Job Application Packages_How to wirte concise, persuasive application letters

The contents of this posting is a summary to memorize the information of BCIT COMM 1116 and 2216 Business Communications.

Source from WRITING IN THE TECHNICAL FIELDS - A Practival Guide wirtten by Thorsten Ewald

 

1. How to craft scannable,clear, descriptive résumés

2. How to wirte concise, persuasive application letters

3. How to find job openings to which to apply in the first place.

 

Application Letters

An application letter (sometimes referred to as a cover letter) is more than a brief note letting the reader know that you are applying for a job and that your résumé is enclosed or, in the case of an email, attached. It is a sales docuent tailored very specivically to the job for which you are applying. Is expands on the two or three items from your résumé that will most convince the prospective employer that you are a suitable candidiate. It should be no longer thatn a single page and should be formatted like a proper business letter.

 

Four-part structure:

1. Introductory paragraph

2. Education paragrapf

3. Experience paragraph

4. Concluding paragraph

 

Note why you want to work for the company and what you think you could contribute to it. 

 

1. Introductory paragraph

Set the tone for the rest of the letter. Convey quiet confidence and professionalism. Let your friends read your letter to check the tone for you.

This paragraph should do a number of purely perfunctory things

- Identify your source of information:  How you heard about them. 

- Identify the positio for which you are applying: Large companies might be adverting for several positions at once and will need to konw how to file your application. 

- Demonstrate your knowledge of and interest in the company: This is a subtle form of flattery that suggests that your are not just looking for any job, but would like to work for that company in particular. Showing that you share their corporate or social values and have an interest in their particular types of projects will make you seem like a good fit with the company's corporate culture.

- Indicate what points you will be developing in the rest of the letter

 

* Tone: Make your clains as neutral as possible and as factual as possible. Rely on third-party endorsement.

 

2. Education Paragraph

Describe our relevant educational background. Not our entire educational history, which you will already have provided in the résumé. The letter will detail specific accomplishments during our education that will be of particulat interest to the prospective employer. The idea is to help the employer imagine you doing similarly impressive things, showing similar initiative and deiligence.

 

3. Experience Paragraph

If you do not have a lot of experience, you do not have to include an experience paragraph. Insert two or three education paragraph instead. The key is to ask ourself what two or three things we could tell prospective employers that would make thme take a closer look at our application. Describes our relevant work experience only. Focus on those parts of our experience that will prove to the prospecitve employer that we can do the job. Avoid repetition.

 

4. Concluding Paragraph

The application letter is a sales document.