應徵函書寫要點 Tips for Writing Cover Letters
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意思不要混淆不清 Don’t be vague.
你需要用某些特定的實例，說明你的教育背景、工作經驗和特殊技能與專長。Include specific details about your educational background, job experience, and your skills.
須考慮你的讀者是誰 Consider your audience.
你的每封應徵信函應符合不同公司和特定工作的需求，另外，信中需回應徵才廣告上提出的徵才條件。Make each letter match the needs of a particular company and a particular job. Refer to details from the job ad in your letter.
不要文不對題。Don’t ramble.
信中細節要與應徵工作性質相符合，不要拉拉雜雜寫一大堆不相干的事，最適當的長度應以一張A4的紙為限。Focus on details related to this job application and limit yourself to a one-page letter.
仔細校對你的應徵信。Proofread your letter carefully.
如同申請學校論文一樣，你寫信的態度和你信的內容同樣重要。As with the graduate school application essay, how you write tells almost as much about you as what you write.
用A4紙、黑色字體、標準留邊格式（上下2.54公分，左右3.17公分）、Times New Roman字體，字型大小12，是你的信看起來賞心悅目。Make your letter look attractive by using clean A4 paper, dark ink, standard margins and a traditional font like 12-point Times New Roman. 許多應徵者用純白或淺灰或米色紙寫信，使應徵信看起來比較專業。Most applicants use white or off-white paper because it looks more professional.
應徵函書寫要點 Top 10 Tips
1. Always send one!
The covering letter’s job is actually two fold. At its basic level, the standard one-page covering letter performs a simple courtesy function. It is a socially acceptable way of introducing you and explaining which vacancy you’re applying for or which area you are enquiring about. It also provides the recruiter with a handy list of your contact details.
2. Don’t rewrite your CV
It should provide edited, juicy highlights from your CV. But it should not merely repeat what the CV includes but rather distils the key themes into one place.
3. First Paragraph and last line
Don’t waffle in your first paragraph, make the reason you’re writing clear and sell yourself; writing what makes you better than others straight off. Finish with a call to action, request they contact you for a meeting or interview and let them know you will be in touch to discuss.
4. Talk about the company
Do some research into the company/ organisation and include information about them. Specifically tell them what you are impressed with and what attracts you to them.
5. Provide quality evidence of your qualities
Pick out the top 3 or 5 (max) qualities the employer is seeking in their advert or job specification if there is one. These should be qualities that you have already covered in your CV.
And they should be the 3 to 5 things that you refer to – not explain – briefly in your covering letter. Provide concrete examples and solid numbers wherever you can. For example, after you’ve introduced yourself in your letter you could include lines similar to these:
“You will see from my enclosed CV that I match your requirements precisely. I have worked in the Web industry for over 10 years and have led a number of development teams that have ranged in size from 5 to 20 people."
Or
“You will see from my CV that I have worked in both the USA and Canada and have worked in senior positions on aerospace contracts ranging from £15m to £180m"
Your covering letter then is an additional ‘sales’ document…selling you
6. Reflect your personality
Ensure the letter shows how motivated and enthusiastic you are. Do not include negative comments. Try to use dynamic acting verbs for each skill you are explaining, such as:
Research – Analysed, clarified
People skills – Collaborated, communicated
Teaching – Instilled, motivated
7. Relevant and brief
A well written letter should draw the recruiter’s eye to relevant experience on your CV. It is a, admittedly brief, space in which you draw a positive pen-picture of you in the mind of the employer. Ensure it is never more than a page long.
8. Contact details
Where ever possible send your letter and CV to a named individual, particularly if it is more of an enquiry than a specific role application. Research using websites, ask friends and colleagues if they know of anyone or ring through to reception and get yourself a name and job title. It will look a lot better than sir/ madam.
9. Sign the letter
Unless you’ve had to sign an application form, your covering letter is the only place where you provide your signature. This may seem old fashioned in this digital age but it’s still a strong signal of your authenticity.
10. Neatness/ presentation
Finally, make sure your covering letter is clearly laid out with no typos or spelling errors. Do this and, compared to many jobseekers, you’ll already stand out as an impressive candidate!
