application letter for a graduate trainee

Sample Cover Letter For A Graduate Trainee

Cover letter sample for a graduate trainee.

Organizations have been inviting graduates to apply for their graduate trainee programs, with the latest being advertised by Total Kenya and De La Rue. There may be others that you have come across in the recent weeks and if you are still yet to apply, you might be in the process of applying. That you are a graduate is only the first and most important qualification. However, getting picked from a pool of other graduates will require that you sell yourself accordingly through your CV and cover Letter.

Your Cover Letter will be the document accompanying your CV and probably the first thing employers and recruiting managers will see before even opening your CV. So, how well written is your cover letter? Does it compel recruiters and employers to open your CV? If you are having difficulties fitting important information on a page, below is a sample you can use. And here is one for a banking job when there is no advert.

Sample Cover Letter For Graduate Trainee

Job Seeker’s Name P.O Box 555 – 00100, Nairobi

Your Phone Number & Email Addres s

Human Resource Manager, XYZ Company Ltd, 5th Floor X House (Company Address) 8th April, 2016

Dear Sir/Madam (If you have the hiring manager’s name, use it)

I wish to apply for the graduate trainee position at your company, currently being advertised on your company website. Please find enclosed my CV for your consideration.

As you will see from my attached CV, I have recently completed my 4 year Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Finance option at the University of Nairobi and attained a 2nd Class Honors Upper division. I believe the knowledge I have acquired through my course work and the skills I picked up make me an ideal candidate for this opportunity.

I am interested in this position as it appeals directly to my passion for working with numbers and interest to learn by working in a fast paced environment. Aside from my degree, I have held various internship positions at various companies that have provided me with important hands-on experience to work as a foundation to build my career in finance.

In addition to my degree qualification, I recently took up a class towards my certification as a Finance professional and have participated in at least two financial forums to gain more knowledge on the current market trends.  I am confident that my passion and enthusiasm for the Finance field will prove valuable to your organization.

I look forward to an interview with you where we can have a detailed discussion on my suitability for the position. You can reach me anytime during the day on 0702******.  Thank you for your time and consideration.

39 Comments

Its a nice one.it is vital to me.

Great.what a nice cover letter that a probable employer can’t afford to put aside!

This a nice caver letter hope it will help me.

Good sample letter. Thank you..

Correct sample.has enlightened me and it help me

A very good piece. Am certain it’s going to help me a great deal somewhere.

Hello John,

Kindly send a copy of your current CV to [email protected] for further assistance.

This is a good piece my concern is the mobile phone no on the cover letter. should it be on the cv or both?

Comment Never.its a grivious mistake, and sign of disorganization. it Must be one page only

thanks this is very helpfull

this is very nice thank you

Im Adriver Of Ten Years Experiance With Class A B C E , So I Need Aproffetional Cvs. Im Avaible All The Time. Thankyou .

credible work indedmmmmm

finally this is what i wanted…thank you..which is the current CV format if I may ask kindly

What about the headline? it is missing here

Thanks,this is a good job

Can someone write on the back page of the letter page?

thanks for the advice very useful

looking for electrical technician job

actually have been trying to apply many jobs but no interviews am going to change now,have completed a diploma in IT,have been a ICT teacher almost 2yrs,and I would wish to change job category but in the same field of IT.personally am round of you.

thank you,your doing great.

i thank you for the sample cover letter.But how comes the letter has no title

I thank you for the sample cover letter, the letter has no title

hallo, how do i write a cover letter for a sales trainee position without an advert?

Hi perminus,thanks for the good work you doing.My question is when you come across job advert which doesn’t have the Name and the address of the company,how do you apply about this?

God will always bless your work. I like your articals. They are very helpfull.

Good stuff. Could you please do a sample cv for a graduate trainee? preferrably one with a degree or so, in Project Planning and Management.

Very important piece.. Thank you

you have such good tips.my concern is some vacancies are rare.example for graduathe in analytical vacancies and industrial chemistry.how do you help such graduates??

quite informative, but would you please help me understand while making an online application, do I have to write my cover letter directly or send it as an attachment!

