When applying for your job back after being laid off, there are a few things you need to think about. One thing is the format of the letter you will write. There are a few standard formats you can use, but you don’t want to limit yourself to only one because there are some benefits to using various formats.
Here, we’ll discuss the different formats you can use when writing a letter to ask for your job back and which one you should avoid. We’ll also discuss some of the benefits of each format so you can make the right decision about which one to use when applying for your job back.
Traditional Letter
This is the most common format and the one most people are used to reading. A traditional letter is composed of a few basic elements:
- A formal introduction
- The reason for the letter
- The writer’s qualifications
- The writer’s offer
- The closing
These elements can be found in most any good business letter and they are easy to follow if you’re writing by hand. However, you need to bear in mind that this isn’t a template you can simply copy and paste into your letter. Each application for employment should be unique and it should reflect the candidate’s particular strengths. This is why it is important to develop a style which is unique to you and only you.
The Benefits Of A Handwritten Letter
Letters that are handwritten by the letter writer have several benefits. First, they are easy to read. Since they were not produced using a typewriter, they are more likely to contain less typos and spelling errors. Also, a handwritten letter makes it much easier for the recipient to recognize the source of the letter. This is important because often times letters aren’t delivered personally and when they are, they are sometimes confused with bills or surveys. Lastly, a handwritten letter has the opportunity to be much more personal. The writer has the option of adding drawings, photos, or diagrams which can help make their point more clear.
The Pitfalls Of A Handwritten Letter
Like any other element of your job search, you need to be careful about the benefits and the pitfalls of a handwritten letter. One of the main disadvantages is that it can be difficult to put a date on when the letter was written. This makes it hard to prove when the letter was actually delivered. In some cases, the recipient may not get the letter for several months after it was written. This problem can be avoided by having the letter officially notarized. Another disadvantage of a handwritten letter is that it is typically less efficient. Since letters were once mainly composed of words, ideas, and spelling errors, they were frequently repeated. To save time, most people nowadays simply type up their letters and save them as emails. This may not be a bad thing, but it is something to keep in mind.
The Traditional Email
The traditional email has become incredibly popular over the past few years and it is now used more than ever before. A traditional email is composed of a few basic elements:
- A formal introduction
- A short, concise summary of the reason for the email
- The motivation of the writer
- The offer
- The closing
- Pricing
- Reference
These elements can be found in most any good business email and they are easy to follow if you’re writing by hand. The main difference between a traditional letter and a traditional email is that the latter is composed entirely of digital content which can be easily shared with anyone who has access to the email. This makes it much easier to disseminate the information contained within the email. In addition, the format can be edited and refined before it is sent. This is also extremely beneficial because it means that many emails can be composed and sent off without having to go back and revise a previous version. Another unique benefit of a traditional email is that it can be customized with different colored fonts, different background colors, and even images in place of the text. The text itself can also be made bold or italicized. The best part is that all of this can be done without having to leave the email program you’re already using.
The Benefits Of An Email
Letters that are composed entirely of words, ideas, and spelling errors do have their perks. One of the main benefits of an email is that it is easily sharable. With the assistance of tools like Office 365 and Gmail, it is now possible to email a document and have it automatically distributed to the appropriate recipients. In some instances, this can be a significant time-saver. In addition to being sharable, an email can be stored and re-used in the event that the original letter is not found. This can be hugely beneficial because as frustrating as losing a job can be, it is sometimes unavoidable and there is nothing more disappointing than being unable to locate a formal letter you’d written a few months earlier. Emails can be used to store important contacts, references, and other information which would be difficult to misplace due to their transient nature.
The Pitfalls Of An Email
As with any other element of your job search, you need to be careful about the benefits and the pitfalls of an email. One of the main disadvantages of an email is that it can become outdated quickly. As previously discussed, letters were once mainly words and they were frequently revised. This frequently resulted in the need to revise previously sent emails. Even now, it is not uncommon for people to still send letters by mail even though they could easily send an email.
The Confidential Letter
A confidential letter is a type of letter which is meant to be shared only between the letter writer and the recipient. A confidential letter is composed of a few basic elements:
- A formal introduction
- The reason for the letter
- The writer’s qualifications
- The writer’s offer
- The closing
- The content is private and only for the eyes of the recipient. It cannot be distributed to anyone else without the consent of both the writer and the recipient.
To prevent any misunderstandings, it is worth noting that a confidential letter cannot simply be labeled as such. Instead, you’ll need to actually use the words “Confidential”, “Private”, or a similar term to indicate that the letter is meant to be viewed by only a select group of people. While there is no hard and fast rule when it comes to the number of recipients, it is best to err on the side of caution and only send the letter to people you absolutely trust.
What Should You Use To Format Your Letter?
Once you’ve decided which type of letter you will use, you will need to figure out how to format it. There are a few standard formats you can use, but you don’t want to limit yourself to only one because there are some benefits to using various formats.
Here, we’ll discuss the different formats you can use when writing a letter to ask for your job back and which one you should avoid.
The Formal Letter
This is the most common format and the one most people are used to reading. A formal letter is composed of a few basic elements:
- A formal introduction
- The reason for the letter
- The writer’s qualifications
- The writer’s offer
- The closing
- Pricing
- Reference
These elements can be found in most any good business letter and they are easy to follow if you’re writing by hand. However, you need to bear in mind that this isn’t a template you can simply copy and paste into your letter. Each application for employment should be unique and it should reflect the candidate’s particular strengths. This is why it is important to develop a style which is unique to you and only you.
The Presentation Letter
A presentation letter is similar to a formal letter in that it is also composed of a few basic elements: