Contact Information
Fundamental to your application is contact information which makes you readily accessible. Make sure that your telephone number is entered correctly and that your e-mail address is properly recorded.
Basic information needed is as follows:
Your name,
Street and postal address,
Your e-mail address,
Your home telephone number,
Your mobile telephone number,
Your work contact number (if usable)
Don't forget to nominate the preferred method of contacting you in your application letter body.
The Addressee:
Always ensure that you take the effort to find the proper name of the person to whom your letter is to be addressed. Addressing your letter to "Sir or Madam" just does not get down very well. If you have made the effort to find the correct name it will be noted.
Content Of the Letter
The first part of the letter should be a direct request for the position as advertised or a direct expression of interest in being considered for the position.
"I wish to apply for the position (Number 12234) as advertised on the Web on Saturday xxth, month, year and have attached the following documents for your information - Resume, Response to Criteria, other documents. "
The second paragraph should contain the reasons why you believe you a suitable for position in a summary form. Make your basic claims against the position clearly and refer to your attached documents to demonstrate their relevance.
Expand on your experience as it relates to the position that you are applying for but do not go over the top or make exaggerated claims. Make some clear statements that relate directly to your experience in relation to the position.
Third paragraph - Ask for an interview - "I would be pleased to have the opportunity to discuss my skills and knowledge in relation to this position at an interview" or "I would be pleased to have the opportunity to discuss my claims against the selection criteria at an interview..........."
Fourth paragraph - Confirm your contact details and availability for interview.
Sign the letter! Use "Yours sincerely," - Sign your name legibly! - a stylish flourish make look good but its just not necessary!
Post it!
These days there may be other options but it is essential that you make sure your application is delivered on time. If there is an option to email the application - ask for a receipt! Fax is safer but preferably confirm a faxed or emailed application with a mailed hardcopy.
If you know that there will be a panel interviewing applicants - don't bother sending a nicely bound resume - it will just be ripped apart so that the panel can have a photocopy each.
Put your nicely bound copy into your presentation folder to take with you to the interview. If necessary it can be shown to the panel with your other documents (Certificates etc)