LESSON 15

The Application Letter (The Cover Letter)

Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students should are expected to:
1. identify the contents of application letters.
2. write a logical and complete application (cover) letter.
3. use correct punctuations and capitalizations in writing an application letter.

Materials: sample application letters, prepared drills, Social Skills Checklist, Writing Peer
Assessment

PREWRITING ACTIVITIES
Activity 1 (Pair-Share)
Directions: Find a partner and read thoroughly the following letters of application. Then prepare
to answer the questions that follow.

Note: To ensure cooperative learning, the teacher uses the “Pair–Share” cooperative learning
group whereby two students share their ideas in answering the questions. Each person speaks,
listens, & gives feedback. The teacher monitors the activity by using the Modified Social Skills
Checklist adapted from Johnson and Johnson, 1996b on page 16.

Letter 1

March 21, 2014

DR. INOCENCIO D. MANGAOANG, JR.

Chancellor
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
South La Union Campus
Agoo, La Union

Thru: Marissa Abacco

Administrative Officer IV
HRMO II

Sir:

Greetings!

I wish to express my intent to be reconsidered as instructor in your university.

I have completed Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of the Philippines

Diliman and graduated with honors, cum laude. I have units in Master of Science in
Psychology taken at Saint Louis University, Baguio City.

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My experience for three semesters in your university has given me the opportunity to
teach and to learn as well. Not only was I able to impart knowledge in those times, I was
also able to learn a great deal of invaluable lessons from my superiors, colleagues, and
students. All these, my education and experiences, have enhanced my passion for
teaching and learning, and motivation to impart knowledge even stronger. I believe that
I still have a lot to learn.

I am convinced that I have the ability to teach, to share my abilities and to relate with
students well. Also, my skills in doing research are good. I may not be the best but I can
improve my skills and abilities and be better. I believe that my education and
qualification will make me a competent applicant for a teaching position.

Thank you for your invaluable time. I look forward to hearing from you. I would like to
welcome another opportunity to be part of your institute as a college instructor.

Sincerely yours,

Kessy Ivy M. de Guzman

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Letter 2

May 28, 2014

MS. MARISSA ABACCO

Human Resource Management Officer
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University-SLUC
Agoo, La Union

Dear Madam:

I wish to apply for the position of psychology teacher in the Department of Humanities
and Social Sciences. I graduated with the degree, Bachelor of Science in Psychology,
Magna Cum Laude. I am currently working on the final copy of my thesis in Master of
Arts in Psychology at University of the Cordilleras. With my work experience of teaching
elementary, high school, and college students as well as training and seminars on
designing for different age-groups, may I offer my service as I continue to help others
especially the students in discovering the champion within them. My training would be
of great help if I’ll be given the chance to partner with you in the field of teaching.

My being goal-oriented, task-oriented, and detail-oriented assures you that I will be

doing my duties as a teacher without compromising quality education for the students.
As you look for a partner in serving the university students with passion and sincerity,
please consider my application.

I am very willing to discuss what I have written in my resume if you will give me the
opportunity. I appreciate so much your consideration and I look forward for a face-to-
face meeting with you anytime you wish to meet me. I can be contacted at 0926-630-
2279.

Thank you and may blessings fill your days.

Sincerely yours,

MADELYN P. NIÑO

Enclosure: Resume

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Questions for Discussion
1. What are the contents of application letters?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. What should be the focus of the opening sentences of a letter of application? How
should they be phrased?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

3. How should educational qualification be discussed? What about personal qualities?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

4. How should the writer end his/her letter of application?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

5. What factors should you consider in writing an application letter?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

6. How should the writer prepare his/her resume or data sheet?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Names: __________________________ _____________________________

Activity 2 (Noting Details)

Directions: Find a partner then check the items that should be included in the application
letter. Base your answers on the sample letters.

