Warm-Up for Application Letters
When applying for a job or other opportunity, you'll often be asked to write an application letter. In such a letter, you reveal your goals, qualifications, and skills. This unit will show you how to write a winning letter.
What Is an Application Letter?
What happens when you meet someone new? You probably tell the person your name and a few details about yourself. Next, you might talk about common interests. If the two of you become friends, you will learn more about each other over time.
Sometimes, it’s important to tell key details about yourself right away. For example, if you want to spend a week at soccer camp or volunteer at the local animal shelter, you may need to write a special letter to introduce yourself and make your request. This type of business letter is called a letter of application.
In an application letter, you give information about yourself and tell your reasons for applying for something. When writing your letter, be sure to state all of your ideas clearly and politely. If you do, you will make a good first impression, which is very important.
Thinking About Your Strengths and Weaknesses
Before you can write your letter of application, you should evaluate which skills and qualities you have and which ones you still need to work on. Here's how one student took stock of her skills.
Things I Do Well
During schoolI'm good at math. I'm a great listener and get along with my classmates. |
In sports or other extra-curricular activitiesI'm a hard worker at swim practice. I don't always win, but I never give up. I'm also good at painting. |
At homeI help my mom get my younger brother ready for school in the morning. I mow the lawn for my dad during the summer. |
With other peopleI'm a loyal and reliable friend. |
Things I Need to Work On
During schoolMy locker and desk are a mess, so I should work on my organization. Sometimes I forget to write down my homework assignments. Maybe I should use my planner more often. |
In sports or other extra-curricular activitiesI get frustrated when I don't do well at swimming. I need to do extra laps to build my stamina. I'm struggling to learn how to play the flute, and I don't practice as much as I could. |
At homeI need to be more patient with my brother. I can be stubborn when my parents ask me to do things that I don't enjoy. |
With other peopleI worry too much about my reputation. I should do better job of standing up more for classmates who get bullied. |
Evaluate your strengths and weaknesses.
For each category below, identify things that you do well and things you need to work on. There is no right or wrong answer in this activity. Your goal is simply to evaluate your skills and abilities.
Things I Do Well
During school |
In sports or other extra-curricular activities |
At home |
With other people |
Things I Need to Work On
During school |
In sports or other extra-curricular activities |
At home |
With other people |