Perfection counts when writing letters for employment. All your Job search correspondence should be simple, concise, grammatically correct, and error-free. Here are job letter tips and suggestions for writing employment correspondence which will help you stand out from the crowd.
All Job Search Letters
Spell check and proofread. Then ask someone else to read your correspondence before you send it. It's often easy not to notice mistakes in our own writing.
Write simply and clearly. Get right to the point and write short, focused letters. Each letter should be one page, or less. Each paragraph should contain three or four sentences, at most.
Do not use a form letter and send it to every potential employer you can find (you know what you do with junk mail!). Your cover letter should be written specifically for each position you seek.
Review letter samples to get ideas for format and content for your letters. Use examples as a starting point for creating your own library of job search correspondence.
Keep copies of all your employment letters. If you are applying for similar positions you can edit an existing letter rather than writing a new one.
Cover Letter Tips
Send a cover letter with each resume you send out. Your cover letter may make the difference between obtaining a job interview and having your resume ignored. Even if an employer doesn't request a cover letter, it's helpful to send one.
Personalize your letter. If you can, address it to the individual responsible for hiring. If need be, research online or make a phone call to find out who the hiring manager is.
Don't forget to sign your letter.
Use email for cover letters, but, keep them short and include in the email message. Don't send as an attachment unless the employer specifically requests an attachment.
