Writing Letters of Application

Addressing Business Envelopes

Envelopes for business letters are addressed like those for friendly and social letters. Write your name and address in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope. Write the address on the envelope just as it appears inside the letter, beginning slightly below and to the left of the envelope center. Use a business size envelope for business letters.

Writing Letters of Application

When you decide that you want a job, one of your first steps may be to write a letter of application. The person to whom you write has probably never seen n before and will form an opinion about you from your letter. For this reason the appearance and content of your letter are very important.

The appearance of your letter includes such things as letter form, neatness, and correctness in spelling, punctuation, and grammar. The body of your application letter should include the following information.

•  Where or how you heard about the job

•  Personal data such as your age, grade in school, and grade average

•  Your qualifications for the job

•  Where and when you can be reached for an interview

•  The names and addresses of two or three people not related to you who know about your qualifications Your qualifications for the job are reasons you think you would be a good employee and could include personal qualities such as willingness to work hard and previous experience in this and similar jobs. People who can tell about your qualifications are called references and may be your adult neighbors, teachers, school principal, minister, rabbi, and so on. As a courtesy, you should ask permission of your references before listing them.

When you write a letter or request, remember that you are asking for a favor, so be especially courteous. Remember to thank the person who will fill the request and include all information the agency or business will need to fill it. Be especially careful about writing letters of request to individuals. Many professional writers, for example, receive letters from students asking for help with reports. Respect an individual’s right to privacy.

Writing letters of Request

Another kind of business is the letter of request, which you write to ask for information, catalogues, or a special favor. For example, many government agencies and businesses often give away pamphlets and booklets with advice on saving energy, deciding on a career, or becoming a good baby-sitter. You may write a letter to an agency or business requesting a copy. You may also write to request information about a place your class plans to visit or invite a speaker to your class.