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The reason for writing
No job is offered solely as a result of a letter
of application. The purpose of your letter is to
gain an interview. You should include only
sufficient detail of yourself to whet the
reader's appetite for more. If you give too
complete a picture, the reader might think that
they know enough about you, to reject you
without seeing you at all. The reaction should
be - 'This person sounds right for us. We must
definitely arrange an interview to find out
more'.
Personalising your letter
If possible, address your letter to a
person. Telephone and ask the receptionist who
the appropriate person is and address the letter
to that person by name. Explain briefly why you
are writing, e.g. 'I am replying to your
advertisement for office personnel'. Or, if you
are writing directly, without seeing an
advertisement - 'I shall be finishing my studies
in July and I would like to work for your
company, if there is a suitable vacancy. I am
particularly interested in….' Official bodies
and large organisations sometimes prefer you to
write to a departmental manager, rather than a
named person. In this case use 'Dear Sir (or
Madam)' and 'Yours faithfully' or 'Yours truly'.
Including the right contents
Since you have, probably, little actual
experience in the particular job or career for
which you are applying, your letter of
application must project a positive image of
yourself through the things, which you have
done. Include only those personal details which
are relevant to the job, or which show aspects
of your personality in a positive light. Cover
in separate paragraphs; why you are writing, a
brief review of your education, other relevant
interests or activities, and finally, why you
want to work for this employer. Above all, show
enthusiasm for joining the organisation and for
making a positive contribution to it.
Don't include details
of:
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Physical
appearance |
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Marital status
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Politics
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Religion
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Do include details of:
...Group activities
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Initiative
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Previous jobs
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Academic success
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The right style
To give maximum impact, make your letter no
longer than one page. Always write a draft
letter first and then review it, next day. You
can use a computer, but if you write the letter
by hand - use a large plain sheet of white paper
(not small notepaper); place a lined sheet with
wide margins underneath, so that your writing is
neat and even; write with an ink pen, not a
ballpoint pen, or pencil; never cross words out
but rewrite the letter instead. Check your
letter for spelling, punctuation and grammar.
Sending it off
Fold the letter only a minimum number of
times, before putting it in an envelope and then
send it by first class post. If you are sent a
form, fill it in and return it, with a covering
letter. Don't enclose a CV or Résumé unless
specifically asked to do so, and in any case,
include a covering latter as well.
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