cover letters can be written in various styles and formats. for each situation a certain style would be suitable. a letter responding to a job advertisement would be different to a speculative letter sent to an employer that hires people in your field. you would use a different introduction and include different types of information for both styles.
求职信 的格式和风格可以很多样。根据具体情况选择适宜的风格。针对招聘广告发出的 求职信 和发给特定招聘者的 求职信 必定有所不同，所以必须使用不同风格的自我介绍和个人信息。
likewise if you were submitting a cover letter, after being referred from a colleague, you would want to explain who you were being referred from. similarly for an internal position or promotion in an organisation, it would be sensible to explain you currently work for them.
同样，在同事的推荐后提交了一份求职信，你需要说明谁是举荐人。这同样适用一个组织内的内部职位的申请和举荐，说清楚你现在的工作内容是明智之举。
let’s look at the differences between a standard and speculative cover letter.
现在让我们看看标准求职信和投机求职信两者的区别。
firstly a standard covering letter:
第一封标准求职信
dear mr. jones,
亲爱的jones先生，
my name is john smith and i enclose my cv for consideration for the post of environmental engineer, advertised in the times on october 21st
本人john smith，申请10月21日发表在泰晤士报上的环境工程师职位，并附以 简历 。
the nature of my degree course has prepared me for this position. i became interested in environmental engineering during my second year at university. my course involved an understanding of the water purification industry, which i found most stimulating. i am particularly attracted to johnsons engineering ltd because of the high reputation of your graduate training scheme
我的专业跟这个职位十分对口。在我大学二年级的时候我开始对环境工程感兴趣。我的课程主要是涉及水净化行业。这让我十分高兴。贵公司的研究生 培训 计划享有极高的声誉，这一点大大地吸引我。
during my time as a student i had a variety of part time and vacation jobs, which all developed my sense of working in a team. in particular, my time as a volunteer in a canal reclamation project required me to supervise a small group. i have a strong sense of public responsibility and also the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that i would make a success of this important position
学生时代，我花很多的课余时间和假期用于兼职，并积极提升自身的团队合作意思。特别是，曾经我作为一个运河填海项目的自愿者，并管理一个小团队。我有了强烈的社会责任感，并有强烈的热情和决心去胜任这个职位。
i will be available for an interview at any time, apart from november 4th to 6th when i am attending a wedding in scotland. thank you for taking the time to consider this application and i look forward to hearing from you in the near future.
除了11月4号到6号我需要去苏格兰参加一个婚礼，其他时间都是可以参加 面试 的。感谢你可以给我一次 面试 的机会，希望很快可以收到您的来信。
yours sincerely
你最真诚的，
now let’s look at a standard speculative letter, which you would send if you were enquiring about the possibility of a job. it would, of course, vary according to the nature of the company:
现在再看一封标准的投机求职信，当你想要询问有无工作机会可以投这封。当然这需要根据公司性质的不同做适当的调整。
dear mr. brown,
亲爱的jones先生，
i am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies in your company. i enclose my cv for your information
我写这封信的目的是需要咨询贵公司是否还有职位空缺。附上我的 简历 供你参考。
my reasons for wishing to work for jenkins and co. are because of the high reputation of your quality products and the opportunities you offer for career development. i am currently seeking a position in marketing but would be happy to consider other related positions within your organization
我想成为贵公司的一员有以下两个原因：其一贵公司的产品质量享有很高的声誉;其二贵公司为员工提供职业发展机会。我现在主要是找市场一类的职位但是贵公司能提供的其他相关职位，我也是十分喜欢的。
as you can see, i have had extensive vacation work experience in office environments, giving me varied skills and the ability to work with many different types of people. i know that a marketing manager needs to be flexible and to get results under pressure. these are qualities that my experience shows i possess
正如你所看到的，在假期兼职中我获得丰富的办公环境的工作经验，并掌握多样的工作技能，以及和各式各样的人工作的经验。我知道作为一个销售经理必须具备很强的灵活性以及高强度的抗压能力。这些品质在我的经历中一一验证。
i would be most grateful if you could consider me for any suitable positions available within your company. i have excellent references and in case you do not have any suitable openings at the moment, i would be grateful if you would keep my cv on file for any future possibilities.
我将不胜感激贵公司可以为我提供任何适合的工作机会。假若现在没有合适的职位，可以将我的 简历 先放入贵公司的人才库，以后有合适的机会也可以考虑，非常感谢。
i am available for interview at any time and look forward to hearing from you
任何时间我都可以接受 面试 ，静待佳音。
yours sincerely
你最真诚的，
glossary
词汇
formats (noun) layouts, general appearances
格式(名词)
speculative (adj) showing curiosity, questioning
推理的(形容词)
purification (noun) process of removing impurities, cleaning
净化(名词)
stimulating (adj) exciting, inspiring
刺激的(形容词)
reclamation (noun) restoration
再回收(名词)
supervise (verb) direct, oversee
监督(动词)
on file (noun) recorded in a database
存档(名词)
covering letters: the beginning, core and ending
求职信：开头、正文及结尾
when you write a covering letter it is important to have a structure. a typical structure would have four paragraphs and should answer four “w” questions: what job are you applying for? why do you want to work in this sector and organisation? what are you offering? when are you available for interview?
