1.

Standard, conservative style

This is ideal for sectors such as business, law, accountancy and retail. For more creative sectors,
a letter like this might be less appealing, and could work against you.
Dear Mr Black,
Please find enclosed my CV in application for the post advertised in the Guardian on 30
November.
The nature of my degree course has prepared me for this position. It involved a great deal of
independent research, requiring initiative, self-motivation and a wide range of skills. For one
course, [insert course], an understanding of the [insert sector] industry was essential. I found this
subject very stimulating.
I am a fast and accurate writer, with a keen eye for detail and I should be very grateful for the
opportunity to progress to market reporting. I am able to take on the responsibility of this
position immediately, and have the enthusiasm and determination to ensure that I make a success
of it.
Thank you for taking the time to consider this application and I look forward to hearing from you
in the near future.
Yours sincerely
2. Standard speculative letter
This may vary according to the nature of the organisation and the industry you're applying to.
Dear Mr Brown,
I am writing to enquire if you have any vacancies in your company. I enclose my CV for your
information.
As you can see, I have had extensive vacation work experience in office environments, the retail
sector and service industries, giving me varied skills and the ability to work with many different
types of people. I believe I could fit easily into your team.
I am a conscientious person who works hard and pays attention to detail. I'm flexible, quick to
pick up new skills and eager to learn from others. I also have lots of ideas and enthusiasm. I'm
keen to work for a company with a great reputation and high profile like [insert company name].
I have excellent references and would be delighted to discuss any possible vacancy with you at
your convenience. 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.
Yours sincerely
3. Letter for creative jobs
We've used the example of a copywriter but you can adapt it for your profession. The aim of a
creative letter is to be original and show you have imagination, but understand what the job
entails. Balance is essential: don't be too wacky, or it will turn off the reader.
Dear Ms Green,
Confused by commas?
Puzzled by parenthesis?
Stumped by spelling?
Perturbed by punctuation?
Annoyed at the apostrophe? (And alliteration?)
Well, you're not alone. It seems that fewer and fewer people can write. Unfortunately, there are
still a lot of people who can read. So they'll spot a gaffe from a mile off. And that means it's a
false economy, unless you're 100% sure of yourself, to write your own materials. (Or to let
clients do it for themselves.)
To have materials properly copywritten is, when one considers the whole process of publishing
materials and the impact that the client wishes to make, a minor expense. Sloppiness loses
clients, loses customers.
There is an answer. Me. Firm quotes are free. You can see some of what I do on my multilingual
website at [insert web address]. If you'd like, I can get some samples out to you within 24 hours.
And, if you use me, you'll have some sort of guarantee that you can sleep soundly as those tens
of thousands of copies are rolling off the presses.
Luck shouldn't come into it!
With kindest regards
Other helpful resources