Part 2 Job search letters

Word list:

Read the text and say what the main application letters are.

Perhaps one of the most confusing aspects of finding a job that you’ll face is writing appropriate job-search letters.

There are seven basic letters you will probably use during your job search: 1) application; 2) prospecting; 3) networking; 4) thank-you; 5) acceptance; 6) withdrawal; and 7) rejection.

1. Application letter — the purposes of this letter are to get your attached resume read and to generate interviews. Use this type of letter in response to specific job advertisements and vacancy announcements. Your strategy is to demonstrate that your qualifications fit the requirements of the position. Study the position description carefully and decide on one or more themes — education, experience, interests, responsibility, and so forth — that show persuasively how well you fit the position. Link major job dimensions with your related past performance and experience.

2. Prospecting letter — the purposes of this letter are to prospect for possible vacancies in your occupation, get your resume read, and generate interviews. Prospecting letters are used extensively for long-distance searches. Target specific individuals in specific organizations. Structure this letter similarly to the application letter, but instead of using specific position information, focus on broader occupational and/or organizational dimensions to describe how your qualifications match the work environment.

3. Networking letter — this letter is designed to generate information interviews — not job interviews — which allow you to meet individuals who can give you specific information about your intended career. Your purposes in seeking information interviews may vary, but your reasons for wanting to meet with a contact person must be genuine and sincere. Information interviewing, or “networking, ” has been tainted by job seekers who misuse this approach, but it remains a viable way to conduct job market research, refine career goals, and uncover vacancy information in an industry or a geographical region. Information interviewing isn’t a magic shortcut to employment; it requires solid preparation, sincerity, and much effort. The networking letter is the first step in the information interviewing process. Normally, a resume is not attached to a networking letter, but it may be presented during the interview itself to help the interviewer address your questions.

4. Thank-you letter — this is one of the most important, yet least used, tools in a job search. It is used to establish goodwill, express appreciation, and/or strengthen your candidacy. The basic rule of thumb is that everyone who helps you in any way gets a thank-you letter. When used to follow up on employment interviews, thank-you letters should be sent within 24 hours to everyone who interviewed you. If it is not possible or appropriate to send a thank-you letter to everyone you met during the interview, then send a thank-you letter to your host or to the highest ranking manager you met with a request to extend your appreciation to the entire group. Also, be sure to send thank-you letters to each of your contacts who granted you information interviews and to people who provided references for you.

5. Acceptance letter — use this letter to accept a job offer, to confirm the terms of your employment (salary, starting date, medical examinations, and so on), and to positively reinforce the employer’s decision to hire you. Most often, an acceptance letter follows a telephone conversation, during which the details of the offer and the terms of employment are discussed.

6. Withdrawal letter — once you accept a position, you have an ethical obligation to inform all other employers of your decision and to withdraw your employment application from consideration. Your withdrawal letter should express appreciation for the employer’s consideration and courtesy. It may be appropriate to state that your decision to go with another organization was based on having a better person/job fit for this stage in your career. DO NOT say that you obtained a better job.

7. Rejection letter — employers aren’t the only ones to send rejection letters. Candidates may have to decline employment offers that do not fit their career objectives and interests. Rejecting an employment offer should be done thoughtfully. Indicate that you have carefully considered the offer and have decided not to accept it. Also, be sure to thank the employer for the offer and for consideration of you as a candidate.

Exercises to the subject:

I. Give Ukrainian equivalents to the English words and word-combinations from the text: the most confusing aspects; attached resume; to generate; in response to; job advertisements; vacancy announcements; position description; persuasively; job dimensions; extensively; long-distance searches; similarly; intended career; tainted; a viable way; to conduct job market research; to refine career goals; to uncover vacancy information; a magic shortcut; solid preparation; sincerity; to establish goodwill; to express appreciation; to strengthen candidacy; host; the highest ranking manager; to extend appreciation to the entire group; to accept a job offer; to confirm the terms of employment; to positively reinforce; to withdraw employment application from consideration; to decline employment offers; thoughtfully.

II. Give English equivalents to the Ukrainian words and word-combinations from the text: відповідний, доречний; призначення; годитися, бути придатним; і таке інше, і так далі; з’єднувати, зв’язувати, сполучати; досліджувати, розвідувати; намічати, планувати; підходити, відповідати; надавати, робити можливим; справжній, істинний, непідроблений; неправильно вживати; прохання; рекомендації; наймати; вдячність; чемність, ввічливість; пропозиція роботи.

III. Read the letter of application given below and answer the questions:

1. Which job is Sarah Brown applying for?

2. Where did she see the advertisement?

3. How long has she been working as a software engineer?

4. What type of programs has she written?

5. When did she spend thee months in Spain?

Dear Mr Scott,

I am writing to apply for the position of Senior Programmer, which was advertised on 28^th March in The Times.

I graduated in May 2002 and did a work placement with British Gas as part of my degree. Before taking my present job I worked for a year with NCR. I stayed in this job until March 2004.

For the last three years I have been working as a software engineer for Intelligent Software. I have designed four programs in COBOL for commercial use, and since January I have been writing programs in C for use in large retail chains. These have been very successful and we have won several new contracts in the UK and Europe on the strength of my team’s success.

Two years ago I spent three months in Spain testing our programs and also made several visits to Italy, so I have a basic knowledge of Spanish and Italian. I now feel ready for more responsibility and more challenging work, and would welcome the opportunity to learn about a new industry.

I enclose my curriculum vitae. I will be available for an interview at any time.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Sarah Brown

IV. Read the following cover letter and fill in the words and word-combinations in it.

Computer tech task; resume; career; opportunity; a team environment; apply

Darwin Ordonez

2338 Hershell Hollow Road

Bristol, TN 37620

(333)-481-3464

ordonez@email.com

Jan 23, 2010

Mr. Troy Whitten

Sony Online Entertainment

1380 Leroy Lane

Hoven, SD 57450

Dear Mr. Whitten,

I write to (1) … for the Computer Programmer position advertised on your website. With much enthusiasm, I have attached my (2)…for your review.

I began my 5 year (3) … as a computer programmer when I received my Masters degree from Vanderbilt University in Computer Programming. Since that time, I have worked in three successful companies - for both internal company needs, as well as in conjunction with engineers for new computer projects. Moreover, I am well acquainted with new and existing programming languages, applications, and systems; so there is no (4) … I cannot manage with aplomb. Lastly, I work well in (5) …, but I am also well suited to taking initiative when needed.

I would love the (6) … to discuss this opportunity with you further if you would oblige. Please contact me at (333)-481-3464 to schedule a time to speak. Thanks so much for your time.

Sincerely,

Darwin Ordonez

Enclosure: resume