求职信的结构非常重要。经典结构是有四大段的，必须回答4个什么：申请什么职位?为什么要申请这个部门组织?你可以为公司做什么?什么时候可以接受面试?
in your first paragraph you should state the job you are applying for and where you found it. companies like to know which of their advertising sources is successful, so tell them if you found it online, through a newspaper or from another source. you should also inform them of when you are available to start.
第一段需要说明你申请的职位以及求职信息的来源。公司想要知道他们哪条广告是有效果的，所以请告知他们你是在网上，还是报纸，或者其他途径看到招聘信息的。你还需要告知可以接受面试的时间。
in the second paragraph tell them why you are interested in that type of work and why the company attracts you. if, for example, it is a small company say you prefer to work for a small, friendly organisation.
第二段需要告知你对这份工作的兴趣点在哪里，以及对方公司吸引你的原因。例如，对方是家小公司，你就说你喜欢在一家小的、比较友善的公司工作。
summarise your strengths in the third paragraph and state why they would be an advantage in the job. you should match and relate your skills to the competencies that are required for the job.
在第三段总结自己的优势，并简单得解释为什么这些优点将会成为工作上的优势。你必须将你的技能和职位的能力要求相关联、相匹配。
in the final paragraph mention any dates that you won’t be available for an interview and remember to thank the employer and say you look forward to hearing from them.
最后一段要指出不能参加面试的时间，并对雇主表示感谢，期望从他们那里得到回复。
you should use only one side of a4 paper and use the same font as you used in your cv.
求职信只要占用a4纸的一面即可，并使用与你的简历相同的字体。
when you start the letter, try to personalise it by finding out the name of the person to write to. one statistic states that a covering letter and cv addressed to the correct person are 15% more likely to receive a reply and 5% more likely to get an interview. remember when you start with a specific name, e.g. “dear mr. jones”, you should end with “yours sincerely”. if you can’t find the name and have to start “dear sir or madam”, end your letter with “yours faithfully”.
在开始写信时，尽可能找出收信人的信息。据调查表明，给特定的人发求职信和简历可以收到高15%的回复以及高5%的面试机会。记住当你以特定称呼开头时，例如“dear mr. jones”，必须以“yours sincerely”结尾。当你找不到特定收件人时，只能以“dear sir or madam”开头，必须以“yours faithfully”结尾。
here are some examples of popular ways to start a covering letter:
以下有几个比较好的求职信的开头：
my name is ______ and i am writing in response to your advertisement
我的名字是______。我是看到贵公司的广告后准备投的简历。
i am writing in response to your advertisement in/for
我写这封信是为了申请广告中的职位。
further to your advertisement in______, i should like to apply for
我想投递贵公司______广告中的职位。
i am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies for_____
我想问下贵公司______职位是否有空缺。
as you will see from cv
正如你从简历中所看到的
power words are key words and phrases that you should try to use during the core part of your cover letter; paragraphs two and three. they will give your letter more impact; think about how you could use words like these:
你需要在求职信的核心正文(第二、第三段)中使用一些重点 单词 和词组。让你的求职信看起来更加生动。考虑下你会如何使用以下 词汇 ：
achieved advised analysed budgeted
实现 建议 分析 预算
capable communicated competent consolidated
能力 沟通 能力 综合
consulted coordinated created developed
咨询 协调 创造 发展
efficient experienced implemented initiated
有效 经验 实施 启动
managed monitored negotiated organised
管理 检测 谈判 组织
participated planned proficient profitable
参与 组织 精通 盈利
promoted qualified researched resourceful
推荐 胜任 调查 足智多谋
successful supervised versatile wide experience
成功 监测 多功能 经验丰富
don’t try to use them all at once but they will help you create a more dynamic cover letter. remember it is your letter, so use your own words not formal boring clichés. the tone of your letter should professional, positive and informative.
不要一次性地将所以的 词汇 都用上，这些可以丰富你的求职信。记着这是你自己的求职信，不要使用那些不正规的陈词滥调。务必保证你的求职信的基调是专业、积极和翔实的。
glossary
词汇
core (noun) central part
核心部分(名词)
competencies (noun) abilities
能力(名词)
font (noun) set of one type size in printing
字体(名词)
budgeted (verb) estimated the cost of
预算(名词)
consolidated (verb) combined, strengthened
加强(动词)
implemented (verb) carried out
实施(动词)
initiated (verb) began, introduced
开始(动词)
monitored (verb) checked quality of, supervised, directed
监督(动词)
negotiated (verb) talked terms, discussed the terms of an arrangement
谈判(动词)
proficient (adj) skilled
技巧的(形容词)
resourceful (adj) ingenious, imaginative, capable
足智多谋(形容词)
versatile (adj) capable of doing many things well
多样的(形容词)
dynamic (adj) energetic
动态的(形容词)
clichés (noun) overused expressions
陈词滥调(名词)
advice on covering letters
关于求职信的几点建议
use one side of a4 paper, plain white photocopier paper is fine. if you are emailing it put it in the body of the email; don’t attach it.
