretailsalesexperienceandhavebeenactiveincampusorganizations.Iamconfidentthatmyacademicpreparation,mymarketingexperienceandmyabilitytoworkwellwithothersqualifymeforthisposition.Afteryouhaveexaminedtheenclosedrésuméfordetailsofmyqualifications,Iwouldbehappytoanswerquestions.Pleasecallmetoarrangeaninterviewatyourconveniencesothatwemaydiscusshowmymarketing,computingandinterpersonalskillscouldcontributetoDelRioEnterprise.Sincerely,NancyGutierrezII.SampleAnalysisAsarésuméisrequired,doyouthinkitisnecessarytoaccompanyanapplicationletter?Shouldtheycontainthesameinformation?2.Whatkindofapplicationletterdoeseachletterbelongto,unsolicitedorsolicited?3.Whatshouldtheapplicationletteremphasizeifyouareafreshgraduate,whichmeansyouhavenoworkexperience?Key:Yes,itisnecessary.No,notexactlythesame.Anapplicationlettershouldbemorespecificanddetailed.Thefirstisanunsolicitedletterwhilethesecondissolicited.Itshouldemphasizejob-relatededucationandtraining.Questionsforcomprehension:III.SampleContrast1.AnunsolicitedapplicationletterforapositionastravelagentassistantPoorDearSirs:Asyouwillseefrommyenclosedrésumé,thismonthIcompletedmystudyinTravelandTourismatNewYorkUniversity,andamreadytoworkwithatravelagent.Istartedtotakethetrainingprogramthreeyearsagoandlearntnearlyeveryaspectofthetravelindustry.NowIhavehadextensiveexperienceinticketingandreservations.Iworkedveryhardduringmyinternshipinahotel.Iworkedhard,forIneededthemoneytosupportmyself.NowthatIgotadegree,IwantagoodjobsothatIcouldhelpmyparentsimprovetheirlivingconditions.SinceIwanttoworkinyour(Tobecontinued)III.SampleContrast1.Anunsolicitedapplicationletterforapositionastravelagentassistant(Continued)companyverymuch,Iwouldbegratefulifyouoffermethejob.Youcancontactmeatyourearliestconvenience.Callmeat7782####.Yourstruly,LindaMooreIII.SampleContrast1.AnunsolicitedapplicationletterforapositionastravelagentassistantImprovedDearMs.Vasquez:Doesyourcompanyneedamotivated,hard-workingtravelagentassistant?AsagraduateofTravelandTourismatNewYorkUniversity,Ihavetheknowledgebaseandpracticeneededforthisjob,asshowninthefollowing:Ihavetakencoursesinnearlyeveryaspectofthetravelindustry,includingHotelManagement,Hospitality,Budgeting,WorldGeography,Cross-culturalCommunication,TourisminAmerica,etc.Ihavehadextensivepracticeintourismandhotelmanagementduringmyinternship.ForfourmonthsIworkedinahotelasafloormanagerandatravelagentassistantforanothertwomonths,(Tobecontinued)III.SampleContrast1.Anunsolicitedapplicationletterforapositionastravelagentassistant(Continued)duringwhichIhadhands-onexperiencesuchasticketing,communicatingwithcustomers,dealingwithcustomers’complaintsanddiscipliningemployees.Myknowledgeoftourismandhotelmanagementandmyinterpersonalskillswillbeofvaluetoyouinexpandingyourbusiness.Theenclosedrésuméshowsthedetailsofmyeducationinadditiontothenecessarybusinessbackgroundforthejob.Pleaseoffermeanopportunityforaninterview.IamavailableMondaythroughFridayduringtheday.Youcanreachmeat7782####.Yourstruly,LindaMoore这是两封未知是否有职位空缺的求职申请函。求职者的求职职位很明确。在第一封申请函中作者描述了自己和旅游业相关的教育背景和工作经验，但陈述过于笼统。作者申请工作的理由完全以“我”为中心。公司不是慈善机构，个人的需要与困难并不能成为对方招聘的理由。此外，这封申请函一开头就提及所附的简历，这样读者可能会直接看简历，忽视申请函中对自己资历和能力的解释，起不到申请函的作用。第二封信开头明确询问是否有职位空缺，同时暗示自己有很强的工作积极性，一箭双雕。然后列示了自己与该职位有关的教育背景、工作经历以及专长，突出自己能给对方带来的益处，让对方信服。最后提及所附简历，并期望得到面试机会，符合申请函的写作要求。III.SampleContrastIII.SampleContrast2.Asolicitedapplicationletterforanentry-levelpositioninlabormanagementPoorDearSirs:Thisistoapplyforapositioninlabormanagementatyourcompany.Atpresent,IamstudyingatNewYorkUniversityandwillgraduatewithabachelor’sdegreeinBusinessAdministration.ImajorinLaborRelations.Ihavetakenallthecoursesavailableinthismajoraswellasmanyotherhelpfulcourses.Ihavehadgoodworkexperience.Youcanseedetailsintheenclosedrésumé.IamconfidentthatIamwellqualifiedforyourposition,andIliketoworkforacompanyofyoursize.Imustmakeaquickdecisionon(Tobecontinued)III.SampleContrast2.Asolicitedapplicationletterforanentry-levelpositioninlabormanagement(Continued)mycareer,soIrequestthatyouwritemesoon.IwillbeavailableforaninterviewonMay20to21.Sincerely,JohnIII.SampleContrast2.Asolicitedapplicationletterforanentry-levelpositioninlabormanagementImprovedDearSirs:Pleaseconsidermyapplicationforanentry-levelpositioninlabormanagementadvertisedintheFebruary20th’issueofChinaDaily.MymajorinLaborRelationshasequippedmeforthisposition.Iwillgraduatewithabachelor’sdegreeinBusinessAdministrationinJuly.DuringthefouryearsoflearningIhavetakenallthecoursesavailableinmymajoraswellasmanyotherhelpfulcourses.MyGPAis4.0(ona5.0scale).Currently,Iamdoingmyintern,whichinvolvesmostofthethingsyoumentionedinyouradvertisement.