Cover letter for job application

Hi everyone,
I finished writing a cover letter for a job application and I am desperate for some feedback before I submit it. It concerns a job for a Dutch Translator, with duties such as conducting technical translations as well as linguistic checks of all sorts of texts. Regarding skills, they require someone with fluency in Dutch and English, a degree in translation studies (desirable), experience in IT, computer skills and an understanding of technology. I myself am a native Dutch speaker.
It would really help me out if someone could look over my cover letter and comment on it or make suggestions to improve it. It is absolutely imperative that I find a job to pay the bills!
Thanks in advance, everyone.

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Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing to apply for the position of Dutch Translator currently as advertised on the Top Language Jobs website. I have a Master’s Degree in Japanese Studies from the University of Leiden, The Netherlands, and as a recent graduate, I am excited to hear of this position in the field of translating and working with languages.

In high school I completed several language courses including Spanish and graduated with Latin as my major. Having discovered my passion for languages, I decided to pursue my academic career in the linguistic field with Japanese Studies. Moreover, to gain a better understanding of the skill of translation, I completed a separate course on Translation Studies, aimed at translating from Dutch to English and vice versa. In 2010 I graduated from my Bachelor’s Degree with full distinction and continued with a two-year Master’s Degree in Japanese Studies. Now, as a recent graduate, I am looking for the opportunity to use my language skills within a professional context.

Both my Degrees were mainly taught in English and allowed me to obtain a high level of proficiency of the language as well as in the reading of complex English texts. Moreover, having to write about those texts in essays and in both dissertations sharpened my critical thinking and improved my English writing skill. As a result, I have grown perfectly accustomed to working in English.
Furthermore, studying a complicated foreign language such as Japanese requires commitment and discipline. I believe these skills to be essential in translating texts, as they enable you to work in a precise manner with eye for detail as well as for the end result. In my free time, I have further practiced said skills by proofreading and editing Dutch articles in a fan club magazine. Furthermore, I have often dedicated time to translation projects for small companies and the proofreading of English texts for acquaintances. In short, I enjoy not only translating but also doing the linguistic checks of texts. Moreover, I have good MS Office skills and some technological knowledge thanks to my interest in web design.

As evidenced by my strong academic performance and side projects, I am a motivated and hard-working person. Your position is the perfect opportunity for me to develop myself further in an internationally oriented work climate and to gain critical work experience. I am confident that the job duties listed will provide me with the knowledge and experience to achieve my aspirations of becoming a skilled translator. Given my passion for language and translation, I know that I will bring a high level of enthusiasm to your team and I would love the opportunity to make a valuable contribution to your company.

Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to your positive response.

Sincerely yours,
ABC.