Covering Letter (Solicited)
In response to job advertisement which can be found here.
Chong Yuan Ru
Block 232 Yishun Street 21 #06-552
Singapore 760232
September 3, 2009
Jean-Pierre ABASTADO
Principal Investigator
Agency for Science, Technology & Research (A*STAR)
Singapore Immunology Network
8A Biomedical Grove
IMMUNOS Building #3-4, BIOPOLIS
Singapore 138648
Dear Mr. Jean-Pierre Abastado,
Research Officer, Job Reference No. SIgN/MLF/270809
I am enclosing my CV in response to the online advertisement for the above post which appeared on the A*STAR website on 28th August 2009.
I have recently graduated from the National University of Singapore (NUS) with a Bachelor in Science, majoring in Life Sciences with a specialization in Biomedical Science. Throughout the past three years as an undergraduate, I was given the opportunity to experience extensive laboratory sessions which equipped me with the essential skills required for processes such as PCR, protein purification, tissue culture work and cellular assays. These are techniques useful for interdisciplinary Life Science research in your laboratory. Apart from academic achievements, I also served as a Publicity Officer in one of NUS’s adventure club (NUS Rovers) for a year where I was given the chance to hone my organizational and communication skills as well as grasped the essence of teamwork.
Amidst my academic and Rovers club’s commitments, I also strived to establish a well balanced time management and held several tutoring jobs throughout the past year. The ability to manage my time well is also evidently important for the success of scientific research which requires precision and accurate timing. I also held a job in the NUS Centre for Life Sciences for six months where I was responsible for ensuring the availability of laboratory equipments and chemicals; hence, I am confident that I will be familiar with the equipments, machines and the working environment in the laboratory.
I have a natural strong aptitude for taking initiatives and am not afraid to suggest new ways to approach new tasks. My quick thinking is also something I pride myself upon, having faced and also solved the many unexpected obstacles when I led treks with the Rovers club.
An interview will grant me the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities. You may contact me at 9297 1717 or yuan_ru@hotmail.com to schedule an interview. It will be my honor to be given a chance to work for you.
Thank you in advance for your time and kind consideration.
Sincerely,
Chong Yuan Ru
Resume
CHONG YUAN RU
BLK 232 Yishun St21 #06-552 Mobile: 92971717
SINGAPORE 760232 Email: yuan_ru@hotmail.com
PERSONAL PARTICULARS:
Age : 21 years Date of Birth : 16 May 1988
Nationality : Singaporean Gender : Female
Marital Status : Single I/C Number : S8816824J
Permanent Residence : Singapore
COURSE COMPLETED
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
- Biodiversity
- Molecular Genetics
- Metabolism and Regulation
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
- Introductory Biostatistics
EDUCATION
University of Singapore
Third Year Student
Major : Life Sciences
Graduation Date : June, 2010
Innova Junior College
Major : Science
Certificate Attained : A’Levels
Graduation Date : December, 2007
Anderson Secondary School
Certificate Attained : O’Levels
Graduation Date : December, 2004
WORKING EXPERIENCE
Sept 09– Present NUS Centre for Life Sciences
Lab Technician
· Ensured the availability of plastic wares and chemical stocks
· Responsible for liaising with drug companies and to place orders
May – July 08 Lane Crawford Group, Singapore – On Pedder Boutique
March –July 07 Retail Assistant
· Assisted to develop marketing strategies for new product launched in July 2004
· Assisted to analyze market analysis information using computer software Microsoft Excel
LEADERSHIP SKILLS
2008 - Current Publicity Cell Member, NUS Rovers
2005 - 2007 Secretary and Team Player, Innova Hockey Team (Girls)
Vice-chairperson, Innova Junior College Class S41
2003 - 2004 Welfare cum Uniform-In-Charge Officer, Anderson Military Band
COMPUTER SKILLS
MS Office, Excel, Powerpoint, Multimedia & Internet
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Spoken Written
English Excellent Excellent
Mandarin Fair Fair
Hello Yuan Ru,
ReplyDeleteI feel your application letter is very relevant and in accordance with the job advertisment you are replying to.
The 7Cs are being applied quite well. The use of active voice in the letter is well employed and it is rather convincing. The relevance of your part time employment is a definte plus point for a lab position.
Here are some suggestions on my part.
1. you might want to indicate enthusiasm in the very first paragraph of the letter.
2. The second and third paragraphs could actually be further broken down into different paragraphs to ensure that each paragraph isn't too lengthy.
