McGraw-Hill/Irwin

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Module 28Module 28

Job Application Letters

Job Application Letters

©2007, The McGraw-Hill Companies, All Rights Reserved.

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Job Application LettersJob Application LettersJob Application LettersJob Application Letters

To learn how toTo learn how to Organize job application letters.Organize job application letters. Catch the reader’s interest even Catch the reader’s interest even

when the company isn’t planning to when the company isn’t planning to hire.hire.

Show that you have the Show that you have the qualifications for the job.qualifications for the job.

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Job Application LettersJob Application LettersJob Application LettersJob Application Letters

To learn how toTo learn how to Persuade the employer that you’re Persuade the employer that you’re

in the very top group of applicants.in the very top group of applicants. Use information about the company Use information about the company

effectively in your letter.effectively in your letter.

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Job Application LettersJob Application LettersJob Application LettersJob Application Letters

Start by answering these questions:Start by answering these questions: What kind of letter should I use?What kind of letter should I use? How are the two letters different?How are the two letters different? What parts of the two letters are the What parts of the two letters are the

same?same? Should I use T-letters?Should I use T-letters?

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Job Application LettersJob Application LettersJob Application LettersJob Application Letters

Start by answering these questions:Start by answering these questions: How long should my letter be?How long should my letter be? How do I create the right tone?How do I create the right tone? The company wants an e-mail The company wants an e-mail

application. What should I do?application. What should I do?

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In the Letter, Focus onIn the Letter, Focus onIn the Letter, Focus onIn the Letter, Focus on

Major requirements of the job.Major requirements of the job.

Points that separate you from Points that separate you from other applicants.other applicants.

Points that show your knowledge Points that show your knowledge of the organization.of the organization.

Qualities that every employer Qualities that every employer values.values.

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To Make the Letter ProfessionalTo Make the Letter ProfessionalTo Make the Letter ProfessionalTo Make the Letter Professional

Use a standard font.Use a standard font. Address your letter to a specific Address your letter to a specific

person.person. Don’t mention relatives’ names.Don’t mention relatives’ names. Omit unnecessary personal Omit unnecessary personal

information.information. In general, use a conservative In general, use a conservative

style.style. Edit and proofread carefully.Edit and proofread carefully.

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Types of Application LettersTypes of Application LettersTypes of Application LettersTypes of Application Letters

SolicitedSolicited You know the company is hiring.You know the company is hiring. Jobs are likely advertised.Jobs are likely advertised. Sometimes you learn of openings through Sometimes you learn of openings through

word of mouth.word of mouth.

UnsolicitedUnsolicited You don’t know the company is hiring.You don’t know the company is hiring. These help you tap into the “hidden job These help you tap into the “hidden job

market.”market.”

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Solicited Letter PatternSolicited Letter PatternSolicited Letter PatternSolicited Letter Pattern

State that you are applying for the job.State that you are applying for the job. Phrase the job title as the source Phrase the job title as the source

phrased it.phrased it.

Develop major qualifications in detail.Develop major qualifications in detail. Develop other qualifications, even if Develop other qualifications, even if

the source didn’t ask for them.the source didn’t ask for them. Ask for an interview.Ask for an interview.

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Prospecting Letter PatternProspecting Letter PatternProspecting Letter PatternProspecting Letter Pattern

Create a bridge between the Create a bridge between the attention-getter and your attention-getter and your qualifications.qualifications. Focus on what you know and can do.Focus on what you know and can do.

Develop your strong points in Develop your strong points in detail.detail.

Ask for an interview.Ask for an interview.

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In Both Letters In Both Letters continuedcontinuedIn Both Letters In Both Letters continuedcontinued

Show knowledge of the Show knowledge of the company and position.company and position.

Refer to your rRefer to your résuméésumé and ask and ask for an interview. for an interview.

Use a full page.Use a full page. Use a second page if necessary.Use a second page if necessary.

Use you-attitude.Use you-attitude.Use positive emphasis.Use positive emphasis.

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For E-Mail LettersFor E-Mail LettersFor E-Mail LettersFor E-Mail Letters

Tell what word-processing Tell what word-processing program your scannable rprogram your scannable résuméésumé is is in.in.

Put the job number or title in your Put the job number or title in your subject line and first paragraph.subject line and first paragraph.

Create the letter in a word Create the letter in a word processor, spell check, then cut processor, spell check, then cut and paste into e-mail.and paste into e-mail.

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For E-Mail Letters For E-Mail Letters continuedcontinuedFor E-Mail Letters For E-Mail Letters continuedcontinued

Don’t use all capital letters.Don’t use all capital letters. Don’t use smiley faces or other Don’t use smiley faces or other

“emoticons.”“emoticons.” Put your name and e-mail address Put your name and e-mail address

at the end.at the end.

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T-LettersT-LettersT-LettersT-Letters

Use a T-letter if the employer prefers it.Use a T-letter if the employer prefers it. To createTo create

Determine job duties and how you Determine job duties and how you match them.match them.

Use bullet points to highlight duties Use bullet points to highlight duties and your skills.and your skills.

Use a solicited or unsolicited Use a solicited or unsolicited introduction.introduction.

Ask for an interview.Ask for an interview.