Meaning of Business

Correspondence
Communication + exchange of letters
= correspondence
Communicate + feelings, thoughts etc.
to friends and relatives through letters
= personal correspondence
Communicate + between companies
and individuals: customers, clients,
contractors or other outside parties
= business correspondence

A Note About Format

Block Format - The most common
layout of a business letter is known
as block format.
Semi-Block Format
Modified Block Format

Font
Accepted -Times New
Roman, Arial
Size - 12
Consider - audience
A conservative
company -use Times New
Roman
A more liberal company
- a little more freedom
when choosing fonts

Punctuation

Punctuation - after the

salutation and closing use a colon (:) after the
salutation (never a
comma) and a comma (,)
after the closing.
Use a less common
format, known as open
punctuation. Excludes
after the salutation and
the closing

NOTE: If you are using letterhead, do not include

the sender's address at the top of the letter;
instead, begin with the date.
123 Winner's Road
New Employee Town, PA 12345
March 16, 2001
Mr. Ernie English
1234 Writing Lab Lane
Write City, IN 12345
Dear Mr. English:
The first paragraph of a typical business letter is used to state
the main point of the letter. Begin with a friendly opening; then
quickly transition into the purpose of your letter. Use a couple
of sentences to explain the purpose, but do not go in to detail

Beginning with the second paragraph, state the supporting

details to justify your purpose. These may take the form of
background information, statistics or first-hand accounts. A few
short paragraphs within the body of the letter should be
enough to support your reasoning.
Finally, in the closing paragraph, briefly restate your purpose
and why it is important. If the purpose of your letter is
employment related, consider ending your letter with your
contact information. However, if the purpose is informational,
think about closing with gratitude for the reader's time.
Sincerely,

Lucy Letter
LUCY LETTER

Composing Your Letter

of Application /Cover
Letter
Essential to a successful job
search
Sales tool like a rsum

A.
Basic Parts
An introduction a statement of who you are and why
you are sending the letter.
A sales pitch an overview of your qualifications,
skills, abilities, and accomplishments.
A call to action a request for a specific action such
as an interview.

Ideally, you will cover these three basic parts in

just 3-5 concise paragraphs typed on one page.

B. General Guidelines
1.Contact
Information. To
begin, include both
the employer's and
your contact
information. ...
2.Introduction. Find
out to whom you're
writing....

3.

4.

Sell Yourself. The

second paragraph
should respond
directly to the job
description written by
the hiring manager.
Conclusion

https://resumegenius.com/cover-letters-the-how-to-guide

SAMPLE COVER LETTER

MARTIN STEIN
15 Applegate Way
Sometown, PA 19000
(215) 555-5555
martinstein@somedomain.com

March 21, 2012

Christine Smith
VP Technical Services
XYZ Company
1224 Main St.
Anytown, PA 55555
Dear Ms. Smith:
Are you searching for a software engineer with a proven ability to develop
high-performance applications and technical innovations? If so, please
consider my enclosed resume.
Since 2002, I have served as a software engineer for Action Company, where
I have been repeatedly recognized for developing innovative solutions for
multimillion-dollar, globally deployed software and systems. I am responsible
for full lifecycle development of next-generation software, from initial

Known for excellent client-facing skills, I have participated in proposals and

presentations that have landed six-figure contracts. I also excel in merging
business and user needs into high-quality, cost-effective design solutions
while keeping within budgetary constraints.
My technical expertise includes cross-platform proficiency (Windows, Unix,
Linux and VxWorks); fluency in 13 scripting/programming languages
(including C, C++, VB, Java, Perl and SQL); and advanced knowledge of
developer applications, tools, methodologies and best practices (including
OOD, client/server architecture and self-test automation).
My experience developing user-friendly solutions on time and on budget
would enable me to step into a software engineering role at XYZ Company
and hit the ground running. I will follow up with you next week, and you may
reach me at (215) 555-5555. I look forward to speaking with you.
Sincerely,
Martine Stein
Martin Stein
Enclosure/s:

4 Cover Letter Trends for 2017

Published on January 4, 2017

TREND 1: Cover Letters Become Shorter (But No

Less Important)
Recommendation: Limit your letter to 1 page and your
paragraphs to 3 or 4 lines at most. Make your letter
easy to skim and easy to read whether viewed on paper,
on a computer screen, or on a mobile device.
TREND 2: Cover Letters Add Value to Online
Applications
Recommendation: Of course, not every hiring
authority will read your cover letter. Thats OK. Write for
those who will, and give them information that sets you
apart from all of the other (equally qualified) candidates.

