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Job Letter Conventions. Getting a Job in the Real World. The Job Letter. Gives you a chance to present yourself in narrative form a format that lets you clarify and add details that don't fit into a traditional résumé Not a place for you to write a confessional
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Job Letter Conventions Getting a Job in the Real World
The Job Letter • Gives you a chance to present yourself in narrative form • a format that lets you clarify and add details that don't fit into a traditional résumé • Not a place for you to write a confessional • Should emphasize skills and enthusiasm for a specific job you are applying for.
Introductory Paragraph • Should set the reader’s expectations for the remainder of the letter • Explain your topic and purpose • Name the position that interests you • Say how you found out about the position • Explain why you are interested in this job or company • Say why you believe you are right for this job (this is a forecasting statement)
Body Paragraph(s) • Because you forecasted why you are a good fit for this job, you want to use the body paragraphs to make your case • If you divide your qualifications into "experience" "skills" and "interests", then you would want to dedicate a (short) body paragraph to each
Body Paragraph(s) II • Use the first sentence of each paragraph as a "topic" sentence to identify what the paragraph will be about • The sentences in the body of the paragraph should give information (details) that back up the topic sentence by: • Emphasizing which of your experience/skills/interests apply to the job • Pointing out what qualifications you've acquired from your education or experience • Mentioning projects or work that has prepared you for the job. • Making sure that you are supplementing the résumé, not just repeating it • Showing how you can be distinguished from others applying for the same position
Concluding Paragraph • The concluding paragraph should have you end with some standard information. • Say again why you are right for this position • Give a summary of the main points of the letter • Ask for an interview or when you would be available for an interview • Be sure to have all your contact information included
Action Words From Markel (7th Ed.), p. 402