求職信的第一段說明寫信的目的，有些專家認為不宜用分詞句子，比如用下面的句子做開頭，因為這樣的句子被人用得大多，顯得陳腐，失去特點。
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……
再比較下面三組例句。每一組里面（1）句較差，經過修改后（2）句顯得比較恰當。
A：
（1） Replying to your recent advertisement in the Boston Evening Globe, I wish to apply for the position of sales manager.
（2） I am applying for the position of sales manager. I believe my qualifications will meet your exacting requirements.
B：
（1） I believe after reading your advertisement in this morning's Journal that you are offering just the opportunity I am looking for.
（2） Your advertisement in this morning's Journal for an adjustment manager prompted me to apply for this position.
C：
（1） Having read your advertisement in the New York Times for an accountant, I thought you might be interested in my application.
（2） 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.