Scribd
Upload
15 views9 pages

BC - ToPIC 6.3 - Part 2 (Braun, Ch25)

The document provides guidance on writing persuasive application and cover letters. It discusses why application letters are important for making a good first impression and moving a resume to the "keep" pile. The document advises customizing the letter for the specific job by focusing on key requirements, skills, and knowledge while demonstrating an understanding of the company. It also discusses writing solicited versus unsolicited letters and keeping the letter to one page or less with a positive tone.

Uploaded by

sxfzqqptsf
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
15 views9 pages

BC - ToPIC 6.3 - Part 2 (Braun, Ch25)

The document provides guidance on writing persuasive application and cover letters. It discusses why application letters are important for making a good first impression and moving a resume to the "keep" pile. The document advises customizing the letter for the specific job by focusing on key requirements, skills, and knowledge while demonstrating an understanding of the company. It also discusses writing solicited versus unsolicited letters and keeping the letter to one page or less with a positive tone.

Uploaded by

sxfzqqptsf
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

TOPIC 6.

3 (Part
2)
Creating Persuasive Application and Cover Letters
WHAT KNOWLEDGE WILL WE
LEARN?
• Why must I learn to write a persuasive application letter?
• What’s the Point of the Application/Cover Letter?
• What Kind of Letter Do I Write?
WHAT SKILLS WILL WE LEARN?
• How Are the Two Letters Different?
• How Long Should My Letter Be?
• How Do I Create the Right Tone?
A well-written application letter captures a
Why must I recruiter’s interest and motivates him or her to
read your résumé.
learn to
write a It also provides an important first impression of
you and your written communication skills.
persuasive
application Its content must be well-organized, targeted,
and polished.
letter?
If your letter passes that first reading, your
résumé may be skimmed and moved to the
“keep” pile for further review.
What’s the Point of Use the application/cover letter to
the provide a brief preview of your resumé,
Application/Cover capturing the recruiter’s interest.
Letter? Customize it for your audience.

Focus on:
• key job requirements using the
posting’s language
• skills and knowledge
• language and information that
demonstrate your knowledge
• transferable and marketable skills
What Kind of Letter Do I Write?

• You found a job posting.


• A friend has advised you to
Solicited apply.
• You’ve read they are hiring.

• The company is not hiring


and no job ad exists.
Unsolicited • No requests have been
solicited, but you take the
initiative to write.
How Are the Two Letters Different?

Solicited Unsolicited
Beginning • States what you’re applying for • Catches the reader’s attention
and where you saw the posting • Bridges the attention getter to
• Provides a summary sentence your qualifications
serving as an outline
Middle • Develops your major • Develops your major
qualifications, tying them to the qualifications, identifying the
job requirements niche you wish to fill
• Provides evidence to support • Provides evidence to support
your claims your claims
• Shows your knowledge of the • Shows your knowledge of the
company company
End • Asks for an interview, noting • Asks for an interview, noting
your availability your availability
How Long Should My
Letter Be?

• Try to keep it to one page, hard copy, or the


equivalent length if email.
• Be sure your letter content is concise and clear.
• If your hard copy letter is still slightly over a page,
use smaller margins, or a type size that’s one
point smaller.
• If a second page is necessary, be sure the
content is essential.
How Do I Create the Right Tone?
Use you-attitude and positive emphasis.

• Create you-attitude by describing what you have done and showing


how that relates to what you can do for the prospective employer.
• Limit the use of I. Instead, use me or my.
• Avoid starting every paragraph with “I” by using adverbs,
prepositional phrases, or introductory clauses.
• Be positive. Avoid words with negative connotations.

You might also like