1. Preparing Your Writing Assignment Business Letter Response to Employment Ad

2. Different from Academic or Memo/eMail Writing
Crisp and Succinct
Stresses Specificity and Accuracy
Allow use of personal pronouns
Slightly more formal than a memo / - but not as formal as academic writing
Though less formal, need to assure
content is clear
business wording not slang is used
contains no grammar / spelling errors

3. Understand Your Audience
Recruiter is initial reviewer of your business letter.
Assume he/she:
Has limited time - likely to skim.
Is interested in how it affects their working world.
Wants to know “bottom line” - point being made / response required.
Can be alienated if too formal, casual, personal.
Will toss if letter’s content is unclear or contains grammar/spelling/formatting errors.

4. Restate the Assignment
In this assignment you are to:
Review the employment ad for a Marketing Generalist
Write a letter to apply for the position.  
You are to assume you have all of the credentials stated in the ad
However, your only experience has been working in a fast food restaurant as a line cook.  

5. Reviewing Qualifications
Knowledge / Skills / Abilities
B2C = “Business to Consumer” for lead generation
Digital and traditional marketing
Writing & editing experience
Multi-tasking capability
Microsoft office suite and .html (web-based language)
Credentials
Bachelor degree – Marketing / Communication
Work Experience
0 – 2 yrs advertising / marketing / promotion

6. Reviewing The Company Company Name: Hovnanian Enterprises, Inc.
Headquarters: Red Bank, NJ
Business: Operates in 20 states
Home Builder - base prices range $46,000 to $2,350,000. Average $280,000.
Home Financing
Revenue: USD $1.9 billion (2013)
Employee Size: 1500
Publically traded / family controlled (Hovnanian)

7. Reviewing The Company 7th largest homebuilder in U.S.
Founded by Kevork Hovnanian in 1959
Delivered in excess of 310,000 homes since inception
206 active selling communities in 16 states
Diversified mix of housing products including entry-level, move- up and luxury homes, as well as attached townhomes, mid-rise and high-rise condos, and active-adult communities

8. Sample Letter

9. Let’s Create a Letter

10. Beginning of Letter Your Name Your Address Your City, State Zip Code
Date
Name of Person Hiring, Job Title
Name of Company
Company Address
City, State Zip Code

11. Actual Contact Your Name Your Address Your City, State Zip Code Date
Ms. Barbara Guida, National Recruiter
K Hovnanian Enterprises
110 W. Front Street
PO Box 500
Red Bank, NJ 07701

12. The Greeting GREETING: Use “Dear” Personalize name of recipient
Mr./Mrs. Smith
Ms. Smith: if marital status not known)

13. Introduction FIRST PARAGRAPH: State the reason for the letter
the specific position or type of work you are applying for
indicate from which source you learned of the opening. (media, newspaper, friend, employment service, etc.)

14. Express Interest & Ability
SECOND PARAGRAPH:
Tell why you are interested in the company, its products or services.
Emphasize your qualifications and the educational and work related experience that makes you a strong candidate for the position.
Remember – you have minimal direct experience, so briefly note any specific achievements or unique qualifications.

15. Activities, Skills & Interests
Activities (optional)—Were you a member of any clubs? What about other on- or off-campus organizations (e.g., fraternities, student publications, charitable groups, etc.)? Were you a member of any athletic teams? Were you elected or appointed as an officer of a club organization? Describe your accomplishments in the above activities.
Skills (optional)—What skills do you possess (e.g., language ability, computer skills, and other technical skills)?
Interests (optional)—What do you like to do outside of work and school? Are you a weekend athlete or a midnight Mozart? Be specific.

16. Ask for Interview FINAL PARAGRAPH:
Indicate your desire for a personal interview
Indicate your flexibility as to the time and place.
Provide a telephone number where you can be reached or where a message can be left.
Close with a statement or a question that will encourage a response.

17. The Closing CLOSING: Sincerely, Very truly yours, Respectfully yours,)
CLOSING:
Sincerely, Very truly yours, Respectfully yours,)
Your Signature (can scan the image or just use italics)
Print you Name

18. Grading Criteria Worth 15 points - Graded based on included rubric.
Clear and concise: (3 pts.) Make sure you are compelling and creative in making a good impression. You should do this without a lot of fluff. Business letter response to an ad is never more than 1 page.
Heading and Formatting (3 pts.) Based on what we reviewed.
Spelling and Grammar: (3 pts.)
Style and Tone: (3 pts.) Use of Active voice, first person singular or plural.
Content: (3 pts.) Stay focused on what to include based on our discussion.