_____ 1. certificates ____ 11. special skills

_____ 2. receipts ____ 12. seminars attended
_____ 3. licence ____ 13. graduation ring
_____ 4. awards and recognitions ____ 14.educational experiences
_____ 5. transcript of records ____ 15. trainings
_____ 6. diploma ____ 16. achievements
_____ 7. college notes ____ 17. personal data

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_____ 8. references ____ 18. membership of organizations
_____ 9. Resume ____ 19. birth certificate
_____10. writer’s address ____ 20. writer’s telephone number

LANGUAGE FOCUS

1. THE PARTS OF AN APPLICATION LETTER

Your cover letter should address three general issues: (Doyle. 2014)
First Paragraph - Why you are writing
Middle Paragraphs - What you have to offer
Concluding Paragraph - How you will follow-up
2. GUIDELINES IN WRITING THE PARTS (PUNCTUATIONS AND
CAPITALIZATION):

a. The date in the heading is always written in full. The date is always followed
by a comma.
e.g. November 4, 2010
January 10, 2012

b. The salutation starts with capital letter. It is always followed by a colon. If it

contains two words, both words are capitalized, but if it contains three words,
the second starts with small letter.

e.g. Sir: Dear Sir: My dear Sir:

Madam: Dear Madam: My dear Madam:

c. The complimentary close starts with a capital letter and ends with a
comma. The second word, however, starts with a small letter.
e.g.
Respectfully yours ,

Sincerely yours,

The letter that follows illustrates how the parts of an application letter are
arranged

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 JOHN FRANCIS B. CRUZ
Contact Number: 0908-650-3025
Address: CARES, PUGO, LA UNION Heading or
_________________________________________ Letterhead

January 4, 2015

Mr. Rogelio C. Nicolas

Dean, College of Arts & Sciences Inside Address
University of the West
San Francisco City

Sir: Salutation

I have heard that your office is in need of Bachelor of Science in

Psychology graduates. I forwarded this letter to your office with much
interest to offer my service.

I am John Francis B. Cruz, 21 years old, currently residing in Brgy.

Cares, Pugo, La Union. I recently graduated with the degree
Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Don Mariano Marcos
Memorial State University-South La Union Campus, Agoo, La Union.

During my college years, I was a consistent staffer of the college

publication. I also had the chance to help my alma mater when I
was elected as governor of the SBO where I reigned for one year. I was
able to maintain my academic scholarship until fourth year in spite of. Body
my hectic schedule. I had my On-the-Job Training at the office of my BS
Psychology Department Chair, Prof. Nicanor B. Salvacion. Here, I was
trained to deal with people and to face clients like students, teachers,
parents and visitors. My training also enhanced my computer skills,
communication skills and confidence.

I believe that my education including some of the actual experiences

will make a very competitive candidate for the said position.

I look forward for an interview anytime you are available.

Respectfully yours, Complimentary Close

John Francis Cruz Signature

Activity 3
Directions: Work with your seatmate and arrange the following jumbled parts of a brief
application letter. Use appropriate punctuations and capitalization. Indicate also the
spacing based on the sample given.

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SPACING

Source: http://w3.lphs.org/academics/dept/business/perfectjob/applicationletter.htm
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 1. Baguio City
2. 95 Naguillan Rd.
3. Dean
4. Ilocos Norte
5. University of the North
6. Dr Wilfredo N. Colinares
7. sincerely yours
8. should I qualify for the position please let me know and I shall be very glad to
meet you for an interview
9. i am a graduate of Bachelor of Science in Education Major in English at the
University of Northern Philippines .
10. i would like to apply for the position of Instructor 1 or any position I am most
qualified.
11. at present, I am an English instructor of the University of the North, Baguio city.
12. i am Mario B. Domines single and a resident of Baguio City.
13. January 10 2015
14. Sir

Body of the Letter

The body of the letter contains the following (Arsenia Sison – Allam, 2004):

Opening Paragraph

 State that you are applying for a job.

 Name the position or type of job you are applying
 Tell how you have heard of the opening.

Middle Paragraphs

 Indicate why you are interested in working for this employer and why you desire
this type of work
 For applicants with experience, point out any related experience, educational
background and specialized training that might increase your employability
 For inexperienced applicants, personal qualities such as accuracy,
intelligence, judgment, efficiency, initiative and reliability should be considered.
 It is not enough to merely say that you are loyal or enthusiastic for anyone can
make such statements. Prove such by citing your leadership in school activities,
scholastic/athletic honors, your interests and others.

Last Paragraph

 Refer the reader to the enclosed resume

 Close your letter by making a request for an interview.
 Impress in the employer’s mind your desire for an interview and how and when
you can be reached.

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The Resume
The resume contains the following:
Parts of the Data Sheet or Resume (Igoy et.al, 2001)
PARTS CONTENTS
1. Heading - applicant’s full name complete address and telephone number
2. Objective - type of position you are seeking (specific or general)
3. Education - educational background, schools attended, trainings, seminars, courses
related to the job, awards and recognition received
- year graduated, degree and major and minor fields
- schools attended starting from the most recent
4. Experience - list of work experiences starting from the current or most recent employment
backward
- jobs, including dates of employment, specific work, name and address of the
Firm
5.Personal - age, height, weight, hobbies, interests, special skills, memberships in
Data organizations, etc.
6. References - at least two or three names of persons (not relatives), their positions, place of
employment and addresses

Activity 4 (Identifying the Contents of Application Letters)

Directions: Form groups then complete the grid below. Base your answers from the
sample letters of application.
EXAMPLES (Based on the sample
CONTENTS letters)
1st paragraph

2nd and
succeeding
paragraphs

Last paragraph

Resume

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Activity 5 (Writing an Application Letter)
Directions: Review the parts of an application letter. Then write your own letter.
Choose from the list below a career opportunity where you could be possibly employed
after graduation. Use the outline that follows as your guide.

Employment Features of the Job Addressee

Opportunities
Career or Vocational They help individuals make career University of the West
Counsellor decisions and utilize tools including Iloilo City
personality assessments, interest
inventories, and other evaluation
measures.
They also help clients work on building
skills, practicing interviews, improving
resumes, and locating job openings.
Assisting clients who are dealing with job
loss or employment-related stress is also
common.
School Psychologist School psychologists work in educational Marx Fields Company
settings to help children deal with Baguio City
emotional, academic, and social
problems.
Engineering Engineering psychologists use IT CT Company
Psychologist psychology to investigate how people Malolos, Bulacan
interact with machines and other
technology. These professionals use their
understanding of the human mind and
behavior to help design and improve
technology, consumer products, work
settings, and living environments. For
example, an engineering psychologist
might work as part of a team to redesign
a product to make it more efficient and
easier to use in a work situation.
Clinical Psychologist Clinical psychologists assess, diagnose Medical Doctors Hospital
and treat clients suffering from Tagum City
psychological disorders. These
professionals typically work in hospital
settings, mental health clinics, or private
practices.
In order to become a clinical psychologist,
you must have a doctoral-level degree in
clinical psychology and most states
require a minimum of a one-year
internship. Most graduate school
programs in clinical psychology are fairly
competitive
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Sports Psychologist Sports psychologists focus on the PhilAm Sports Center
psychological aspects of sports and Davao City
athletics, including topics such
as motivation, performance, and injury.
The two major areas within sports
psychology are centered on helping
improve athletic performance or using
sports to improve mental and physical
health. Sports psychologists work in a
wide variety of settings including
universities, hospitals, athletic centers,
private consulting practices, and research
facilities.
Industrial- Industrial-organizational psychologists Johanes Company
Organizational focus on workplace behavior, often using Puerto Princessa,
Psychologist psychological principles to increase Palawan
worker productivity and select employees
that are best-suited for particular jobs.
Some I-O psychologists train and assess
employees, while others evaluate job
candidates.
Counselor Counselors help people with a wide San Antonio General
variety of problems, including marriage, Hospital
family, emotional, educational, and Tayug, Pangasinan
substance abuse issues. While
requirements vary, almost all schools
require at least a master's degree in order
to become a licensed counselor. Typical
work settings include K-12 schools,
colleges and universities, hospitals,
mental health clinics, and private practice
offices.
Special Education While slightly outside of a traditional University of Northern
Teacher psychology career, the field of special Philippines
education offers a great deal of Ilocos Sur
opportunity for those who enjoy helping
children. Special education teachers work
with students with a variety of disabilities.
In order to become a special education
teacher, you must have at least a
bachelor's degree and complete a teacher
training program in special education.

Source: http://psychology.about.com/od/careersinpsychology/tp/psychology-career-
trends.htm

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Additional Information that may help you make your outline

1. Course: Bachelor of Science in Psychology

2. Qualifications:
 Student Leader Awardee
 Second Placer - Quiz Bee, Essay Writing etc.

3. Trainings: On-the-Job Training

 Encoder (Power point, Microsoft, Excel)
 Assisting Psychological Tests
 Filing office files of the Psychology Department
 Assisting clients of the Psychology Department

4. School Experiences/Trainings: (Mention the details of your trainings

and experiences to persuade your prospective employer to hire you.
 Attendance to seminars and trainings on………
 Accomplished school projects such as ……….
 Served as secretary of the Psychology club
 Staffer of the College Paper
 Active member of _____________________
 SBO officer
 Leader of school activities (stage preparation, host of programs, trainer of
presentations etc.)