(Tobecontinued)III.SampleContrast2.Asolicitedapplicationletterforanentry-levelpositioninlabormanagement(Continued)Asyoucanseefromtheenclosedrésumé,Ihaveasolidbackground.Tosetupaninterviewtofurtherdiscussmyqualifications,pleasecall4200####between9:00a.m.and5:00p.m.or1384287####duringeveningsandweekends.Sincerely,John这是两封在看到广告招聘启事后写的求职信。第一封写得不太合适，信的开头用语较为古板，没有新意，而且没有提及信息来源。接下来的部分仅仅是对事实的一般性描述，没有进一步加以解释。信的结尾以“我”为中心，语气生硬。而第二封信则在开头和结尾段作了很大改进，另外在陈述教育背景和工作经验的同时，说明自己符合对方的职位要求，写作角度巧妙，语言委婉。III.SampleContrastYouradvertisementintoday’sTheTimesoffersatemptingjobtoyoungmenjustoutofcollege.贵公司在今天的《泰晤士报》上的广告为刚走出校门的年轻人提供了一个诱人的工作机会。IV.UsefulPatternsandSentences…youradvertisementin…IunderstandfromJohnthatthereisanopeningforanaccountantinyourcompany.我从约翰那里得知贵公司需要一名会计。IlearnfromanagencythatyourcurrentdirectorofPublicRelationsDepartmentisonthevergeofretirement,andthatpositionmaybeopenshortly.我从职介所得知，贵公司的公关部主任即将退休，很快会有职位空缺。IV.UsefulPatternsandSentencesIlearn/understandfrom…that…Doyouhaveapositionforasecretarywithyears’workexperience?你们是否需要一名具有多年工作经验的秘书？IV.UsefulPatternsandSentencesDoyouhaveapositionfor…?Asyouwillseefromtheenclosedrésumé,Ifeelconfidentinchallengingforthepositionofassistantsalesmanager.从随寄的简历中您可以了解到我有信心参与竞争销售经理助理一职。Asyouwillseefromtheenclosed…Fouryears’workexperienceatNewYorkUniversitygivesmetheconfidencetoapplyforthisjob.我在纽约大学四年的工作经验使我有信心申请这份工作。IV.UsefulPatternsandSentences…givemetheconfidence…ThisismyapplicationforthepositionadvertisedinChinaDaily(March3)—regionalsalesmanager.贵公司在3月3日的《中国日报》上刊登广告招聘区域销售经理，我写信应聘这一职位。Thisismyapplicationfortheposition…Ilookforwardtomeetingyousoontodiscusstheemploymentopportunityinyourcompany.我期望很快与您见面讨论我是否有机会在贵公司供职。IV.UsefulPatternsandSentencesIlookforwardto…MayIhavetheprivilegeofaninterview?我能有幸得到一次面试的机会吗？MayIhavetheprivilegeof…?Ishallbegladtocallatyourofficeifyoudesireapersonalinterview.如果您希望面试的话，我将十分高兴到您的办公室拜访您。Ishallbemuchobligedifyouwillaccordmeanopportunityforinterview.如果能给予我面试机会，我将不胜感激。IV.UsefulPatternsandSentencesIshallbeglad/obliged…Itwouldbeagreatpleasureifyoucouldarrangeaninterviewatyourconvenience.如果您能在方便的时候安排一次面试，我将感到十分荣幸。IV.UsefulPatternsandSentencesItwouldbeagreatpleasureif…Writealetterofapplicationforajobyouwouldliketohave.Youneedto－followtheproceduresforwritinganapplicationletters;formatyourapplicationletterinanacceptableway;makeyourapplicationlettereffective.Open.Additionalexercise1:Assumeyouwishtostudyabroadandgetamaster’sdegreeinthefieldofyourchoice.Writeanapplicationletterforadmissiontotheuniversity.Open.Additionalexercise2:Collegeanduniversityplacementoffices;Employmentagencies;Professionalassociations;Alumniassociations;Friendsandacquaintances;Telephonedirectories;Newsmedia…V.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Howtofindinformationonjobopening?identifywhatskillsyoupossessandanalyzeyourstrengthsandweaknesses;knowsomethingabouttheemployingcompany(itsplans,itspolicies,itsproductsanditsoperations);knowhowyourqualificationsmeetthecompany’sgoals,especiallytherequirementsoftheworkthatthecompanywantsdone.Beforeyoustartwritingyourapplicationletter,youshould:V.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Aletterofapplicationcanbeanimportanttoolinhelpingyoulandaninterview—andultimately,thejobyouseek.Althoughrésumésandjobapplicationshighlightkeyskills,experience,andeducation,aletterofapplicationservesotherspecificpurposes:Whydoyouneedaletterofapplication?V.