应征函的第一段说明写信的缘起目的，有些专家认为不宜用分词子句，如下列各句作为第一句。因为这类句子被人用得大多，显得陈腐，失去突出的特性。
Replying to your advertisement…… Answering your advertisement…… Believing that there is an opportunity…… Thinking that there is a vacancy in your company…… Having read your ad……
再比较下列三句。(a)句较差，经过修改后(b)句显得较恰当。
1.(a)Replying to your recent advertisement in the Boston Evening Globe, I wish to apply for the position of sales manager……
(b)In applying for the position of sales manager I offer my qualifications, which I believe will meet your exacting requirements.
2.(a)I believe after reading your advertisement in this morning‘s Journal that you have just the opportunity I am looking for.
(b)your advertisement in this morning‘s Journal for an adjustment manager prompts me to offer you my qualifications for this position
3.(a) Having read your advertisement in the New York Times for an accountant, I thought you might be interested in my application.
(b)In your advertisement for an accountant, you indicated that you require the services of a competent person, with thorough training in the field of cost accounting. Please consider me an applicant for the position. Here are my reasons for believing I am qualified for this work.