Sample Outline

1. Heading or Letterhead

20 Madriaga St.
Sto. Tomas, La Union Heading

CRISANTO DE GUZMAN
Cares, Pugo, La Union Letterhead
Contact No. 09194325764
Email ad. crisman@yahoo.com

2. Inside Address _____________________________

_____________________________
_____________________________

3. Salutation: ______________________________

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4. Body
a. Opening Paragraph
 Statement that you are applying for a job
 Position or type of job you are applying
 How you have heard of the opening
e.g. -you heard it from a friend etc.
- through advertisements
-through a bulletin of information
-you have no source but you are writing for a chance to be taken
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

b. Middle Paragraphs
 Reasons why you are interested in the position.
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
 For Personal qualities (for inexperienced applicants)
e.g. accuracy, intelligence, judgment, efficiency, initiative
reliability etc.
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

 Proof for stating such personal qualities

e.g.
your leadership in school activities, scholastic/athletic
honors, your interests and others
________________________________________________
________________________________________________
________________________________________________

d. Last Paragraph
 Expression of you desire for an interview and how and when you can be
reached.
___________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
 The resume
e.g. attached is a resume that…
enclosed is my resume that …
_________________________________________________________

5. Your Resume __________________________________________

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II. DRAFTING STAGE
Activity 6
Directions: Using your outline as your guide, write the first draft of your application
letter on clean sheet of bond paper.

III. REVISING AND PROOFREADING STAGE

Activity 7
Peer Evaluation
Directions: Find a partner and show each other’s work for evaluation. Use the Modified
Writing Peer Assessment of O’Malley & Valdez-Pierce (1996) as your guide in
correcting each other’s paper.

Activity 8
Directions: Revise your output by applying the evaluations made by your peer. Then
submit your output to your teacher for evaluation.

Modified Writing Peer Assessment

(O’Malley & Valdez-Pierce, 1996)

Author’s name: _______________________ Date: __________

Reader’s name: _______________________
Title of Piece: _________________________
Peer-assessment
This piece of writing is : ____________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

The part I like best is: _____________________________________________

______________________________________________________________
This piece can be improved by: _______________________________________
______________________________________________________________
When you are editing someone’s writing particularly an application letter, look
for these things:
1.Punctuation/Capitalization
 Punctuations (periods, commas and colon)
 capital letters (proper names, beginning of sentences, the parts of the
letter)
2. Spelling
 correct spelling (use dictionaries if needed)
3.Parts of the letter
 Does it have the essential parts of the letter?
 Does the first paragraph point out the following?
*states that you are applying for a job
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 *points out the specific job/ position
* mentions how the applicant found the job opening
* impresses the prospective employer through the applicant’s interest and
qualifications
 Does the second paragraph and succeeding paragraphs briefly describe the
qualifications and skills of the applicant for the particular position?
 Does the closing paragraph include the following?
* request for an interview
* expression of desire for an interview
* specification how the applicant can be reached/informed
* alternatives if distance makes an interview impractical
4. Sentences
 Verbs used (past or present)
5. Overall writing (paragraphs)
 Does it follow the standard practice of spacing?
 Is there a logical presentation of information?
6. Others
 neat paper/handwriting

Social Skills Checklist

(Adapted from Johnson and Johnson, 1996b)
Student: ______________ Year: ________ Date: __________
N = Needs Improvement S = Satisfactory E = Excellent
A. Facilitates Understanding N S E
1. Seeks accuracy (corrects)
2. Checks for understanding
3. Helps group recall knowledge
B. Intellectual Challenge
1. Criticizes ideas, not people
2. Integrates members’ ideas
3. Asks for rationale, justification
C. Shows Cooperative Attitude
4. Moves into group quietly
5. Stays with group, no wandering
6. Uses quiet voice in group work
7. Takes turns
8. Is willing to help others
9. Shows courtesy toward others
D. Leadership Skills
10. Gives direction to group’s work
11. Contributes ideas, opinions
12. Requests others’ ideas, opinions
13. Encourages others’ participation
14. Supports, gives recognition & praise
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