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UNDERGRADUATE

Responding to Advertised Openings

As you faithfully review position announcements in print and online, you will inevitably want to respond effectively, and writing a letter to accompany your resume is a must, even if the ad just says "Send resume", and regardless of how you send it, i.e. mail, fax, email. Before reading a model for such a letter and a few examples, read the following advice and keep them in mind as you formulate your responses.

Keys to Effective Response Letters | Letter Model | Example

+ Use proper letter formats (as shown in examples).

+ Type or wordprocess all letters. When you mail a resume, print them on the same kind of paper as your resume.

+ Keep most letters to one page unless your audience is known to be more "length-tolerant" (e.g. higher education, human services).

+ Analyze announcements first to find requirements and preferences to which you can refer when presenting positive aspects of your background. If details are minimal, try to call for more information or talk to colleagues and contacts to better understand the job.

+ Research typical positions in your field ahead so that if no details can be generated, you will still have a set of likely needs and expectations against which to offer your background.

+ Never mention short comings, even if the ad says the employer prefers things you don't have. Just stress your positive points without embellishments and let the reader decide whether you have enough to merit an interview.

+ If the employer is known, do some quick research and incorporate what you have found in the first paragraph. This may convince the employer of your genuine interest.

+ Don't forget to have someone critique and proofread your letters for errors. Your letters must be perfect!