使用a4纸的一面、纯白的复印纸就可以了。如果要发邮件，请将内容放正文里，不要放在附件里。
make sure you use the same paper as you used for your cv; it demonstrates professionalism.
确保你用的纸张与简历用的纸张是一样的。这是专业性的体现。
use no more than four paragraphs.
内容请不要超过四段。
make sure your letter is an original and not a copy. print it with a good quality printer. if you send a copy it reflects badly on you and shows you didn’t care enough to spend the time creating a letter specifically for them.
确保内容的原创性，切勿抄袭。请用好的打印机打印。一份非原创的求职信会给人留下不好的印象，显得你不够用重视它，并没有花特别的时间去完成。
address the letter to the correct person and make sure his or her name is spelt correctly. use their correct title and be sure to get their gender right.
将求职信准确地发给对方，收件人的名字务必拼写正确。使用正确的称呼和性别。
the spell check on your word processor will pick up some errors but you need to double check your spelling and grammar. spell check wouldn’t pick up on the difference between “from” and “form” for example. break down any contractions; that is to say, write “i have” not “i’ve”. an applicant who demonstrates perfect spelling and grammar is much more likely to impress an employer.
使用文字编辑器对进行文字拼写一次检查，但有必要对拼写和语法进行二次检查。因为拼写检查是不会查出”from”和”form”这两个词的错误的。展开全部缩写，即书写”i have”而不是”i’ve”。一个可以完美展示拼写和语法功底的应聘者会给招聘者留下更深的印象。
use your own words, your letter should sound like you. however don’t be too informal, it is a business proposal you are making, so the letter should be set out like a business letter; use a traditional business letter format.
使用自己的语言，让你的求职信文如其人。但是不能太不正式，因为这是一封以商务为出发点的信件，所以求职信至少要像一封商务信件，并使用传统的商务信件格式。
sell yourself but emphasis what you can do for the company, don’t talk too much about yourself. generate excitement and be positive.
推销自己，但是要强调自己可以为公司做贡献，切不可一直在讲自己，要给人一种活跃、乐观的印象。
if you want to explain any gaps in your cv that might concern an employer; don’t tell lies, instead reinterpret the missing time as something positive. for example, a year spent travelling can be spun as an opportunity to develop initiative and team working skills through solo and group travel.
解释简历中可能涉及雇主不喜欢的一些观点，请不要说谎，而是用乐观的事件解释。例如以一年旅游作为契机，借个体和团体旅游发展自己的主动性和团队合作精神。
keep it simple. use clear and concise sentences. use a maximum of seven lines in each paragraph and vary the sentence length.
保持简单。使用清新简明的句子。每一段最多7行，并且句子的长度要多变。
make your presentation interesting. highlight your skills and attributes in bold or indent them with bullets. underlining isn’t as effective or clear, so avoid it.
让文字生动有趣。用粗体和缩进等方式突出你的技能和特点。
demonstrate you have researched the company by including some information. don’t overdo it, but make it clear you know who they are, what they do and why you have chosen them.
证明你对公司有所了解。不用太多，但是你要清楚他们是谁，他们是做什么的以及你为什么要选择他们。
request an interview. this is your primary goal, so don’t forget to ask for one at the end of your letter. let the employer know you will follow up in a few days to ensure your letter was received.
要求面试。这是你的首要目的，所以不要忘了在信的末尾问上一句。在未来几天你会跟进和确认雇主收到信件。
don’t enclose a photograph with your letter unless you are looking for work in acting or as a model.
请不要在信上附上照片，除非你是是在找表演或者模特一类的工作。
sign the cover letter with a blue or black ink pen.
用蓝色或黑色水笔在求职信上签名。
keep a copy of the cover letter for your records. it’s a good idea to keep track of the cvs and cover letters you send out, as you never know when you might need to refer to something.
自己留一份求职信的副本。将其作为发送出去的求职信和简历的参照，绝对是个好主意。
glossary
重点词汇
contractions (noun) words formed from two or more individual words
缩写(名词)
spun (verb) provided a positive interpretation
提供合理的解释(动词)
initiative (noun) power to begin something
积极性(名词)
indent (verb) set the words in from the margin of the page
突出(动词)
bullets (noun) heavy dots, used in printing, to highlight something
缩进(名词)
overdo (verb) do something excessively
过分(动词)
keep track of (verb) be aware of, stay informed
意识到(动词)
