Job advertisement:
Foong Mei Mei
#13-111, Block 54,
Cassia Crescent,
Singapore 390054
5th September 2011
Signature Programme in Health Service Research,
Duke-NUS Medical School,
8 College Road,
Singapore 169857
Dear Professor David B. Matchar,
Application for Research Assistant Position
I am writing to express my keen interest for the above-stated position, which was posted on the www.jobstreet.com on the 15th of August 2011.
I graduated from National University of Singapore (NUS) with a degree in Life Science, majoring in Biomedical Sciences. I believe that I am equipped with the skills and qualities that you require for this position. As I have taken the modules Biochemistry and Immunology before, I am adequately experienced in techniques such as Enzyme-Linked Immunoabsorbent Assay (ELISA), Chromatography and Electrophoresis. Also, as an earnest learner, I am willing to pick up any new skill during the course of the job. Given my skills and ‘willing-to-learn’ attitude, I am confident that I will be of great help to your team.
I feel that a researcher should have patience, discipline and more importantly passion for the job; for he or she may have to perform the same long and laborious experiment several times a day. I was a student volunteer of National University of Singapore Red Cross Society for 4 years. My role was to provide first aid for any events in the campus or out of the campus whenever we were needed. These 4 years of invaluable volunteering experience have indeed transformed me into a more independent, disciplined and compassionate individual. With these qualities I posses, I am confident that I will be a good researcher.
With the above-mentioned traits, I believe that I can be a valuable asset to your dynamic team.
I look forward to meeting with you in person to have a more in-depth discussion on what my enclosed resume is not able to furnish. I can be contacted at (65)98882333 or u0903274@nus.edu.sg at anytime.
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Yours sincerely,
Mei Mei
Encl: Resume
Hi Mei,
ReplyDeleteI have read your application letter and I really like the way that your letter was written with a personal touch and a "you" attitude!
Illustrating your laboratory experience and knowledge on the various fields of study in the life sciences have substantiated your point on having relevant skills that are beneficial to the prosective employer's company. There is confidence displayed when you portray your qualities which makes you appear as a very viable candidate indeed.
Furthermore, the listing down of the qualities and traits that you feel a researcher should have, and then further elaborating that you do possess these qualities by describing your personal experience as a volunteer of the Red Cross Society have been effective. :)
Perhaps, it would be good to end of with your full name instead.
Overall, I feel that it is a well-written application letter.
Cheers,
Qianwen
Hi May,
ReplyDeleteI think your application letter is very well structured. Each paragraph has its own purpose and brings out the message well.
Dedication of second paragraph to your academic experiences and lab techniques learned makes it relevant as the hiring manager is most likely interested in this piece of information.
I also like the way you create an opening for your experience in volunteering in paragraph 3. It stands out as you provide your own opinion in the importance of patience as a research assistant and how your voluntary work experience would fit in.
The only minor mistake I have spotted is the word"possess" instead of "posses" in the 3rd paragraph. In all, it is a well-written letter.
Cheers,
Edward
Hi Mei,
ReplyDeleteI like your third paragraph where you share your thoughts about the qualities that you think a researcher should possess and proceed to qualify yourself by substantiating with concise and concrete evidence. Good job!
Perhaps in the first paragraph, you can include the position of the job that you are applying for instead of writing for the above stated position. This would ensure that the flow is not disrupted as the hiring manager no longer need to shift his attention to the previous line and then back to the same line to comprehend the first paragraph.
In addition, you may also want to catch the attention of the hiring manager by making a strong claim of your candidacy in 1 sentence in your first paragraph.
You might also want to focus on the two of the other important requirements which are excellent written and oral communication skills in English and advanced computer skills.
Cheers,
Kai Liang
@Qian Wen: Thanks for spending time to read through it! :)
ReplyDelete@Edward: Thanks for commenting and pointing out the error! I will take note and make changes accordingly :)
@Kai Liang: Thanks for the compliment and suggestions! I agree with you that including the position of the job and making stronger claim of candidacy in the first paragraph would enhance the flow of the letter.
Regarding your suggestion about including the other 2 important requirements in the letter, it actually came across my mind when I was writing this letter but I was worried that it would make my letter a tad lengthy. Anyway, I would still try refining and making it as concise as possible.
This is indeed my first attempt to write an application letter. So, I really appreciate suggestions and different views from you all to improve my application letter writing skills! :)