Page 169 - DENG101_Communication Skills-I

Communication Skills

Notes However, there are important differences too and I will summarize them in the following
points:
1. The commodity being offered for sale in an application is an individual’s work ability and
therefore the transaction is much more important.

2. A professional occupies a position of responsibility within an organization while a product
fulfils a need or requirement . To that extent the two have to be sold differently.

3. While a sales letter is of limited consequence in an organization’s life , an employment
application is much more important in the life of an applicant or organization.

15.1 Solicited vs Unsolicited Applications

Like other types of business letters, applications can be divided into two categories-solicited
applications and unsolicited applications. Solicited applications are sent in response to job
advertisements, while unsolicited applications are sent at the writer’s initiative. In both cases

the writer is supposed to give all relevant details of his qualifications, experience, etc. A solicited
application, however, has direct relevance to the job advertised and its contents are thus tuned to
the requirements of the solicitor.

An unsolicited application is also directed to a particular job/position in an organization but
because the application has gone unrequested, it does not know what are the exact requirements
it is supposed to meet. Instead of responding to the individual organization’s requirements
therefore, such an application responds to the general requirements of the position or category
towards which it is addressed.

15.2 Application Formats

On the basis of their formats or ways of presentation, applications for employment can be divided
into the following categories:
1. Application letters, or letter-style applications;

2. Applications enumerating the particulars of the applicant’s qualifi cations, etc.
3. Applications in the form of covering letters accompanying résumé’s;
4. Applications on prescribed forms.

15.3 Letters of Application

Like all effective business letters, letters of application or letter style applications have to be
carefully planned. After all they have a serious purpose. A sales letter earns business but an
application letter is supposed to be the first positive step towards a career or a better job. It is,

therefore, to be kept in mind that much will depend on the impression the application letter

makes on the mind of the recruitment officer or the authorities concerned.
!
Caution The essential points the Recruitment offi cer or the concerned authorities will want
to know are:
1. The precise job you are applying for. The company may have advertised several
different vacancies at the same time. Not only may it have accompanyingly advertised
for the post of a clerk and an officer, it may have advertised for different kind of clerks

and offi cers.

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