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• 1. Self Assessment
• 2. Research
• 3. Decision-Making
• 4. Networks & Contacts
  • 4.1 Work Search
    • 4.1.1 Traditional Methods of Finding Openings
    • 4.1.2 Internet Sites Listing Job Advertisements
    • 4.1.3 Creative Methods for Finding Work
    • 4.1.4 Researching Employers
    • 4.1.5 Networking, Developing Leads and Making Contacts
    • 4.1.6 Networking Contacts
    • 4.1.7 Networking Diagrams
    • 4.1.8 Create a Job Seeker's Calling Card
  • 4.2 Resumes
    • 4.2.1 Preparing to Write Your Resume
    • 4.2.2 Major Sections of a Resume
    • 4.2.3 Types of Resumes
    • 4.2.4 Functional Resume
    • 4.2.5 Additional Resume Tips
    • 4.2.6 Action Verbs that Describe Skills
    • 4.2.7 Preparing an Electronic Version of Your Resume
    • 4.2.8 Resume Templates
    • 4.2.9 Resources on Resume Writing
  • 4.3 Letters
    • 4.3.1 Cover and Broadcast Letters
    • 4.3.2 Comparison of Cover and Broadcast Letters
    • 4.3.3 A Process to Develop Letters
    • 4.3.4 Creating Thank You Letters
    • 4.3.5 Sample Letter Format
    • 4.3.6 Resources on Letter Writing
  • 4.4 Interviews
    • 4.4.1 The Core of the Interview Process
    • 4.4.2 Selling Your Benefits
    • 4.4.3 Understanding Verbal & Non-Verbal Communication
    • 4.4.4 Approaches to Interviewing
    • 4.4.5 The Employer's Evaluation
    • 4.4.6 Tips for Effective Interviewing
    • 4.4.7 Your Rights in the Interview
    • 4.4.8 Resources on Interviewing
• 5. Work
• 6. Life/Work Planning

Step 4.3: Letters

In this section you will learn how to write: Cover and broadcast letters Thank-you letters Letters in response to being declined for a job Withdrawing from consideration and declining job offer letters Accepting a job offer letter

Effective letter writing is an essential aspect of your job search. Do you want to convince a potential employer not to hire you? Send a resume with no cover letter. Send a form letter addressed to "The Hiring Manager". Or address your letter to "Dear Sir", and have it opened by a female manager!

Good writing takes time. Compose letters that reflect your own personality. Do not copy someone else's letters. Send handwritten correspondence only when requested by the employer.

A Special Note for Co-op Students

Because the co-op process is time sensitive, you will not be able to write a cover letter in every case. Consider writing tailored letters for those positions that are a priority for you. Co-op students should not address their letters to an individual. Remove the salutation line or replace it with "Dear Recruiter".

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act but a habit. ~ Aristotle

Letter Writing Strategies

You may be in contact with several hundred people during your career exploration and work search activities. If you do not already know, obtain the name and title of the person to whom you should write and ensure that you have the correct spelling. Telephone the organization to ensure your information is current. Use Ms. to address a woman unless you know that she prefers Miss or Mrs. Your correspondence will be better received when addressed to the correct person and not to a job title.

Decide on the focus of your letter, tailor your information to the reader, and ensure that all the points keep on topic. Base your correspondence to employers around what you can do for them, not on what you want them to do for you. One page is the maximum for letters. Let your enthusiasm be apparent. You do not want to lose the reader's interest before the person finishes the page. Avoid the words "as you can see", because the reader may not be able to "see" the point the way you do.

Check your first draft for the number of times you have written "I". Overuse of "I", monotony of sentence structure, and rambling, boring text defeat your goal of writing an effective letter. Try to limit your paragraphs to no more than four or five sentences and your sentences to a maximum of two lines. The first sentence in a paragraph introduces the topic to be covered in that paragraph.

Send an original, not copies that look mass-produced. Keep a copy of your correspondence. Follow-up at the appropriate time because the person to whom you have written may not contact you.

Do's and Don'ts I (for cover letters) -

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Do's and Don'ts II (for cover letters) -

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To continue with Step 4.3.1, click here.