TREND 3: Cover Letters Are E-Notes

Recommendation: Create an up-to-date and
professional image by adapting your letter to an
e-note format when sending via email.
TREND 4: Good Writing and Correct Spelling
and Grammar Never Go Out of Style
Recommendation: Just as you take pains with
your interview appearance, take the time to
carefully write and even more carefully review
the letters (and resumes) that you sendso that
you make your best first impression.

APPLICATION
Activity: Writing (SQ1)
This is an individual task.
Prepare the draft of your cover
letter/letter of application.
Choose between the solicited or
unsolicited letter of application.

Writing Your Rsum

A.Organizing Your Rsum
Data sheet, tool summary
Highlights skills and abilities
Easy to read, professional, clear

 Reverse Chronological Order

most recent work experience &
backward to earlier jobs
Functional Order
accomplishments or skills, most
important or impressive first;
education, most important
qualification IF

B. Preparing Your Rsum

Education

Heading
Job objective (or
career goal)
Special
qualifications
Work Experience

Activities, interests,
and achievements
Personal
Information and
picture (optional)
References
(optional)

Functional Rsum Sample

CHRIS ATTWATER
567 Rosewood Lane
Colorado Springs, CO 81207
(960) 555-1212
cattw@somedomain.com
OBJECTIVE
Executive assistant position allowing for parlay of demonstrated
organization, customer service, communication and project management
skills proven by 13 years of successful, profitable self-employment.
PROFILE
Motivated, personable business professional with multiple college
degrees and a successful 13-year track record of profitable small business
ownership. Talent for quickly mastering technology -- recently completed
Microsoft Office Suite certificate course. Diplomatic and tactful with
professionals and nonprofessionals at all levels. Accustomed to handling
sensitive, confidential records. Demonstrated history of producing accurate,

Flexible and versatile -- able to maintain a sense of humor

under pressure. Poised and competent with demonstrated ability to
easily transcend cultural differences. Thrive in deadline-driven
environments. Excellent team-building skills.
SKILLS SUMMARY
Project Management
Report Preparation
Written Correspondence
General Office Skills
Computer Savvy
Customer Service
Scheduling
Marketing & Sales
Insurance Billing
Accounting/Bookkeeping
Front-Office Operations
Professional Presentations

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Communication: Reports/Presentations/Technology
Prepare complex reports for managed-care organizations and insurance
companies, ensuring full compliance with agency requirements and tight
deadlines.
Author professional correspondence to customers and vendors.
Design and deliver series of classes for local businesses and associations,
providing ergonomic counseling and educating employees on proper lifting
techniques to avoid injury.
Conduct small-group sessions on meditation/relaxation techniques.
Communicate medical concepts to patients using layman's terms to facilitate
understanding.
Rapidly learn and master varied computer programs; recently completed
Microsoft Office Suite certificate course.
Customer Service/Marketing/Problem Solving
Oversee front-office operations and provide impeccable customer service:
--Built a clientele supported by 60% referral business.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
ATTWATER CHIROPRACTIC -- Colorado Springs, CO; Pueblo, CO; Cheyenne,
WY
Owner/Operator, 1997 to Present
LAKEVIEW RESTAURANT & CAF -- Minneapolis, MN
Waitress, 1994 to 1997
EDUCATION
NORTHWESTERN COLLEGE OF CHIROPRACTIC -- Minneapolis, MN
Doctor of Chiropractic Degree, 1997
Four-year advanced degree requiring 30-34 credit hrs. per quarter.
GPA: 3.89/4.0
Licensed to practice chiropractic in Colorado, Minnesota, Wyoming and
Montana.
BARTON COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE -- Great Bend, KS
Associate's Degree in Pre-chiropractic, 1993
GPA: 4.0/4.0

COMPUTER SKILLS
Microsoft Word
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft PowerPoint
Vision
Microsoft Access
Medisoft (Insurance Billing Software)
Available for relocation
567 Rosewood Lane | Colorado Springs, CO 81207 | (960) 5551212 | cattw@somedomain.com

Creating Electronic
Rsums
Scannable Rsum
scanners and
specialized
software

Online Rsum
uses links to other
screens

APPLICATION
Activity: Writing (SQ1)
This is an individual task.
Prepare the draft of your functional
rsum.