Insert your address
Date
Insert their address

Dear (insert first name),

Start with your interest in the job
I read your advertisement for a Senior Chemist in the Manchester Evening News with a great deal of interest.  I am writing to apply for this challenging role because I believe that I have all of the skills you require for this role. I am enclosing a complete Career History outlining my professional qualifications and achievements for your review and consideration.
               
Market yourself i.e. what you have to offer in terms of skills and achievements
As you read my CV, I am sure that you will see that my qualifications should allow me to add hugely to the overall efficiency and productivity of Plexus’ R & D efforts through the application of various process methods such as:
*Training your R & D chemists in empirically-based experimental design.
 *Advising you on how plant layout modelling can be implemented with much greater precision and consistency.
 *In my previous role as Senior Chemist with Cambridge Innovation Plastics, I developed and implemented a Styrofoam extrusion process that recycled 75% of the waste products and resulted in a 20% increase in productivity and savings of £120,000 in 2000
               
Give some more detail about your background summary
My academic experience includes a Ph.D. in Applied Chemistry and over 20 years research and development experience working in three competitor companies.  I am thoroughly conversant with the design of chemical plant equipment and layout.  In my previous role I managed a team of 10 chemists and 8 laboratory and administrative staff.
               
Tell them what you hope will happen next
I would really welcome the opportunity to discuss further how my experience can make an immediate difference to the success of Plexus Plastics.  I will call within the next couple of days to determine your interest and, if appropriate, to arrange for a personal meeting at your convenience.

Yours sincerely,

Insert name

Insert contact email / phone
REMEMBER: ALWAYS FOLLOW UP YOUR APPLICATION WITH A PHONE CALL