Job Search Letters For Dummies

Chapter 15

Language That Snap-Crackle-Pops

In This Chapter

Pepping up your words

Selling yourself with style

Reaching into a grammar first-aid kit

I once asked a friend who writes and publishes career books whether he genuinely likes to write. “Well, no,” he responded, “I like to have written.”

That sentiment sums up everything for many who do almost anything to avoid writing but who know that they can’t escape this lifetime without learning to write certain things — self-promotional job letters are some of those things.

Armed with the pointers on language, grammar, and organization included in this chapter, you will be well on your way to writing an awesome job search letter.

Refreshing Your Language

Make the writing task easier for yourself not only by reviewing a few rules of grammar, but also by reminding yourself to answer the big “So why?” and “So what?” questions in every letter.

So why are you writing?

Never assume that the purpose of your letter is obvious to your reader. You are writing a job search letter — or another type of job doc — ultimately aimed at employment or career growth.

 Visualize your audience

As you work to get the right razzle dazzle into your cover ...