THE JOB APPLICATION PROCESS (Part 2)

Sample Application Letter

24 April 2011

Dr. Anna Rodriguez

Chairman, Department of English and Literature
College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City

Dear Ms. Rodriguez

I am writing to express my interest to return to teach at the Department of English and

Comparative Literature (DECL). A former colleague informed me of the current availability of
positions there. In line with this, I would like to request for your consideration of my
application.

I served for six and half years as an instruction with your department and, in the four
years since I have left, I have grown in experience as an educator and a scholar. I am close to
completing my PhD in Literary studies from NUS, my dissertation of Charles Dicken’s “a
Christmas carol” is currently pending examination. At NUS, I serve as a teaching assistant for 4
sems at the Department of English Language and Literature (DELL), teaching Introduction to
Literature (EN1101) and Film and other cultural texts (EN2102). I concurrently took modules in
areas such as literary theory, cultural studies, the analysis of discourses and lots of other stuff. I
also have a background in creative writing, my undergraduate major; and in English language
studies, which was the focus of my work for a master’s degree. And I am trained in professional
education and have received favorable evaluations from my students both in UP and NUS.
Given my teaching experience, academic advancement, and excellent capabilities, I believe I am
suited for a position with the DECL.
Attached in this application are supporting documents which includes my resume,
undergraduate and graduate transcripts, evaluation of students, and sample syllabuses for
subjects I have taught. I am very much willing to come in for an interview. Hoping for your kind
consideration. Thank you very much.

Thanks

ARSCruz
Aurora Roja S. Reyes
PhD Candidate, National Univesity of Singapore
 Sample Resume
Procopio E. Dimatibag
123 Talula Craft Road
Brgy. Quill, Quezon City
Contact: CP# 0999-6660210/boogernation@yahoo.com

Education
College (2008 – 2012) UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES (UP)
DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY
Bachelor of Arts in English Studies, Major in Creative Writing
Cum Laude

High School (2005 – 2008) PHILIPPINE SCIENCE HIGH SCHOOL (PSHS)

DILIMAN, QUEZON CITY
Full Scholar

Elementary (2000 – 2005) UNIBERSIDAD DE STA. ISABEL

NAGA CITY
Consistent honor student
Class President (Grade 3 – 6)
Contestant in our school declamation contest (2003 – 2005)

Preschool (1998 – 1999) WOODSTOCK INFANT SCHOOL (WIS)

NAGA CITY
Consistent “Most Friendly Student” Awardee
Winner Best Costume “Trick or Treat” (1998)
Silver Medalist 1998 Spelling Bee

Work Experience
Summers
2010 – 2012 DEVELOPMENT ACADEMY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Documenter of conference and seminar proceedings
Edited final copy
Summers
2008 – 2010 PENN FOSTER/LEARNING SERVICES, INC.
Tutor/ Instructor for Practical English
Served as correspondence staff
Part-time
2005 – 2008 BOOK SHOP CENTE, INC.
Clerk, shelf-sticker, and other miscellaneous duties

Interests Basketball, music and writing poetry

References Personal references available upon request
 Job Interview

If the employer or hiring personnel like the overall picture presented by a

cover letter and resume, they will want a closer picture. They will then ask the
applicant to come in for an interview. Job interviews can vary from structured or
formal with a set of specific questions to unstructured with more free-wheeling
conversation. Among several other types of interviews, the following are the most
common:

 The traditional one-on-one interview – the candidate is interviewed

by one person
 The panel interview – the candidate is interviewed by a group or
panel
 The group interview – the candidate is interviewed along with other
fellow candidates
 The stress interview – the candidate is asked a series of difficult and
intimidating questions to see how he/she handles stress

It is best to find out ahead of time which type of interview to expect and to
prepare appropriately for this kind of interview. It is normal to be nervous, but
there are ways of reducing this interview fear. The best way is to fight
nervousness is to be well-prepared for the interview. The following are some
general tips for preparing for an interview.

Before the Interview

Have the right mindset. Remember that the primary goal of the interviewer
is to learn whether you have the skills, training, experience and interest necessary
to fulfill the requirements of the position. Answer their questions honestly so that
you may both find out if you can meet the company’s needs.

Research

Getting information about the company you are applying to so you can
adjust your responses to fit that company. Find out specifically about the
company’s leaders, its mission and vision or business philosophy, its products,
services, or customers, and its competition. Based on this, think about your goals,
strengths and weaknesses. Think about why the company would be interested in
you. Finally, think about what the job involves in terms of duties, hours, wages,
and opportunities for advancement.

Know the typical questions asked

Below are questions collated from various sources but mainly based on
those from The Professional Development Seminar Junior and Senior Course
Workbook. You should practice preparing responses for these general types of
questions.

Getting-to-know-you-questions: Tell me about yourself. What was your

course and major in college, and why did you choose it? If you could do it over
again, would you stay in the same field? Why? What are your greatest strengths?
What are some things you enjoy doing in your spare time? What are your hobbies,
sports or interests?

Questions about your qualifications: What specific qualifications do you

have for this job? Can you talk about your previous work experience, whether
part-time jobs or internships? Why should we hire you when there are other
applicants with better credentials or more experiences?

Forward-looking-questions: Where do you see yourself five years from

now? If you were hired for this position, what would you do to ensure that you fit
in? Do you plan to continue your education?

Tough questions: What are your greatest weaknesses? Is there anything

you would like to change about your personality? What is this and why? How did
you prepare for this interview? Do you feel you achieved the best-grade-point
average of which you were capable in college? Have you ever faced an ethical
dilemma? What did you do and how did you feel about it? If a superior gave you a
specific instructions to do something in a particular way, and you knew that way
was wrong, what actions would you take?
 Questions about money: What kind of salary do you expect? How much did
you previously earn? How much are you presently earning? By age ___, how much
money do you expect to earn? Can you take a pay cut from your current (or
previous) job?

Know what questions are illegal

According to the Business Insider Australia employers cannot ask about

your relationship status, disabilities, how much alcohol you drink, whether you
have been arrested, your religious preference, whether or not you have children,
birth control practices, living arrangements, whether you own or rent a home,
your weight and your height. None of these are relevant to the job you are
applying for. You may choose to answer the question if you feel it is harmless and
deflect the question tactfully (eg. By asking what it has to do with the
responsibilities of the position).

Prepare your own questions

Interviews typically ask the applicant if he/she has any questions. Take the
opportunity to ask about your duties, what it is like to work in the company, what
training programs are available and if there are possibilities for promotion from
this position, etc.

Practice, practice and practice.

End