Download - CC Unit 9, Application Letter
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
1/28
Commercial CorrespondenceUnit 9
Letters of Application
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
2/28
Letters of Application
A letter of application is a sales letter, in whichyou are both salesperson and product.
The letter presents what you can offerthe employer, rather than what youwant from the job.
2
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
3/28
Letters of Application
Also called acover letter of your rsum
Requirements:
Capture attention by using a good writing style
Arouse interest in your qualifications
Back up with convincing evidence
Bring about the action you want the prospectiveemployer to take
3
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
4/28
Quick tips for writing
an effective cover letter Ensure your application looks attractive and neatly
presented.
Keep it short (2 or 3 paragraphs). Write sincerely.
Show that you understand the company and theposition.
Show some personality (to balance the choppy,factual style of your rsum)
Meticulously check your spelling, grammar.
4
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
5/28
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
6/28
Parts of an Application Letter
Three main parts:
1. An opening that gains attention,
2. A body that builds interest and reducesresistance, and
3. A closing that motivates action.
6
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
7/28
Part 1: Opening
Purpose: Gaining Attention
Two important tasks: Clearly state your reason for writing, and
Give the recipient a reason to keep reading.
7
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
8/28
Part 1: OpeningSOLICITED APPLICATION LETTERS
Special attention-getter is not very importantbecause you have been invited to apply.
What to write:
Identify where you discovered the job opening;
(refer to the ad and the specific job advertised)
Describe briefly what you have to offer.
8
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
9/28
Part 1: OpeningSOLICITED APPLICATION LETTERS
With several years experience as the solesecretary of a private business, I would like to
apply for the position of executive secretary whichyou advertised in the Terre Haute Gazette ofSunday, February 28, 20__.
9
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
10/28
Part 1: OpeningSOLICITED APPLICATION LETTERS
Your advertisement in Section C-3 of the June 1Daily News for an accounting administrator
greatly appeals to me. With my accountingtraining and computer experience, I believe Icould serve Quad Graphics well.
10
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
11/28
Part 1: OpeningUNSOLICITED APPLICATION LETTERS
Special attention-getter is very important becauseyou are prospecting for a job.
What to write:
Spark interest and grab attention;
State why you are interested in thecompany/job
Describe briefly what you have to offer.
11
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
12/28
Part 1: OpeningUNSOLICITED APPLICATION LETTERS
Some ways to spark interest, grab attention, and toindicate how you can serve the employer:
Demonstrate interest in and knowledge of thereaders business
Since Signa Health Net, Inc., is organizing a newinformation management team for its recently
established group insurance division, could you usethe services of a well-trained information systemsgraduate who seeks to become a professionalsystems analyst?
12
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
13/28
Part 1: OpeningUNSOLICITED APPLICATION LETTERS
Show how your strongest skills will benefit theorganization
If you need a regional sales specialist whoconsistently meets sales targets while fosteringstrong customer relationships, please considermy qualifications.
13
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
14/28
Part 1: OpeningUNSOLICITED APPLICATION LETTERS
Mention the name of a person known to andhighly regarded by the reader
When Janice McHugh of your franchise salesdivision spoke to our business communicationclass last week, she said you often needpromising new marketing graduates at this timeof the year.
14
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
15/28
Part 1: OpeningUNSOLICITED APPLICATION LETTERS
Use a question to demonstrate yourunderstanding of the organizations needs
Can your fast-growing market research divisionuse an interviewer with two years of field surveyexperience, a B.A. in public relations, and a realdesire to succeed? If so, please consider me forthe position.
15
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
16/28
Part 2: Body
Purpose: Building Interest and Increasing Desire
Present a more complete picture of your strengths
with potential benefit to the organization.Tips:
Be as specific as you can;
Back up your assertions with some convincingevidence of your ability to perform, even withbrief anecdotes;
Avoid repeating data from your rsum.
16
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
17/28
Part 2: Body
Poor:
I completed three college courses in businesscommunication, earning an A in each course, andhave worked for the past year at ImperialConstruction.
17
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
18/28
Part 2: Body
Improved:
Using the skills gained from three semesters of
college training in business communication, Ideveloped a collection system for ImperialConstruction that reduced annual bad-debt lossesby 25 percent. Emphasizing a win-win scenario
for the company and its clients with incentives foron-time payment, the system was also creditedwith improving customer satisfaction.
18
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
19/28
Part 2: Body
Match personal strengths to employers needs
A course in business communication, report
writing, and technical writing have helped medevelop the research and writing skills requiredof your technical writers.
19
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
20/28
Part 2: Body
Dont restrict your message to just core jobduties. Also highlight personal characteristics
that apply to the targeted position:working hard, learning quickly, handlingresponsibility, showing initiative, or gettingalong with people.
20
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
21/28
Part 2: Body
In addition to developing technical andacademic skills at Mid-State University, I have
gained interpersonal, leadership, andorganizational skills. As vice president of thebusiness students organization, Gamma Alpha,I helped organize and supervise two successfulfund-raising events.
21
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
22/28
Part 2: Body
While attending college full-time, I trained 3 hoursa day with the varsity track team. In addition, I
worked part-time during the school year and up to60 hours a week each summer in order to betotally self-supporting while in college. I can offeryour organization the same level of effort and
perseverance.
22
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
23/28
Part 2: Body
When writing a solicited letter, be sure todiscuss each requirement specified in the
advertisement. If you lack any of these requirements, stress
other solid selling points to help strengthen youroverall presentation.
23
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
24/28
Part 2: Body
Refer the reader to your rsum.
As you will notice from my rsum, I will graduate
in June with a bachelors degree in businessadministration.
As you can see in the enclosed rsum , Ive beenworking part-time with a local publisher since my
sophomore year. During that time, Ive used clientinteractions as an opportunity to build strongcustomer service skills.
24
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
25/28
Part 3: Closing
Purpose: Motivating action
Two important tasks:
Ask the reader for a specific action (try to soundnatural and appreciative), and
Facilitate a reply (stating your phone number,email address, and the best time to reach you).
Optional:
Refer again to your strongest selling point.
Offer to supply more information if necessary.
25
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
26/28
Part 3: Closing
I hope this brief description of my qualificationsand the additional information on my rsum
indicate to you my genuine desire to put my skillsin accounting to working for you. Please call meat (405) 488-2291 before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m.to arrange an interview.
Please let me know if there are any other detailsyou need. Meanwhile, I look forward to hearingfrom you.
26
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
27/28
Part 3: Closing
To add to your staff an industrious, well-trainedadministrative assistant with proven word
processing and communication skills, call me at(350) 492-1433 to arrange an interview. I canmeet with you at any time convenient to yourschedule.
Next week, after you have examined the attachedrsum , I will call you to discuss the possibility ofarranging an interview.
27
-
8/14/2019 CC Unit 9, Application Letter
28/28
Checklist
Ask yourself these 4 questions before you send theletter:
1.
Does it read like a good business letter?2. Will the opening paragraph interest the employer
enough to prompt him/her to read the rest?
3. Does it suggest that you are genuinely interested
in the post and the kind of work to be done?4. Is your letter neatly presented and logically
structured?
THE END 28