应用文主要包括书信、摘要、报告、备忘录四种。下面以求职信为例，谈应用文的写作，希望读者能举一反三。同时求职信是大学生步入社会、走向工作岗位的第一步，了解求职信的写法具有实际意义。
那么，如何用地道流利的英语写好一份求职信呢？关键要处理好求职信的五个组成部分：写信动机、自我介绍、本人能力、结尾、附件。
一、写信动机
通常求职信是针对报纸上招聘广告而写的。若此，信中须提到何月何日的报纸，有时工作机会是从朋友或介绍所听来的，有时写信人不知某机构、公司有工作机会，毛遂自荐。不论哪一种，求职信上一定要说明写信的缘由和目的。
因此首先应该表明你是在何家媒体看到应聘广告以及所要应聘的职位。参考例句：
1.In reply to your advertisement in todays newspaper,I respectfully offer my services for the situation.拜读今日XX报上贵公司的广告,本人特此备函应征该职位。
2.Replying to your advertisement into- days issue of the(newspaper),I wish to apply for the position in your esteemed firm.拜读贵公司在今日(报纸)上广告,特此备函应征贵公司该职位。
3.With reference to your advertisement in(newspaper)of May 2for a clerk，I offer myself for the post.从五月二日XX报上广告栏得知贵公司招聘一位职员，我愿应招。
4.I wish to apply for the position advertised in the enclosed clipping from the(newspaper)of November 12.谨随函附上十一月十二日XX报贵公司招聘广告，我愿应招此职位。
5.In answer to your advertisement into- days newspaper for a secretary,I wish to tender my services.阁下在今日XX报上刊登招聘秘书广告，本人获悉，特此应招。
6.Learning from XX that you are looking for a sales manager,I should like to apply for the position.从XX处得悉，贵公司正在招聘一名业务经理，我愿应招此职。
7.Your advertisement for a telephone operator in the newspaper of March 8has interested me,I feel I can fill that position.贵公司三月八日在XX报上刊登招聘电话接线员广告，本人拜读后极感兴趣，相信能担任此职。
二、自我介绍
写信人应述明自己的年龄或出生年月、教育背景，尤其与应征职位有关的训练或教育科目、工作经验或特殊技能。如无实际经验，略述在学类似经验亦可。参考例句：
1.For the past three years,I have been in the office of the XX Trading Co., where I have been an accountant.本人曾经在XX贸易公司服务三年，担任会计工作。
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岁，曾在XX公司服务两年，担任一般文员工作。
3.I am twenty years of age,and am anxious to settle down to office work.本人20岁，希望能找到一个公司，以便安定下来。
4.Since my graduation from the school two years ago, I have been employed in XX Hotel as a cashier.两年前离校后，在XX酒店担任出纳员。
三、本人能力
这部分非常重要，因为这体现你究竟能为公司做什么，直接关系到求职的成功率。但是也要注意一定要用最少的文字表达最多的意思。参考例句：
1.I am able to take dictation in English and translate it rapidly into Chinese.我会英文的口授笔记，同时能立即将其翻译成中文。
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，同时略通西班牙文。大学时，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.本人曾在城市商专学英文、数学以及初级商业实务。
4.I have just left school,but have a good knowledge of English.本人虽刚离开校门，但英文很好。
5.At school I won a scholarship and the first prize in a speech contest.求学中，我曾获奖学金及演讲比赛一等奖。
6.I am a graduate of Hong Kong University,and have in addition an M.A.degree from UCLA.本人毕业于香港大学，并在加州大学获得文学硕士学位。
7.Since leaving school,I have attended Typewriting and Shorthand classes,and have now attained a speed of fifty and ninety words respectively.离开学校后，我参加打字与速记班，而今已达到打字50字，速记90字的速度。
四、结尾
希望并请求未来的雇主允以面谈的机会，因此信中要表明可以面谈的时间。成功的求职信决不是虎头蛇尾的，结尾一定要引起重视。参考例句：
1.I should be glad to have a personal in- terview and can furnish references if desired.如获面试，则感幸甚。如需保证人，本人也可提出。
2.I request an interview,and assure you that if appointed,I will do my best to give you satisfaction.恳请惠予面试之荣。如蒙录用，本人必竭尽所能，为贵公司服务，以符厚望。
3.If you desire an interview,I shall be most happy to call in person，on any day and at any time you may appoint.如贵公司有意面试，本人一定遵照所指定的时日，前往拜访。
4.Should you think favorably of my application,I would like to have an interview.如对本人之应征优先考虑，恳请惠予面试之机会。
5.I hope that you will be kind enough to consider my application favorably.恳请惠予考虑本人之申请为盼。
6.Should this application meet with your favorable consideration,I will do my utmost to justify the confidence you may repose in me.对此申请，贵公司如惠予考虑，本人将尽最大的忠诚与努力，为贵公司效劳。
7.Should you entertain my application favorably,I would spare no trouble to acquit my- self to your satisfaction.假如应征获得青睐而进入贵公司服务，本人必以排除万难之决心，为贵公司工作，以符厚望。
8.I wish to assure you that,if successful,I would endeavor to give you every satisfaction.如蒙不弃，惠予录用，本人将尽力服务，使诸事满意。
五、附件
这部分视具体情况而定，如有详细的简历或用人单位需要的材料附在求职信中时，需要注明。参考例句：
1.You will find enclosed an outline of my education and business training and copies of two letters of recommendation.有关本人的学历、工作经验等项的概要，谨同函呈上两件推荐函。
2.Enclosed please find a resume and a photo.随函寄上简历表及相片各一份。
3.A copy of my transcript is enclosed.附寄成绩单一份。
4.Enclosed you will find a letter of re- commendation from my former teacher of Eng- lish.随函附上我英文老师的推荐函。