Hi, I had earlier on pointed out on the flaws in a previous cover letter you had posted, and i honestly wonder if you take the comments we make here seriously. I am a Communication and PR student, and the letters that you post a sample of, am afraid that they are the ones my instructor tells me critical HR personnels would dismiss without having a second glance at. However, i won’t tire correcting:

The applicants name is not part of the sender’s address. Just write your address directly of you do not have an address of reference currently.

The date is not written on the recipient’s address but after the sender’s address and its suitable format is e.g, April 8, 2016.

In this age of the new media where we have the internet at our disposal, it’s pitiable of one to write dear Sir /Madam. This is what we call a ‘blind address’. You can easily know the gender of the person you are addressing your letter to. Not the capitals in Sir, Madam, in the salutation. Incase you use this, at the foot of your letter it will be-Yours faithfully… But in case you use the name instead it will be, yours sincerely.

The lette’s votehead is in this case missing but just to note, one should apply for employment, recruitment… But not for a vacancy or post.

You contact details come after your name. Eg Yours faithfully, signnature Sam. E-mail: Phone:

Finally, it does not hurt to end your letter with a thank you.

Several other corrections are to be made in the body, but i’ll leave it at that. NB: just an honest correction. Am an ardent follower of this website and since i perceive it to be proffessional, i correct it humbly.

Feedback always appreciated: E-mail: [email protected] Phone: 0704694734

This site is of much help to the job market needs.Kindly post one for a hr opportunity.thank you

Dear Mwangi, We do not ‘blacklist’ any candidate and you are welcome to apply for any vacancy that suits you. If you have identified a position that suits you, contact the recruitment officer who had interviewed you earlier on. Wishing you the very best. Regards, Perminus

thanks.this is very helpful

Wow thanks alot for such a wonderful cover letter….it’s so helpful to me since am a graduate searching for graduate trainee positions, entry level job or even internship for the experience gained. God bless.

Morning, Per minus, Good article and I haile what you do for the unemployed youth. I however, in my comments must have made a positive criticism that you or your staff might have not liked me for Or a contact to either of my referee might have given u a waylaid judgement about me. Why?, ~ how do you explain me applying for jobs that am outrightly qualified for and not getting even an interview information. I first thought it was undoing of my resume which I used a sample posted by you, and still!, I couldn’t get an invitation?!, keeping in mind that I travel overnight to attend your interviews from Eldoret. Am either forced to think that my original c.v. was just okay to warrant an interview with you or you have blacklisted me for your future recruitment practises which I found very wanton (if that’s the case) since this should be a national recruiter free of prejudice, favourism and clear of corruption. I am a worthy employee and I have the papers (in your database if not erased). All am asking is a fair chance. I don’t mind the trips if I loose an interview to the better person but let attend them if am qualified. NB: Periodically communicate the follies of an otherwise potential employee so that he can clinche the next interview. Thats what makes a cutting edge from the rest recruiting company. So that you know. I will still use corporate staffing for my job search. Thank you.

Thanks.This is very useful

Comments are closed.

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Graduate Trainee Cover Letter

15 graduate trainee cover letter templates.

How to Write the Graduate Trainee Cover Letter

I am excited to be applying for the position of graduate trainee. Please accept this letter and the attached resume as my interest in this position.

In the previous role, I was responsible for key support to Process Integration & Product Engineers on Inline/PCM/Functional Test/yield data for process improvement to meet quality and yield targets.

I reviewed the requirements of the job opening and I believe my candidacy is an excellent fit for this position. Some of the key requirements that I have extensive experience with include:

• Vector Network Analyzer (VNA)
• Active usage of at least one Application Server (Tomcat, webMethods IS, WebLogic, …)
• Understanding of Software Systems Analysis & Design and OOAD
• Knowledge of structured programming techniques or SQL
• Knwoledge of .net framework
• Basic knowledge of Web based programming
• Technical Certifications related to dotnet programming will be an added advantage
• Familiarity with Linux OS platform and debugging skills will be an added advantage

Thank you for considering me to become a member of your team.

Oakley Runolfsson

• Microsoft Word (.docx) .DOCX
• PDF Document (.pdf) .PDF
• Image File (.png) .PNG

Responsibilities for Graduate Trainee Cover Letter

Graduate trainee responsible for level1 general support to faculty and staff for computer hardware, software and networking.

