Job-Search Letter Writing

What is a Job-Search Letter?

Effective job-search letters are professional written correspondences that play a key part in the job-search process, from beginning to end. There are seven basic types of letters.

Tips:

• Do all the writing yourself. Never delegate your job search to anyone else.

• Design your letters to be work-centered and employer-centered, not self-centered. Show how your talents and background can meet the employer’s needs.

• Tailor your letters to each situation. Generic, mass-produced letters are unprofessional.

• Be timely. This demonstrates that you know how to do business with others.

• Be honest. Always back your claims with specific examples from your experience.

• Be brief. Show that you understand the value of the reader’s time.

• Address your letters to a specific individual with his or her correct title and address.

• Keep the letter to one page.

• Avoid rehashing material from your resume.

• Keep in mind that business letters are formal, not informal, documents. They can be personal, but avoid being overly familiar.

• Place the most important items first, supported by facts.

• Group similar items together in a paragraph; then organize the paragraphs in a logical sequence.

• Use active voice and action verbs.

• Write clearly and simply. Avoid jargon and overly complex sentences.

• Produce an error-free, clean copy.

• Use high-quality stationary and envelopes.

Types of letters:

The following are the seven basic letters to write during a job search. Be sure to sign the original letters and to keep copies for your records.

1. Application – to get your enclosed resume read and to generate interviews for specific job advertisements and vacancy announcements

2. Prospecting – to seek out possible vacancies in your occupation, to get your resume read, and to generate interviews.

3. Networking – to generate informational interviews, not job interviews, which allow you to meet individuals who can give you helpful information about your intended career.

4. Thank-You – to establish goodwill, to express appreciation, and/or to strengthen your candidacy.

5. Acceptance – to accept a job offer, to confirm the terms of your employment, and to positively reinforce the employer’s decision to hire you.

6. Withdrawal – to inform all other employers of your decision to accept a position and to withdraw your employment application from consideration.

7. Rejection – to decline employment offers that do not fit your career objectives and interests.

Source: Job Choices: Edition 2000