通常求职信是针对报纸上招聘广告而写的。若此，求职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 today’s 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。