Job hunting

Writing cover letter

First paragraph
Explain who you are and why you are writing
If you are responding to a job advertisement, state when and where you saw it

Examples:

I wish to apply for the positon of tour guide with sinaran tour and travels as advertised in the
star on 25 august 2014.

I write with reference to the above position advertised in the star on 20 august 2014
I would like to apply for the role of maitre dhotel as advertised in the star on 25 august 2014.
Second paragraph

-Confirm that your CV or resume is enclosed

-Briefly explain your educational background, qualifications and current job (if any)
-Highlight skills that are appropriate for the job applied and the company
-Provide relevant work experience
Example:
I have newly graduated from Politeknik Johor Bahru with excellent results in Diploma of
Tourism Management. As stated in my resume, during my studies, I was exposed to tour
management, promotions and environmental sustainability. Besides that, I underwent six
months of industrial training with Mutiara Travel Groups. I served as an associate tour
guide in Mutiara Travel Groups, and I am a person who can lead others to exciting
destinations and then inform them of interesting facts about the places we visit. I have
been joining local tours frequently to enhance my knowledge on locations and facts. I
believe that the knowledge and experience from those tours will qualify me for the
position.
Third paragraph
- state your attributes/personality and try to match them with the needs in the job applied (very
patient/ sociable/independent/can endure stressful situation/strong communication skills
-Add details which have contributed to your interest in the company, e.g. presentations, job fairs,
contact with representatives, etc., and state why you want to join the company

-
Examples:
-I am an adventurous person who thrives on developing new trips and making environmental education
interesting and accessible. I have a flair for leadership, communication and organization, and can
confidently lead trips for all age groups. I have good customer service skills and I love helping people
enjoy and learn from their travels.
-My previous experience as a trainee in Bangsar chilis bar and restaurant required strong communication
skills and high standard of customer service. I had to deal with customer disputes regularly and always
handled disputes in a polite and respectful manner. I enjoy working in a team, and am able to follow
instructions and lead if required. My ability to speak fluent English is also an advantage when it comes to
meeting foreign customers. I believe that my background in customer service and my friendly manner make me
an ideal applicant for the position.
Fourth paragraph
-Request for an opportunity for an interview
-Include your contact details
-End the letter politely, without fuss

Thank you for your kind attention to my cover letter and my qualifications. I
look forward to hearing from you soon to set up an interview at your
convenience.
Thank you for taking your time to review my resume. I would welcome the
opportunity to discuss how my education, practical skills and background
would quality me to be a member of TGIF Johor Baru. I look forward to
hearing from you to set up a time for an interview.
Dos

Send the cover letter to the right person at the right address
Use good quality letter paper that matches your CV or resume
Include your contact details
Customize the letter to target the potential employer
Include a proper introduction and ending
Use bullet points, if necessary, as this can make the letter easier and quicker to read
Check all technical errors, such as grammatical, spelling and punctuation errors
(including titles and addresses)
State how you would like the job application to be followed up
 Donts

The letter should be concise and to the point; you need not duplicate all the
information in your CV or resume.
Use big or long words simply to impress. This will not give an accurate
representation of yourself and you may misuse a word.