There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to job applications. Depending on the position you are applying for, your objective, and the resources available to you, you may or may not want to tailor your approach. This article will discuss when and why you may not want to use a conservative style for writing your job application letter.
In General, A Modest Approach Is Best
While it is always best to be as concise as possible, sometimes a bit of detail can go a long way. The key, however, is to keep it relevant to the position you are applying for. If you are applying for a Marketing job and are using a sales style, your objective might be to close the deal and not to explain in great detail how you plan on achieving that. Your approach might be a little too aggressive and could put your foot in your mouth. You don’t want to come off as cocky or over-confident. Your ability to demonstrate your confidence will speak volumes about your competence and ability to get the job done.
Avoid Overuse Of Prepositions
As a general rule, avoid overuse of prepositions in your writing. If you are applying for an accounting position and used “a”, “an”, or “the” too often, the hiring manager might assume you are using the wrong words just to fill the space. You don’t want to put yourself in that situation where there is a misunderstanding later on down the line. When possible, avoid unnecessary complexity and use simpler, more direct language when writing your job application.
Use Modern Contractions
In formal writing, using contracted words can improve your flow and make your writing sound more authoritative. Even when writing in an informal setting, such as a letter to a friend, you can use modern contractions to make your letters sound more contemporary. Avoid using “you’ll”, “yourself”, or “there” as much as possible as these are all outdated, antiquated words that you should not be using in contemporary writing. There are dozens of such words that you should never use in formal contexts and can find a list of them in the Cambridge Dictionary. You can also find a longer list of contractions here. There is no need to be shy about experimenting with contractions when applying for jobs. After all, you will be writing to someone you have never met before and might not even like. Why not throw away the formality and write how you naturally speak?
Omit The Semicolon
In the olden days, we used to use the semicolon (;) to connect independent clauses in a sentence. These days, we typically omit the semicolon and instead just use a period (.) at the end of the independent clause. It is best not to use the semicolon if you can avoid it because the period is just as effective as the semicolon and it is much easier to follow along if you don’t use any punctuation at all. In other words, don’t be afraid to go “PG” (plain and simple).
Keep It Short And Sweet
While you don’t want to write a short, rambling letter, you also don’t want to write a boring letter. There are several tips and tricks for keeping your letters interesting and sweet. One such trick is to write the letter against a specific word or phrase that you are trying to get across. As the letter writer, you can then shape your letter around this word or phrase. For example, if you are writing to apply for an accounting position and you want to stress your ability to be a team player, you might want to write the letter against the word “team”. In doing so, you will be able to tie your ability to be a team player back to your resume and cover letter, making your application stand out.
While writing a job application letter, you should never use a rigid formula. Instead, you should write the letter as you would speak to the person you are applying to. Use your own words and phrases, and tailor your approach to fit the specific needs of the position you are applying for. With a little bit of creativity and some common sense, you will have a successful letter writing experience, landing you an interview and a successful career.