Letter #1:

I am responding to your advertisement in the Doe Post inviting applications for a position in chemical engineering. I am currently a research chemist for Johnson Chemical Corporation where I enjoy my work, but I would prefer participating in your research program on new plastics.

I have worked on a number of projects dealing with different polymerization processes and am involved in researching aeronautical applications of polyethylene products. My interest in plastics began at Doe University, where I wrote my graduate thesis on early uses of polyethylene.

I am enclosing my resume and look forward to an opportunity for a personal interview.

Letter #2:

Last week I spoke with Jane Doe about the clinical director position at your facility. We both agreed that the job matches perfectly with my goals and qualifications.

I spent six years as clinical coordinator in charge of two 26-bed units at the Springfield facility. In that position I developed two new programs that are now widely used in clinical treatment.

My postgraduate fellowship in clinical research at Springfield University has prepared me to manage the experimental units at the main clinic. The attached resume will provide more details about my experience and education.

I am eager to meet with you to discuss how my qualifications could meet your needs.

Letter #3:

I am writing to you in response to your Internet advertisement requesting applicants for the position of Technical Writer in Springfield University's archaeology laboratory. I hold bachelor's degrees in archaeology and English and have three seasons' experience in excavation and lab work, including data entry, artifact cataloging, and preparations for the various methods of artifact dating. In addition, I wrote the chapter detailing survey methods for Dr. John Doe's "Final Report on the Centerville Field School Project." This work involved transcribing the field notes onto Laboratory of Anthropology forms, mapping and recording sites by section, township, and province, as well as creating a narrative description of the project's survey methods.

The years spent in the English department have prepared me for the challenges of writing for a variety of readers, and much of my creative writing has been published. Also, under the guidance of Dr. Doe I have directed my efforts within archaeology toward writing. Archaeology needs writers to make it interesting, especially in this time of budget cuts and battles over land use.

I believe I would qualify as "proficient" in the use of most of the popular spreadsheet programs and other relevant computer applications. I have spent several months entering data and crunching numbers in the service of archaeology.

Please see the attached resume for further details of my qualifications. I will gladly provide references at your request. I can be reached at 555-5555. I look forward to meeting you in person and discussing my suitability for this position.

Letter #4:

I am applying for the teaching position you advertised in The Springfield Herald. As you will notice from my enclosed resume, I have several years' experience as an English teacher and I recently earned my MA degree from Springfield University. During my graduate work I was particularly interested in adult education and did my thesis research in this area.

During my years of teaching ESL part-time, I have developed instructional materials designed to teach English as a second language to adults. I have also developed exceptional communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as computer literacy and a short learning curve with excellent retention, I also have effective interpersonal skills that give me leadership abilities as well as enable me to work either independently or with a team. At this time I am seeking a full-time teaching position. I am confident that my qualifications and experience will benefit your organization and would appreciate the opportunity to schedule an interview with you at your convenience. I may be reached at 555-5555. Enclosed is my current resume.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Letter #5:

In response to your advertisement in the Springfield Herald, I wish to apply for the post of Office Manager. Prior to the death of my husband last year, we ran a successful carpet cleaning business for 22 years. I ran the office, supervising two office workers and a cleaning staff of 12.

Although my associate degree in accounting was acquired more than 20 years ago, I have built extensively on the skills I learned at school, including taking formal classes, several of them related to computer literacy. These are described in more detail in the attached resume.

I can offer your company a strong work ethic, a wealth of experience, and a willingness to learn. I would be pleased to discuss the position and my qualifications further when you have had a chance to review my resume. You can reach me at 555-5555.

Letter #6:

Please consider me to work with you as a health/fitness specialist to support the development and delivery of corporate health and wellness programs. I am excited about the opportunity. I believe I would be a good fit for the R&M Health and Fitness position because of my past experience in corporate health and wellness programs and my BS degree in health. My additional abilities include:

* skills in teaching group exercise classes and step instruction developed as an instructor at ABC Fitness.

