The Easy 10 Step Job Hunting Guide

by James C. Gonyea

STEP 7 - APPLY FOR EMPLOYMENT

In this step, your objective is to sell your talent to each potential employer. If a particular employer has publicly announced an opening for the kind of work that you desire, then you will actually “apply” for employment. Otherwise, your task is to “inquire” as to whether a position that you desire exists and, if so, present your qualifications.

Don't think that the process of applying for employment means that you are required to accept a job at a particular place of business. It doesn't. It simply means that you are interested in considering employment with a particular company. Therefore, the process of applying is a means by which you can begin that investigation. By applying for employment you are not bound to accept any offer made to you in return.

Directions for completing this step:

1. For each employer that has publicly advertised a position matching your desired job objective, prepare a letter of application and mail it, enclosed with a copy of your resume, to the person who has the power to hire you.

2. For each employer that has not publicly advertised a position matching your desired job objective, prepare a letter of inquiry and mail it, enclosed with a copy of your resume, to the person who has the power to hire you.

Note that both types of letters are essentially the same, the only difference is in one you indicate that you are applying for a position that has been advertised, whereas in the other you are inquiring about the possibility of employment.

Here again, there have been so many books written on the subject of employment cover letters that it is not necessary to duplicate that work here. Visit our Career Bookstore if you wish to purchase a copy of our job hunting books.

Regardless of which letter you use, there are two essential ingredients that must be included if you expect to successfully accomplish this step:

• First, you must clearly define your talent and how it can be of value to the employer (i.e. your employment value).

• Secondly, you must direct your letter to the person who has the power to hire you - usually the manager of the department in which you would work.

It goes without saying that your letter and resume must be professional in style. Make sure they contain no spelling or grammatical mistakes, and that they are typed on quality paper.

After mailing out your letters of application and inquiry, you are ready for the next step.

© 2001 James C. Gonyea.  All Rights Reserved
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