應用文主要包括書信、摘要、報告、備忘錄四種。下面以求職信為例，談應用文的寫作，希望讀者能舉一反三。同時求職信是大學生步入社會、走向工作崗位的第一步，了解求職信的寫法具有實際意義。
那么，如何用地道流利的英語寫好一份求職信呢？關鍵要處理好求職信的五個組成部分：寫信動機、自我介紹、本人能力、結尾、附件。
一、寫信動機
通常求職信是針對報紙上招聘廣告而寫的。若此，信中須提到何月何日的報紙，有時工作機會是從朋友或介紹所聽來的，有時寫信人不知某機構、公司有工作機會，毛遂自薦。不論哪一種，求職信上一定要說明寫信的緣由和目的。
因此首先應該表明你是在何家媒體看到應聘廣告以及所要應聘的職位。參考例句：
1.In reply to your advertisement in todays newspaper,I respectfully offer my services for the situation.拜讀今日XX報上貴公司的廣告,本人特此備函應征該職位。
2.Replying to your advertisement into- days issue of the(newspaper),I wish to apply for the position in your esteemed firm.拜讀貴公司在今日(報紙)上廣告,特此備函應征貴公司該職位。
3.With reference to your advertisement in(newspaper)of May 2for a clerk，I offer myself for the post.從五月二日XX報上廣告欄得知貴公司招聘一位職員，我愿應招。
4.I wish to apply for the position advertised in the enclosed clipping from the(newspaper)of November 12.謹隨函附上十一月十二日XX報貴公司招聘廣告，我愿應招此職位。
5.In answer to your advertisement into- days newspaper for a secretary,I wish to tender my services.閣下在今日XX報上刊登招聘秘書廣告，本人獲悉，特此應招。
6.Learning from XX that you are looking for a sales manager,I should like to apply for the position.從XX處得悉，貴公司正在招聘一名業務經理，我愿應招此職。
7.Your advertisement for a telephone operator in the newspaper of March 8has interested me,I feel I can fill that position.貴公司三月八日在XX報上刊登招聘電話接線員廣告，本人拜讀后極感興趣，相信能擔任此職。
二、自我介紹
寫信人應述明自己的年齡或出生年月、教育背景，尤其與應征職位有關的訓練或教育科目、工作經驗或特殊技能。如無實際經驗，略述在學類似經驗亦可。參考例句：
1.For the past three years,I have been in the office of the XX Trading Co., where I have been an accountant.本人曾經在XX貿易公司服務三年，擔任會計工作。
2.I am twenty years of age,and have been employed for the last two years by the XX Co.,in the general clerical work of the office.我今年20歲，曾在XX公司服務兩年，擔任一般文員工作。
3.I am twenty years of age,and am anxious to settle down to office work.本人20歲，希望能找到一個公司，以便安定下來。
4.Since my graduation from the school two years ago, I have been employed in XX Hotel as a cashier.兩年前離校后，在XX酒店擔任出納員。
三、本人能力
這部分非常重要，因為這體現你究竟能為公司做什么，直接關系到求職的成功率。但是也要注意一定要用最少的文字表達最多的意思。參考例句：
1.I am able to take dictation in English and translate it rapidly into Chinese.我會英文的口授筆記，同時能立即將其翻譯成中文。
2.I have received an English education, and have a slight knowledge of Spanish.I took a Spanish course in college.本人接受英文教育，同時略通西班牙文。大學時，我修了西班牙文。
3.I have been at the City Commercial College,where I have acquired a knowledge of English,mathematics and elementary business practice.本人曾在城市商專學英文、數學以及初級商業實務。
4.I have just left school,but have a good knowledge of English.本人雖剛離開校門，但英文很好。
5.At school I won a scholarship and the first prize in a speech contest.求學中，我曾獲獎學金及演講比賽一等獎。
6.I am a graduate of Hong Kong University,and have in addition an M.A.degree from UCLA.本人畢業于香港大學，并在加州大學獲得文學碩士學位。