The letter applying for temporary or permanent employment in a foreign country is a correspondence that seeks to facilitate a legal way of carrying on gainful employment. Most work positions abroad require individuals with a related degree. Non-citizens of the host country, though, usually end up taking on jobs outside their professional fields. Whichever the situation, a person seeking to find work in a foreign country needs to write a good letter of application for temporary or permanent employment.

Most countries pay keen attention to the resume, so make sure yours is completely updated and lists good character and work references. Notable work accomplishments must be highlighted, and use positive language throughout the application letter. Don’t overlook your academic background and include the acquired skills that your potential employer may find desirable for the available post within the company. It will also be wise to conduct some online research on the specific company you are interested to work for.

A simple but professionally written cover letter is ideal. Delete phrases that have been done to death and which are obvious, like “I wish to gain international exposure.” Incorporate, instead, country- and company-specific arguments, such as “high economic growth across many industries” or something to that effect in pertaining to the company or industry you are considering to be a part of. Here is a sample letter applying for temporary (contractual) employment in a foreign country:

Sample Application Letter

May 28, 2010

THE HUMAN RESOURCES & ADMINISTRATION HEAD
Inara Lightings, Ltd.
Abu Dhabi
United Arab Emirates

Dear Sir or Madam:

I am writing to explore the possibility of employment as Document Controller in your reputable firm. I am a Computer Science graduate of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City. I bring with me several years of experience as information systems analyst of leading companies that include Nissan Motor Philippines, Inc.

My strong computer skills, knowledge of modern word processing software, and project management tools are but some of the things that make me an asset to your company.

Attached is my resume for your perusal. Should you require any further information, I can be reached at 632-555-1234 (during regular business hours), or at 632-555-6789 (during regular business hours).

Sincerely,
(signed)
ANGELA TANAMA

The letter applying for a job, which comes with am updated resume, seeks to gain the attention of the head of the Human Resources Department of the company being approached for an available position. This type of letter highlights the contributions and skills an applicant can bring to the job/post. It may be helpful to analyze the job as well as the company, noting the assumed needs and requirements while trying to determine the most important skills the employer may be looking for.

The letter should address how the applicant will be able to meet the employer’s needs. The applicant should take the initiative to find out the specific name to whom the letter should be addressed. The letter should also be concise, and should not be cluttered with so many personal details. After all, it is a cover letter with an attached resume, not an autobiography.

Here is a sample letter of application for a full-time job.

Sample Application Letter

April 2010

MS. PASSANA PONG
The Administrative Officer
The Royal Thai Embassy in Manila

Dear Ms. Pong:

Greetings!

I am a Communications graduate of the University of the Philippines-Diliman with several years of working experience gained from some of the Philippines’ reputable private firms, a non-governmental organization, and government.

I am writing to apply for the position of Executive Assistant advertised on jobstreet.com.ph on 10 May 2010. This position particularly interests me because it would enable me to make full use of my administrative and organizational skills. I have well-developed written and oral communication skills that can be very useful in carrying out the duties for the above-mentioned position.

On top of these competencies, I adhere to a work ethic and can effectively interact with people across all levels of the organizational structure. I believe I can be an asset to your organization.

My resume is enclosed with this cover letter. It shows my overall expertise and experience in the field. I would welcome the opportunity to discuss my suitability for the position and comply with your other requirements. I can be contacted during working hours at (632) 857-0100 local 1101.
Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

JUDY D. CORDOVA
Applicant

When looking at promising work prospects in a foreign country, a letter applying for a visa to work in that country is the proper documentation to proceed to earn money legally. While permission to work & earn is built into visas in some countries, in most other countries you have to formally request for a work visa. Have the necessary documents/requirements ready and write a polished letter.

While the application letter need not be embellished and must go straight to the point, it must still be impressive. As much as possible, there shouldn’t be any mistakes in the documentation, so proofread your letter for lapses in grammar or errors in spelling and punctuation. Show a good command of English in your writing.

Let’s say you have a standing job offer in Canada and you have your passport plus a letter from your future employer in the host country ready, the only thing you have to concentrate on next is to write the letter applying for an international work visa. The completed application showing that the requirements of the host country’s regulations are met will speak for itself.

In some cases, such as when you’ve worked out an internship with a company abroad, the company can assist in arranging a work visa for you. Here is a sample letter applying for a visa to work in a foreign country:

Sample Application Letter

28 May 2010

THE VISA OFFICER
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
c/o Embassy of Canada
Immigration and Visa Section
Level 6, Tower 2, RCBC Plaza
6819 Ayala Avenue
Makati City 1200
Philippines

Re: Application for temporary work visa

Dear Sir/Madam:

Greetings!

I am applying for a temporary work visa. I have a one-year job offer from The Sutton Place Hotel in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. I am planning to join the company as Assistant Front Office Manager. Based on my educational background and experience, The Sutton Place Hotel has found me ideally suited for this position.

Rest assured that I shall respect the conditions that apply to temporary working residents. In the meantime, I continue to hope that you will be able to grant me a work visa.

Thank you.