Graduate Trainee Examples

Example of graduate trainee cover letter.

I submit this application to express my sincere interest in the graduate trainee position.

Previously, I was responsible for product feedback to leadership, including making recommendations regarding new items to carry or those that should be discontinued.

Please consider my qualifications and experience:

• Team player put the team first
• Good knowledge in GSM core networks
• Good knowledge of Switches, Routers and Load Balancer
• Good knowledge SOAP/XML, SNMP, DNS
• Unix systems/scripting / Directory Protocols / Network protocols
• Familiar with various networks (like 2G/3G, LTE, WLAN, WIMAX, DSL etc).Network protocols (SS7, SIGTRAN, MAP, TCP/IP, SPML, XML, http)
• Should have worked in doing dimensioning, Capacity, Hardware sizing
• Should have a good understanding in scoping and estimation

Thank you for taking your time to review my application.

Greer Weber

Please consider me for the graduate trainee opportunity. I am including my resume that lists my qualifications and experience.

Previously, I was responsible for product feedback to their direct leader, including recommendations regarding new items to carry or those that should be discontinued.

Please consider my experience and qualifications for this position:

• Fresh Graduates with good academic performance (min
• Previous experience on Automated Test Equipment ATE such as CMT, HDMT, V8 -Basic test program knowledge including test methodology
• Knowledge of New Product Introductions NPI and Product Life Cycle PLC
• Basic knowledge of a Project Management methodology (Prince 2, PMI, Agile…)
• Advanced knowledge of MS products (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Project, Visio)
• Proactive approach and keen to learn a new stuff
• Positive & conceptual way of thinking
• Flexible work time possible

Emerson Durgan

I would like to submit my application for the graduate trainee opening. Please accept this letter and the attached resume.

Previously, I was responsible for input to the design of the software component architecture and any project software studies.

• University education - MSc
• All-rounded individuals with deep interest in IT industry who enjoy challenges and strive to work with professionals in IT industry globally
• Open to flexible working patterns
• Highly motivated personality
• Financial certification would be beneficial but not essential
• Managing suppliers/small teams
• Commissioning, testing and handing over systems
• The second stage is completion of strength-based online tests

Tyler Okuneva

Previously, I was responsible for pre-tender commercial input to ensure accurate net cost estimates and competitive advantage with support from the Buyers / Senior Buyers;.

• An HR Interview followed by a panel interview is stage three
• Strong analytical and problem solving skills and a tremendous will to learn
• Letter from a Local Aboriginal Land Council or other recognised Aboriginal organisation, or
• Two written Aboriginal Community references, or
• Passionate on technology and software development
• Creative & Independent
• All-rounded individuals with deep interest in IT industry who enjoy challenges and strive to work with
• Highly motivated team player and keen to learn

Thank you for your time and consideration.

In the previous role, I was responsible for support to technology initiatives in one or more of these disciplines; Project Management, Business Analyst, or Architecture (Software, Hardware, Infrastructure) support.

• BS/BA/BE in computer science, computer engineering or
• Good Team player and self-sufficient
• Familiar with Windows/Unix/Linux administration experience
• Good in writing and speaking English
• Good requirement analysis and issues investigation skills
• We want someone who is an enthusiastic and curious problem solver, able to assimilate complex information and represent it in a meaningful way
• This role will involve significant project management skills and the capacity to manage multiple tasks at once as the team works toward meeting ERM’s deadlines
• Authorized to work in Canada on a permanent basis

Finley Kertzmann

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• October 5, 2023
• Cover Letters

Graduate trainees, also called college hires, are students who have just completed a degree and are heading towards a career path in the workplace, looking for entry-level positions in an organization.

After graduation from the university or any tertiary institution, there is always this feeling of writing a compelling application letter that will land you that position. Sometimes, you might get stuck on what to write, and many times, the feeling of not being good enough, not having the right skills, confusion about the particular skills needed, or not having a good narrative will make you not submit the application letter.

However, this article will give you a comprehensive guide on how you, as a graduate trainee, can write a compelling application letter.

Let’s Meet Vivian

Vivian, who just completed her BSc in Agricultural Science, has been wondering if she can get an entry-level position as a personal assistant. Vivian searched different job sites and often times got discouraged from applying.

