Saturday, April 23, 2005

Inday Tikay's Practical Tips for Job-seekers! {",

Essentials of a Good Application Letter and other Tips:

1. Always use paper made of good material.( Avoid onion-skin and newsprint, pls.)

2. Write the letter yourself...remember, if your speaking/verbal proficiency does not 'match' your writing skills, this will say much about your sincerity and credibility.

3. Use only one side of the paper (not back-to-back, pls.)

4. Address the application letter appropriately: ideally, to the 'receiving officer' (one who makes the decisions whether to hire or not), or to the Human Resources Officer. Pls make the effort to find out the full name and address of the company, and the CORRECT spelling and title/designation of the person you are addressing your letter to.

5. Type the letter NEATLY and observe proper margins: normally there should be more margin at the bottom than at the top.

6. Arrange your paragraphs systematically; be concise, yet, 'interesting' and if you're working, NEVER use your company's letter head for your application letter.

7. Write a letter that stimulates enough interest and curiousity and creates a desire in the employer to see you personally.

8. 'Sound' friendly and courteous in your letter...this induces a feeling of goodwill and friendliness in the prospective employer.

9. Be honest, yet, modest in writing about your qualifications --- without boasting or under-rating.

10. Observe basic rules in grammar, spelling and punctuation in writing your letters ALWAYS.

11. Your letter should describe YOURSELF, your personality, and should be specific. The descriptions you write should not apply to any other person who may have similiar qualifications or experience, or to someone you 'wish you were'.

12. Be brief, without losing facts at the cost of brevity: highlight your strengths and 'assets' whilst honestly admitting your 'weak points' (i.e., undergraduate, underboard, few or no work experience) and assuring the prospective employer that you are willing to learn and willing to be trained.

13. Use headings, capital words and underline important words and phrases to highlight your application. (Remember, the one reading your letter may not have the luxury of time.)

14. Show your confidence in being able to handle the job efficiently through your letter's tone.

15. Give your reason for wanting to leave your current employer, without resorting to making remarks that may create unfavorable reaction from the reader, or which might be misconstrued or misunderstood.

16. Use only envelopes made of good material, and ideally, it should 'match' the material of your letter.

17. Never use carbon copies or mass-produced/photocopied letters...make the effort to write each letter separately, and send only original copies.

18. Apply for a job for which you believe you possess the required qualifications and where you may be interested, even remotely. ( Do not waste time applying for a position/job for which you know you are not qualified for, or are not interested in.)

19. Prepare yourself for any interviews you might have to appear in and try to go through each interview with an open mind. Every interview adds to your wisdom and experience; there is always something new to learn, and these information/experiences may help you finally get a good job subsequently.

20. Looking for a job is like 'selling yourself"...so the way you 'package yourself' could very well make or break your success!

Trust in what you can do, in what you can achieve and in what you can contribute/share...yet, always be humble in admitting that yes, there is still so much out there that needs to be learned, and to be unlearned!

GOOD-LUCK, Kapamilya!!! {",

* if you want your resume's/CV's assessed/edited/'corrected', or for more advise on related matters (how to conduct yourself during interviews, what to/not to wear during interviews, etc), please feel free to email us at

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