Sincerely,
Judy Cordova

Writing an application letter or what some call a Letter of Intent for College or Graduate School is a simple correspondence that delves into personal qualities, accomplishments and other reasons why a person is among those best suited to pursue studies in a particular school.

Most schools require an application essay (where the applicant may relate a brief human interest story highlighting his/her strengths, skills, or passion), or a simple letter of intent that also cites the qualities and accomplishments that make the student-applicant a good match for the school applied in.

Below is a sample letter of application for admission into a university:

Sample Application Letter

Penn State University
Economics Department
Bryn Mawr, PA 20000

Dear Mr. Lee,

I am writing this letter to express my interest for the Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics at The Pennsylvania State University.

If I were to choose one word to describe myself, it would have to be independent. At the age of five, my parents divorced, and I was left in the care of my grandparents. It was one of the turning points in my life that hastened my maturation. I learned to think and act independently. All the challenges I experienced strengthened my resolve to improve myself.

I consider myself a diligent student and voracious reader. I read news magazines and journals for relevant news updates. I have a strong background in Mathematics and Science, excelling in subjects such as Calculus, Algebra, Probability and Statistics. I believe that Mathematics and other subjects such as Computer Science and Marketing, which also appeal to me, can be useful tools to the modern economist. I look forward to putting various skills to work. I believe that to be an effective economist, one has to cultivate as many skills as possible, including good interpersonal relations and marketing know-how.

I acknowledge the fact that most learning takes place outside the classroom. I feel that the practical skills I have gained from extracurricular activities and volunteer work – like taking part in the fundraising campaign for victims of the devastating earthquake in Sicuan Province of China – may be put to good use.

I believe that with the distinguished faculty and state-of-the-art facilities of The Pennsylvania State University, I can fully develop my potentials and chart my chosen career path. I hope you will take a favorable decision regarding my admission to Economics undergraduate program of Pennsylvania State University.

An application for a grant is correspondence that seeks to obtain the interest and approval of a prospective benefactor, usually an established company or institute. The company oftentimes seeks to plow back earnings to the community and uphold its commitment to corporate social responsibility. In this type of letter, the noteworthy projects and core activities of the organization seeking to obtain a grant are indicated.

The letter of application for a grant may request for materials and/or funding, and is usually signed by the requesting organization’s director or operations coordinator. Such a letter must be complete and carefully thought out. It needs to include information the timeline for projects and activities that will be supported by the grant.

Here is a sample letter of application for a grant from a non-governmental organization:

Sample Application Letter

28 May 2010
Mr. Duke of Richmond
Head
Sussex Community Foundation
American Express (AMEX)
Amex House, Edward Street
Brighton, New York

Dear Mr. Richmond:

Greetings.

We are a child sponsorship organization catering to the needs of disadvantaged children in Metro Manila and Bulacan, Philippines. Children International Philippines – Abot Kamay, Inc. has been in existence since 1990, and we aim to help empower needy children by providing them with educational opportunities that will help them overcome the vicious cycle of poverty. We are writing to request for a $50,000 grant to assist the educational needs of children hailing from the poorest of the poor in the communities that we serve.

The grant will be highly beneficial in the construction of much-needed classrooms and the installation of personal computers in Metro Manila, Caloocan, and Bulacan. Some 5,000 to 7,000 poor but deserving students, whose schooling is supported by Children International, will be the main benefactors of this school project.

We laud your organization for awarding grants, through your foundation. It will surely go a long way in extending help and empowering many poor people in depressed communities across the world.
We are sending you our organization’s five-year plan, and we hope you will consider the poor children that we sponsor among your grant beneficiaries. For further information about our organization, kindly visit our website.

Thank you very much.

Very truly yours,

CYNTHIA TIOTUYCO
Executive Director
Children International-Philippines

The letter of application for a scholarship is correspondence that seeks to obtain approval to be counted among the worthy scholars sponsored by a company or training institute. It is essentially a request for financial aid, so primary consideration is given to poor but deserving applicants. The letter of application for scholarship is usually written in a clear, professional, and at times, personal manner.

Specific examples to support the personal qualities that the letter-sender claims to have are essential. It is also very useful to research specific information about the scholarship provider, along with the various things it may be looking for in the applicants. Write the letter of application for scholarship in conversational style, and maintain a courteous tone. Ensure also that the letter is free of typographical and grammatical errors and spelling mistakes.

Here is an example of a letter of application for a scholarship:

Sample Application Letter

28 May 2010
MR. ANTHONY LAGMAY
c/o The Scholarship Coordinator
Executive Director
PGA Cars, Inc.
Hemet, AZ

Dear Mr. Lagmay:

I recently learned about your company’s Porsche scholarship program for young technically-oriented individuals aspiring to be part of Porsche’s worldwide dealership network as Porsche-certified mechanics. I belong to the recent batch of graduates of the Don Bosco Technical Institute Manpower Skills Training Center. As you well know, the center has long been providing car companies in the Philippines with mechanics equipped with basic automotive skills combined with passion for work. I dream to be a world-class mechanic someday. I believe I would be an ideal candidate for a scholarship award.

I look forward to hearing back from your office to complete the process. In the meantime, I have attached my resume with this letter. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the PGA Cars Scholarship Committee for supporting college-bound students with an opportunity for financial assistance through your scholarship program. Enclosed you will also find my application form, high school transcript, letters of recommendation, and other pertinent information.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter of application for scholarship.

Sincerely,

Christopher Coo
Iloilo City

The letter of application to study in a foreign university states the reasons why the applicant is interested in pursuing a specific field of study, and also why a particular school has been chosen. The main qualities and traits, educational background, and goals of the applicant are also highlighted in the letter.

The letter should focus on explaining the applicant’s interests and other information that will show that he/she is a good fit for the school.

Sample Application Letter

United States Embassy
Student Visa Department
Nations Blvd.
Burma, Myanmar

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am an Education graduate of Yangon East University in Myanmar, and I have a burning ambition.
I want to be an instrument to help others help themselves. I strongly believe that through the Master of Social Work Program of the University of Carolina, I can update my knowledge thoroughly and prepare myself to assume leadership and mentoring roles in the social work profession. I consider social work an exciting profession and I believe the Masters Program of the University of Carolina can provide future work opportunities to in a variety of settings.

I look forward to being given the opportunity to hone my existing skills in the US, and pave the way for the advanced practice of social work, in collaboration with key healthcare organizations, clinics, government agencies, and other entities, in my homeland.

In the meantime, allow me to express a few things about myself and the circumstances that have led me to pursue a noble profession as social worker. I personally believe that the ability to render social work is a gift. Not all people are cut out to totally devote themselves in the service of the needy, or to work in a private firm with a social work aspect. My interest in being of service to others through social work was triggered during my younger years. I grew up realizing how there is no committed group or individuals championing the needs of this marginalized sector in my country.

I look forward to obtaining the distinct advantage of University of California’s well-rounded program and remarkable faculty members. I hope you will take a favorable decision regarding my application for admission to the Master of Social Work Program of the University of Carolina.

Aung San Kyi
Applicant for Graduate School

February 28, 2003

Engr. Rigor Buenvinna
Samsung Products Inc.
1345 St. Bernard Drive
Pasig City

Dear Engr. Buenvinna:

In March 2003, I will be graduating from the University of the Philippines with a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.  I am writing to explore the possibility of employment as a Control Systems Engineer at your Pasig facility.

Early in my coursework at UP, I seriously began considering future employment with Samsung Products Inc.  We use a number of your products in our laboratory work, and their design, precision and reliability are impressive.  More recently, however, I noted in a professional computing journal that you are undertaking a new project to apply microcomputers in automatic control systems.  Many of my electives were in the fields of control systems and computers, and I have worked for two summers in microcomputers applications.  I believe that I am well qualified to begin working on your new project; I know that it is directly related to my interests.

The enclosed resume details my educational background and experience.  I will be in the Pasig area on the first week of January and I could be available for an interview, if convenient.  In the meantime, if you need any further information, you may contact me at 047.791.2991.  I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely yours,

Jayson Andaya

September 13, 2008

AEGIS INTEGRATED STRUCTURE CORP.
Cmpd. #6 Veterans Road, VFP Industrial Area,
Veterans Center, Taguig City

Dear Sir/Madam:

I wish to apply for the position, as a project engineer base on the qualification you published on web site trabaho.com.

I finished my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering at University of the Philippines. Currently, I am enrolled in Master of Engineering major in Civil Engineering, wherein I have earned 33 units at Technological University of the Philippines.

At present, I am working as a Full Time College Faculty in the Far Eastern University.  I am proficient in using MS Office such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Computer Aided Design (AutoCAd)

I wish I would be able to impart my skills and to gain additional knowledge for professional growth in your company. I’m very willing to come in your good office upon receipt of your response to know more details about the condition and policies.

Respectfully yours,

Jose Vergara

March 25, 2005

Ms. Rosemarie Norbe
Personnel Manager
Milestone Company
Don Pepe, Balanga City

Dear Ms. Norbe:

Your advertisement in the March 22 issue of the Manila Bulletin calls for an executive secretary who is proficient in communication skills, computer literate, and with pleasing personality.  I sincerely believe that I meet your requirements for the position.

I am Erica J. Navarro,  a graduate of Bachelor of Science, major in Psychology at La Salle University, Manila this March, 28, 2005 as a cum laude.

I consider as my assets: my proficiency in both written and spoken English and Filipino, my computer skills, and my leadership skills which were honed in my capacity as the editor in chief of my school’s student publication and as a Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman of our Barangay.  I am hardworking, efficient, and highly driven, and I am willing to undergo training to further improve my capabilities.

For your perusal and evaluation, I have enclosed my resume which includes my special skills, training and accomplishments and awards as a student, and a photocopy of my official transcript of records for your evaluation.  Should you wish to ask about my personal traits and capabilities, I have also included a list of references for you.

I am very much willing to come over for a personal interview with you anytime during office hours.

Respectfully yours,

Erica J. Navarro