One day, while researching, Vivian came across a website called Fasthire .  She wrote down the tips and guidelines.

Tips for Writing an Application Letter as a Graduate Trainee

• Write down the entry-level position you seek to apply for.
• Write down your strengths and weaknesses; if you are unsure, ask a close friend or tutor in school.
• From your strengths and weaknesses, you can figure out your skills (soft skills and hard skills).
• Research job listings
• Find the one that matches your stated preference and read the requirements, including the skills stated by the organisation they want the applicant to have.
• Match your skills, and you will be glad to have clarity.

Once Vivian was done with these, she had to go through the outlined guidelines.

Guidelines for Writing an Application Letter as a Graduate Trainee

• Address your letter properly and start with a professional salutation. If you don’t know the name or gender of the hiring manager, you can use “Dear Sir/Madam”, “Dear Hiring Manager”, or “To Whom It May Concern”.
• Start with an engaging opening and mention the position you are applying for.
• Showcase your passion for the position, stating where the drive for it emerged.
• Highlight your qualifications by stating your educational background, relevant course work that matches the job role, projects, and achievements. More so, you can mention any internship, part-time job, or voluntary experience that demonstrates your skills and dedication.
• Read the job description and requirements carefully, and align your skills and qualifications with what the organisation is looking for.
• Emphasise your soft skills like teamwork, communication, etc., and discuss your career goals and how the graduate trainee position fits your long-term plan. Ensure to state how the role will develop you professionally.
• You can research the organisation’s values, mission, and culture and state how they align with yours.
• Conclude your application letter professionally by highlighting your eagerness for an interview to discuss your qualifications further. Also, attach your resume or CV and make reference to it.
• Use a formal closing such as “sincerely,” “yours sincerely” or yours faithfully”. Sign below the formal closing remark and write your name under the signature.

In addition, it is important to note that your application letter should be tailored to each job application, as each organisation has different requirements, they want the applicant to have.

More so, carefully proofread your application letter for correction, ensuring that your contact information (email address and phone number) is stated so that the employer can easily reach you.

Also, your application letter should be concise and focused (straight to the point). You should aim for one-page length, using paragraphs and bullet points for readability.

After going through all those carefully, Vivian was more convinced to write a compelling application letter.

Application Letter for Graduate Trainee Sample

Avenue Road,

4 October, 2023

Mr. Richard Okiasi,

Harris Limited,

Dear Mr. Richard,

Application for a Graduate Trainee Position

As a young individual aiming to develop professionally, I am excited to apply for the position of personal assistant to the managing director as advertised. Before completing my undergraduate studies, I worked as a part-time office assistant with Harris Limited, and this role revealed my passion for management, honing my skills in organisation, data entry, and customer relationships.

In addition, during my undergraduate studies in agricultural extension, I took up course works that were predominantly on management, as it was important to have an all-rounded skill as the middleman between technology and farmers, however called the changed agents. During my Small Plot Adoption Techniques project, with 20 farmers disseminating information on the new agricultural practices, I was better able to develop my adaptation skills and people management skills while supervising each farmer and ensuring they understood the information being passed on.

Upon my studies completion in 2015, I took up a voluntary position as supervisor in my uncle’s company, Morris Empire. This experience honed my leadership skills and other transferable skills. More so, your company’s provision for continuous on-the-job training assures me that I will be equipped to meet the demands of market evolution, and it shows Harris Limited’s zeal towards empowering their staff to grow professionally and personally. The quarterly staff party held by your organisation ensures team unity and fosters connections with staff to help the organisation move forward. Additionally, in the long run, I see myself leading project teams, and I know that this position and Harris Limited will provide me with the tools I need.

Similarly, I understood that the company will be having a research project on clean water for their host communities, and I will be grateful to contribute if granted the opportunity, as I have carried out a project on sustainable clean water in three states in Nigeria as a volunteer with Green World. 

I have attached my resume for your perusal. I can be reached through Vivian.com or 099999998 to further discuss my qualifications.

