Advice on covering letters
關于求職信的幾點建議
一、Use one side of A4 paper, plain white photocopier paper is fine. If you are emailing it put it in the body of the email; don’t attach it.
使用A4紙的一面、純白的復印紙就可以了。如果要發郵件，請將內容放正文里， 不要放在附件里。
二、Make sure your letter is an original and not a copy. Print it with a good quality printer. If you send a copy it reflects badly on you and shows you didn’t care enough to spend the time creating a letter specifically for them.
確保內容的原創性，切勿抄襲。請用好的打印機打印。一份非原創的求職信會給人留下不好的印象，顯得你不夠用重視它，并沒有花特別的時間去完成。
三、Make sure you use the same paper as you used for your CV; it demonstrates professionalism.
確保你用的紙張與簡歷用的紙張是一樣的。這是專業性的體現。
四、Use no more than four paragraphs.
內容請不要超過四段。
五、Address the letter to the correct person and make sure his or her name is spelt correctly. Use their correct title and be sure to get their gender right.
將求職信準確地發給對方，收件人的名字務必拼寫正確。使用正確的稱呼和性別。
六、The spell check on your word processor will pick up some errors but you need to double check your spelling and grammar. Spell check wouldn’t pick up on the difference between “from” and “form” for example. Break down any contractions; that is to say, write “I have” not “I’ve”. An applicant who demonstrates perfect spelling and grammar is much more likely to impress an employer.
使用文字編輯器對進行文字拼寫一次檢查，但有必要對拼寫和語法進行二次檢查。因為拼寫檢查是不會查出”from”和”form”這兩個詞的錯誤的。展開全部縮寫，即書寫”I have”而不是”I’ve”。一個可以完美展示拼寫和語法功底的應聘者會給招聘者留下更深的印象。
七、Use your own words, your letter should sound like you. However don’t be too informal, it is a business proposal you are making, so the letter should be set out like a business letter; use a traditional business letter format.
使用自己的語言，讓你的求職信文如其人。但是不能太不正式，因為這是一封以商務為出發點的信件，所以求職信至少要像一封商務信件，并使用傳統的商務信件格式。
八、Sell yourself but emphasis what you can do for the company, don’t talk too much about yourself. Generate excitement and be positive.
推銷自己，但是要強調自己可以為公司做貢獻，切不可一直在講自己，要給人一種活躍、樂觀的印象。
九、If you want to explain any gaps in your CV that might concern an employer; don’t tell lies, instead reinterpret the missing time as something positive. For example, a year spent travelling can be spun as an opportunity to develop initiative and team working skills through solo and group travel.
解釋簡歷中可能涉及雇主不喜歡的一些觀點，請不要說謊，而是用樂觀的事件解釋。例如以一年旅游作為契機，借個體和團體旅游發展自己的主動性和團隊合作精神。
十、Keep it simple. Use clear and concise sentences. Use a maximum of seven lines in each paragraph and vary the sentence length.
保持簡單。使用清新簡明的句子。每一段最多7行，并且句子的長度要多變。
十一、Make your presentation interesting. Highlight your skills and attributes in bold or indent them with bullets. Underlining isn’t as effective or clear, so avoid it.
讓文字生動有趣。用粗體和縮進等方式突出你的技能和特點。加下劃線不怎么清晰有效，因而要避免這樣做
十二、Demonstrate you have researched the company by including some information. Don’t overdo it, but make it clear you know who they are, what they do and why you have chosen them.
證明你對公司有所了解。不用太多，但是你要清楚他們是誰，他們是做什么的以及你為什么要選擇他們。
十三、Don’t enclose a photograph with your letter unless you are looking for work in acting or as a model.
請不要在信上附上照片，除非你是是在找表演或者模特一類的工作。
十四、Request an interview. This is your primary goal, so don’t forget to ask for one at the end of your letter. Let the employer know you will follow up in a few days to ensure your letter was received.
要求面試。這是你的首要目的，所以不要忘了在信的末尾問上一句。在未來幾天你會跟進和確認雇主收到信件。
十五、Sign the cover letter with a blue or black ink pen.
用藍色或黑色水筆在求職信上簽名。
十六、Keep a copy of the cover letter for your records. It’s a good idea to keep track of the CVs and cover letters you send out, as you never know when you might need to refer to something.
自己留一份求職信的副本。將其作為發送出去的求職信和簡歷的參照，絕對是個好主意。
GLOSSARY
重點詞匯
1.Contractions (noun) Words formed from two or more individual words
縮寫(名詞)
2.Spun (verb) Provided a positive interpretation
提供合理的解釋(動詞)
3.Initiative (noun) Power to begin something
積極性(名詞)
4.Indent (verb) Set the words in from the margin of the page
突出(動詞)
5.Bullets (noun) Heavy dots, used in printing, to highlight something
縮進(名詞)
6.Overdo (verb) Do something excessively
過分(動詞)
7.Keep track of (verb) Be aware of, stay informed
意識到(動詞)