3. I think this sentence could be improved, "I have a natural strong aptitude for taking initiatives" to possibly "I have a strong, natural aptitude for taking the initiative.."
Just a suggestion on my part.
4. I think there are some formatting errors with the resume portion where the alignment for working experience is a little distorted, it could be just down to the blog spot system.
In all, I like your application letter alot and i would be enticed to give you an interview if i were the principal investigator.
Yuan Ru, your application never fails to give me the urge to read on. I am very happy to see that you have responded to the advertisement’s requirements such as demonstration of accuracy and flexibility in work, good team player with good interpersonal skills, and good knowledge of the various duties in the job scope. The organization of the whole application letter is neat and uncluttered. The points are clear and sentences are concise. Evidently, you showed great coherence of your qualification to the job requirements.
ReplyDeleteHowever, there are a few observations made and I will like to share with you some of my thoughts. With 2 or more years of lab experience as one of the requirements, you might want to include how you can tackle this issue and still instill confidence in them about your application. Second point is that you can highlight your proficiency in Microsoft Office with previous IT trainings you have received in schools. Lastly, you might consider highlighting your keen interest in this job in the opening paragraph.
In all, this application is feasible and may very well get you a job interview very soon.
Regards,
Ivan
Hi Yuan Ru,
ReplyDeleteI felt that your Application Letter was very cohesive and concise. It was very well structured and you expressed yourself very well, citing very good experiences and showing very appropriate links to the job requirements.
However, I realized that you did not address the requirement for proficiency in MS word, Excel and PowerPoint. Is there a reason why you did not?
You also mentioned that you held a job in the NUS Centre for Life Sciences. Perhaps you could mention how you performed your duties with great accuracy? Since it is one of the job requirements. (I realized that you did not address that too?) Also, since the job requirement does mention having integrity (and that I believe that is an important trait for the job), I think that it might be good if you could somehow incorporate how you posses this trait in your Cover Letter.
You used the phrase “Apart from academic achievements”, are the academic achievements referring to what you had mentioned in the sentence before that phrase? If so how are they achievements? That sentence just confused me a little…
Other than those points, like the others, I do feel that it is a potentially strong Cover Letter! :)
Hi yuanru!
ReplyDeleteI find your application letter clear and coherent and you did make an effort to comply to the 7Cs and adhere to the job requirements. However, I have a couple of suggestions!
1) I think you can improve on the paragraphing. You mentioned NUS ROVERS in 2nd and 4th paragraph. I feel that you can have a separate paragraph on your experience in ROVERS and how you learn from such an experience.
2)Indicate enthusiasm in the 1st paragraph as it sounds pretty dead.
3)The portion about having good time management in your 3rd paragraph could be put in the 4th paragraph. The 3rd paragraph should focus more on your work experience.
Thats all! Good job!
Hello!
ReplyDeleteAldrich: Thanks for pointing out the mistake in the sentence structure, it does look awkward now that you've mentioned it. And yep, its the blogspot system thats affecting the formatting!
Ivan: Thank you for your kind comment! You've stated a good point regarding the requirement of the 2 years of experience. In fact, Sheryl expressed the same concern too. Honestly speaking, I am quite stuck at this point. I wonder how should I phrase it in a way that I do not put myself down by drawing the reader's attention to the fact that my lab experience is pretty naked?
Could I say something like, "As a fresh graduate, I am, inevitably, lacking in the relevant job experience. However, I believe that NUS has equipped me well with extensive labwork knowledge throughout my course which etc etc etc.." Does that sound like an excuse? ):
Sheryl: Thats a very insightful comment! Thanks (: Yup, noted the lack of mention of my IT skills as I thought they were repetitive (they appeared on my resume) but I guess its better to highlight my capabilities in greater details here yeah?
Sarah: Hello future teacher! Thanks for the comment! Yeah I noticed both you and Aldrich mentioned that my opening paragraph sounds dead, shall inject some life into it! And great paragraphing tips! I will keep them in mind when I edit the letter (:
Thanks everyone!
You are, indeed, the "master."
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry Brad!!!! Do pardon the very self-centered nick, it was my old old old blogger account and I was having problems logging in to the other account (the one I'm using now) the other day!
ReplyDeleteI am a new Professional one to introduce my self here and want to grab your offer for job and will serve my efficiency and Talent under your Hands and will never disappoint you ever.thanks for this offer.
ReplyDelete