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Aletterofapplicationcanhelpyougettheattentionofpotentialemployers.Bytakingthetimetodevelopaletterofapplication,youcansetyourselfapartfromthosewhodon't.PurposesaletterofapplicationservesV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Aletterofapplicationcanhelpdemonstratethatyou'vedoneyourhomework.Includingdetailsspecifictothejobyouseekdemonstratesthatyou'vetakenthetimetoconsidertheposition,thecompany,andtheirneeds.PurposesaletterofapplicationservesV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Aletterofapplicationshouldshowoffyourwritingandeditingskills.Inthissense,aletterofapplicationisactuallypartofyourwritingportfolioandgivespotentialemployersasenseofyou.Appropriatelydeveloped,aletterofapplicationshoulddemonstrateyourwritingandeditingskillsandenticepotentialemployerstowanttoseemore.PurposesaletterofapplicationservesV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Aletterofapplicationcanhighlightinformationthatisnotappropriateforarésuméorapplication.Forexample,yourrésumémightsaythatyouwrotetheManual;yourletterofapplicationcansupplementthisbyexplainingthatyoubeatthedeadline,finishedtheprojectunderbudget,orreceivedafloodofpositivereaderfeedback.PurposesaletterofapplicationservesV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Aletterofapplicationshouldrequestaninterview.Assimpleasitmaysound,theletterofapplicationisyourprimarytoolforrequestinganinterview.PurposesaletterofapplicationservesV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)UsepersuasiveletterstrategythatsellsyourqualificationsUseoriginalstatementsthatreflectcontemporarylanguageUseconcise,on-targetlanguagetailoredtoemployer’sneedsIncludeallrequestedinformationCommunicateknowledgeofthecompany,jobrequirements,andlanguageofthefieldTips:preparingeffectiveapplicationmessagesV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Useappropriatetonethatavoidsinsincereflattery,falsemodesty,orboastfulstatementsFocusonstrengthsandportrayapositiveattitudeTips:preparingeffectiveapplicationmessagesV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Theaimofyourletteristoadvertiseyourqualitiesasconciselyandrelevantlyaspossible.Anemployerwillposethefollowingquestions:Whyistheapplicantwritingtomeofallpeople?DoIneedwhathe/shehastooffer?Whatmakeshim/herstandout?Tips:questionsofanemployerV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)StatementoftheobviousCurrentemployers’shortcomingsSelf-condemningstatementsBoastfulconnotations/flatteryremarksBiographicaldiscourseTips:avoidingV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)SettingadateGivingpermissiontocallReportingcapabilityofresponseExpressingdoubtSuggestingaone-wayconversationSoundingoverconfidentSoundingapologetic.Tips:frequentlymadeerrorsV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Anidealletterofapplicationshouldcoveronesideofpaper,andcertainlynomorethanasideandahalf.Itmustuseaneasilylegiblefont(TimesNewRoman,Arial).AlaserprintedversiononhighqualityA4paperisalsoessential.Tips:formatV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Doestheletterhaveaclearintroduction,body,andconclusion?Doesthelettercontaininformationthat'srelevanttothepositionyouseek?Doestheintroductionincludeaforecastingstatement,anddoesthebodyfollowthroughwiththetopicsandorganizationforecasted?Afterwriting,checktheapplicationletterV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Doesthelettersupplement,notmerelyrepeat,theinformationcontainedintherésuméorjobapplicationfrom?Doestheletterprovidespecificexamples—numbers,excerpts,comments,orscenarios—thatbackupyourstatementsofcompetency?Doestheletterfocusonhowyourskills/education/experience/knowledgethatcanbenefitthecompany?Afterwriting,checktheapplicationletterV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Doestheletteruseblockormodified-blockstylecorrectly?Istheletterlimitedtoonepage(ordoesitappropriatelyprovideinformationspecificallyrequested)?Isthetonepersonableandprofessional,andnotarrogantordemanding?Afterwriting,checktheapplicationletterV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)Doestheletterrequestaninterview?Doestheletterincludecontactinformation?Isthelettersigned?Doestheletterlookclean,andisitfreefromerrors(notypos,nogrammar/punctuationerrors,andnoformattingerrors)?Afterwriting,checktheapplicationletterV.BeforeandAfterWritingtheApplication(additional)