What this page is for
If you don't already know and use the practices described here, this page is intended to help you apply for a position in some other group than mine.
What an application letter is for
The purpose of an application letter is to show the employer that you, the applicant,
- have read the position requirements (or, if you are applying for no
advertised position, are familiar with the work of the laboratory)
- have taken care to match your qualifications to them,
- can communicate acceptably in writing, and
- are technically competent.
Many applicants seem to think that the final point is the only one that matters.
One simple rule will help you write a successful application letter: Tell the employer explicitly, in good English, how you meet the requirements of the position for which you are applying.Address the employer, the position, and the posted requirements.
- If your letter begins with "To whom it may concern" or
"Dear Sir or Madam", or any other generic salutation or none at all, you're spamming. You won't get a job by spamming. You must apply
individually to each position for which you wish to be considered.
- Address the contact person by name.
- State the name of the position.
- State where you saw it announced.
- State your qualifications for the position for which you are applying. Do this by listing, in turn,
each of the requirements and preferences listed in
the position announcement, and concisely stating how you satisfy or do
not satisfy that requirement or preference.
- If further details about the position are provided
in the announcement or a linked WWW page, and you are seriously interested in this position, you will read
them and address them too. Employers adore such applicants. They are rare.
Write in correct and professional English
or whatever the working language of the position may be. Sloppy spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and word use, inability to write complete sentences, and indifference to standards of business and professional communication, SHOUT that your work and communication are of low quality, and that you don't care. No one wants a low-quality employee who doesn't care.
The employer is not your
roommate. Don't address him by only his first name and don't
sign with only your first name. Include in your signature the
institution and location from which you're writing, and your position
there.
A simple model cover letter
A letter like the following should succeed in getting your CV looked at, provided you appear to meet the posted requirements. You may, if you like, add information about your interests and accomplishments, but only those that bear on the position for which you're applying.Dear [TITLE AND NAME OF EMPLOYER]
I would like to apply for the ... position announced on WWW site ..., with responsibilities of ... .
My qualifications meet the posted requirements as follows:
1) ...
2) ...
3) ...
My CV is attached.
[NAME (first and family)]
[POSITION, if you have one]
[ADDRESS, including institution name if you are in one]