Before you deliver your job application letter, be sure you can make the following claims:
- I have read the job ad carefully and determined the specific goals and skills to highlight in my application letter.
- I have studied the company, so I know its background and needs.
- My letter follows a standard letter format and is correct in every detail of style, spelling and punctuation.
- I address my letter to a specific person and use the appropriate title.
- My opening paragraph identifies my source of information about the job, tells what job I am seeking and is tailored to the company.
- The middle paragraphs highlight my education and professional skills that fit the job. Each paragraph has a suitable topic sentence. The paragraphs build bridges between what I have learned and done, and what I can learn and do in the new context. I frame the contents of my letter according to PAR conventions.
- The closing paragraph motivates the reader to grant me an interview and makes it easy for the reader to contact me.
- The nouns and adjectives I use show awareness of the Goldilocks Strategy: Not too humble; not arrogant; just right.
- I use strong verbs to describe my experience, skills and activities.
- I have avoided “I poisoning” by starting at least two paragraphs with a word other than “I.”