* skilled in overseeing daily operations, planning, promotion and evaluation of all health promotion programs as a result of my work at XYZ Fitness.

* certification in CPR and First Aid since 2005.

* excellent organization skills developed as a fitness specialist at ABC Fitness.

* expertise in the use of computer programs acquired during my research assistantship at NC State.

* a positive attitude in all fitness endeavors leading to strong interpersonal communication skills developed during my internship and following work at Total Fitness in 2004-2005.

I am sending you my resume as a MS Word attachment. I will be happy to send any additional information you may require.

I look forward to hearing from you and hopefully working with you soon.

Letter #7:

I am writing to apply for the position of Administrative Assistant that was recently advertised in the Times News. If you review my credentials, I am sure you will see that I can make a meaningful contribution to your organization. I am a dedicated professional who thrives in a fast-paced environment, and I am adept at handling multiple responsibilities. Because I am a self-motivated individual, I work not only until the job is done, but until the job is done right.

Because of the education, skills, and experience I possess, I am well-equipped to meet the demands and challenges of this position head on. The company's success is my success, and I am ready to work hard to help your business expand and become more profitable. With my arsenal of qualifications, I am confident that I would perform very well in this position and become a real asset to your company. In return, this position offers me the challenges and responsibilities I have been seeking. I believe it is a win-win situation for both of us.

I would like to meet you in person to discuss my capabilities and how they coincide with the duties of this position. I can be reached by phone at 555-5555 or by e-mail at Jane@Doe.com. Please contact me at your convenience, so that we can arrange an interview at a mutually agreeable time.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Letter #8:

After discovering your employment listing in the (Name of Newspaper), I am writing today to submit my resume in application for the position of (Name of Position).

As my resume demonstrates, through my educational and work experiences, I have developed deep and diverse abilities, that enable me to perform as a strong and flexible (Name of Position) for your company. The extent of my understanding and talents surpasses the descriptions listed on my resume, however, and so I would appreciate the opportunity to speak with you personally about how I could offer unique and quality contributions to your company.

Please contact me at your earliest convenience to set up an interview. Because I am fascinated by the offerings of your company and excited about the possibility of working for (Name of Company), I will gladly adjust my schedule to allow for the opportunity to speak with you, either over the phone or in person. I appreciate your time and care in considering my application.

Letter #9:

I am writing today in response to your employment listing in the (Name of Newspaper). While visiting (Name of Company)'s Web site to learn more about the purpose and direction of the company, I discovered exciting information about the company's history and objectives, and information that strengthens my conviction that my education and work experiences make me a perfect fit for both the position of (Name of Position) and to the overall purpose and atmosphere of your operation.

In the hope that you will personally review my experiences and qualifications, I have included my resume with this letter. I would also appreciate an opportunity to learn more about the position and to discuss my abilities in greater detail. Please contact me at any time to set up an interview, either in person or over the phone. I am very interested in your company and excited about the possibility of working as (Name of Position), and so I will gladly adjust my schedule to accommodate your needs. Thank you very much for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you.

You submitted an employment application to a company that you are interested in working for. The human resources department has contacted you and you’ve secured an interview. A successful interview is essential because that’s what will determine if the company will present you with an employment offer. And to be successful in the interview you must be prepared for it. Here are a few pointers to help you prepare for your interview.

Research

One of the most advantageous things you can do in preparation for your interview is to do your homework. What this means is to find out all you can about the company you will interviewing with. Find out more about the services and/or products that the company produces. Also, if you can gather information about the company leaders, what their positions are as well as their business background. Become familiar with as much as you can about the company. The goal in doing this is to become an interactive participant of the interview.

There is one question every interviewer asks during the interview. That question is “Why do you want to work for this company?” The question may not be asked exactly like this, but something like will be asked. If you have researched the company it will make it much easier to answer questions like this without having to figure it out at last minute and you’ll also feel more confident.

Practice

Once you have done your research take some time to practice answering possible interview questions. Make a list of interview questions and then stand in front of a mirror and practice answering those questions. If you are not sure what questions might be asked go on-line or go to the local library. There is tons of literature available about being successful in the interview process, most of which have lists of possible interview questions.

If possible schedule a mock interview with someone. Family or friends may be able to help you out here. They can ask you interview questions and then critique you and let you know of any areas you might need to improve on. There are even employment services that might be willing to give you a mock interview.

Clothing and Grooming

The day before your interview select the clothing you are going to wear to the interview. If you are a male you’ll want to wear slacks and a tucked in dress shirt with a tie. If you are a female slacks and a nice blouse are acceptable. Your hair should be neat looking. Long hair should be pinned or tied back. lf you have a beard it should be presentable as well. Don’t wear blue jeans or attire that you would wear when just hanging out with friends. Your appearance will say a lot about you and how interested you are in getting the job.

Confidence

Every person who is being interviewed for a job is a bit nervous about it. It’s very normal to be a bit anxious. But you want to minimize those feelings because they can become visible to the interviewer and could make a difference in having a successful interview. Being as prepared as you possibly can be is the best way to build interviewing confidence and minimize nervousness.

Closing the Interview

As the interviewer brings the interview to a close let them know that you appreciate the opportunity to have received the interview and restate your interest in the position you were interviewed for. A follow-up thank you note is also helpful.

No matter how many interviews you have gone to it never really gets easier. That’s because each interview is different. Each interviewer is different from the last one and often the position you are applying for, although in your field of expertise, is different even slightly. Because of these variations it requires that you sell yourself and your skills differently from interview to interview. Being prepared for each one as if it were your first interview will help minimize stress and increase your chances of landing that perfect job. Here are a few tips you can use in each interview you go to.

Preparation

Part of interview preparation is in knowing something about the company you will be interviewing with. It also means knowing at least the name and the position of the person who will be interviewing you. Knowing the job description of the position you are being interviewed for is another important part of your interview preparation. If don’t already know this information you can get it by going on-line to the company’s website or by making a phone call to their human resources department.
Practice
Once you have the information concerning the company and the job position you are applying for you can develop some anticipatory practice questions you might think you will be asked in the actual interview. After making a list of these questions you can then begin practice answering them in front of a mirror or in a mock interview. Ask a friend or family member to help you with the mock interview. Also, many school career centers are a great resource for interviewing help. Your local library may have employment videos that you can check out and watch from the convenience of your home. The point is to take advantage of as many resources as possible to help you sharpen your interviewing skills.
Interview Day
As you get ready to go to your interview make sure that your attire is appropriate for the type of company you will be interviewing with. Men should wear a nice pair of slacks with a dress shirt and tie. Women can wear either a skirt or slacks with a decent blouse. Both men and women should not dress provocatively or outlandishly, or an excessive amount of jewelry. If you are going to wear jewelry keep it simple.
You will want to bring copies of your resume to the interview to give to the interviewer, even if you had submitted one with your application. Your resume should be neat, clean and professional looking. Also, take along a pen and pad of paper to take notes. Doing these things demonstrates your sincere interest in obtaining the position.
Make every possible effort to arrive to your interview on time, in fact be there a little earlier. But above all do not be late. If you show up to the interview late you just told the employer that you are not punctual and will be late to work. If you are going to be late you need to have a very good reason then call the employer to explain the reason and see if you can reschedule the interview.
During the interview stay calm and answer questions in an even and friendly tone of voice, expressing what you know about the company and how your skills can enhance and benefit the company. As the interview is speaking demonstrate interest in what they are saying, keeping eye contact while they talk. Never let your eyes wonder around the room as this will show a lack of interest in not only the position, but the interviewer as well.
As you can see the interview is largely about presentation which involves your appearance, your knowledge, and your skills. Using the above information can help you have a successful interview and increase the chance of you finding that perfect job.