Clan Vivian

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How to write a cover letter for a graduate job

Ruairi Kavanagh

Last updated: 5 Oct 2023, 09:35

Although the majority of graduate employers now use online application processes, ome jobs require that you apply with the traditional CV. However, CV’s need a compelling cover letter to accompany them. Think of it as an introduction to yourself and follow our helpful tips. Remember, you need to stand out from the crowd.

What to include in a cover letter

A CV cover letter should be no more than one page long – around four or five brief paragraphs.

Always include the name of the person, not 'Dear Sir/Madam'. This is particularly important when you're making speculative applications because you want your letter to reach someone who can act on it.

Specify why you are writing (eg in response to an advertisement or on a speculative basis). If it's about an advertised job, state the job title you are applying for (and reference number, if there is one) and where you saw it advertised.

State briefly why you want to work for this particular organisation and why they should employ you. Don’t repeat what is in the CV, but highlight your ‘unique selling points’. Be as specific as possible about how your experience matches the job. (If the letter is accompanying an application form rather than a CV, this is not always necessary as you will have used the form to make these points.) Also, make sure you have done your research and found some key facts about the organisation that you can refer to an emphasise your suitability in working for them.

Give details of your availability for interview. If relevant (eg if the employer has several different graduate schemes), state which other positions with the organisation you would also like to be considered for.

Finish with a keen but professional sign-off.

Your name and address

Put your contact details at the top of the letter – right-justified (i.e. lined up against the right-hand margin) or centred. Include your postal address, telephone number and email address.

The recipient's name and address

This is usually left-justified (i.e. lined up against the left-hand margin).

Leave one line space below the recipient’s address, then put the date you are writing the letter.

The greeting

Always start ‘Dear’ followed by the person’s title (Mr, Ms, Dr etc) and surname, eg ‘Dear Mr Smith’.

If you don’t know their name, start ‘Dear Sir or Madam’ (NOT ‘Madame’ – that means something different!). But it is always best to find out the name of the person who you want to read your letter, which in today's online world is easier than it's ever been, but don't be afraid to pick up the phone and ask someone in the organisation if needs be.

Get the insights and skills you need to shape your career journey with Pathways. We’ll show you exactly what goes into a convincing cover letter, so you can give yourself the best chance of getting to the next stage of the application process.

The subject

Leave one line space below the salutation, then put the subject of your letter, underlined. For example ‘Application for graduate trainee position’. Include the job reference number if there is one. This makes life easier for the HR person reading the letter. In an email, this will go in the subject line.

The body text

Write clearly and succinctly. It's vital that you don't go overboard on the thesaurus, clarity is key and don't write in words that you would never use verbally. There is no need for extra embellishments.

Normally, a formal letter should not be more than one side of A4. Structure your letter with a beginning, a middle and an end.

Use business-like language: this should be closer to the essays you write at college than the letters you send to your parents.

Signing off

Finish the letter ‘Yours sincerely’. Leave a space for your signature, then type your name. If you can create a digital signature or insert an image of your signature it can add a nice touch.

‘Yours sincerely’ is traditionally used when you don’t know the name of the person you are writing to, but is becoming less common.

Cover letter checklist

• Are your contact details up to date?
• Have you spelled the employer's name correctly?
• Have you included the job title, reference number and where you saw the advertisement?
• Have you kept a copy?
• Have you kept it to one page where possible?

Cover letter overview

1. do your research.

Find out something about their organisation that makes you want to work and say why.

2. Know the job spec

Write about why this job is perfect for you and use examples. This is an opportunity for you to show employers that you have done your homework. You should also match it with your CV. Highlight your most relevant experience in the cover letter and then the recruiter can read the details in the CV.

3. Short and sweet

When it comes to cover letters, keep it to one page and no more than three to four paragraphs. Remember to include the date and a proper formal greeting. You can use a person’s first name if you have introduced yourself previously.

4. Be yourself

Don’t go overboard on the thesaurus. Instead use simple, clear language. Give specific reasons why you want the job and why you are the right person for the job. Remind the employer at the end of the letter that you would very much like to hear from them for an interview.

Visit the career advice section of gradireland.com for more practical tips.

gradireland editorial advice

This describes editorially independent and impartial content, which has been written and edited by the gradireland content team. Any external contributors featuring in the article are in line with our non-advertorial policy, by which we mean that we do not promote one organisation over another.

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