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Sample Job Search Correspondence For Students in the School of Social Policy & Practice 
Contents
A targeted and well-written cover letter is key to getting from the paper stage to the interview stage. Cover letters should always be sent to a specific person rather than a generic “Sir or Madam,” or “To Whom It May Concern.” It is well worth taking the extra step to find out the name of the specific contact person. Make sure you spell check and proof read carefully. Cover letters should be limited to one page and usually follow the following format: 1st Paragraph: 2nd Paragraph: 2nd or 3rd Paragraph: Final Paragraph: June 28, 2005 Ms. Jane Doe Dear Ms. Doe:
I am writing to introduce myself to you as a newcomer to the Dallas area. The Dallas Times recently ran an article about the new rehabilitation program at ABC Hospital which sounded particularly interesting to me. I am seeking a social work position within the medical community, assisting patients and their families, manage the problems that accompany illness, recovery and rehabilitation. In the event that you are going to be hiring new staff for this program, I would like to be considered for any open position.
As indicated in my enclosed resume, I hold an MSW from the University of Pennsylvania with a specialization in health care and have had experience within health care settings in a variety of roles, including counselor, advocate and educator. Toward the development of these skills I took the initiative to design my own undergraduate academic program. Course work in health care systems in conjunction with a hospital-based internship as a patient representative, facilitated the development of my professional understanding and competencies even at an undergraduate level.
In my most recent position, while earning my Master's degree, I was fortunate to unite personal and professional interests through my involvement with cardiac rehabilitation patients. Whether I remain involved with this specialty, or work with the broad population of health care recipients, I am most eager to utilize my knowledge, skills and values towards the humanization of medical care delivery.
Thank you for the time spent reviewing my resume. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you personally. I will call you the week of July 10 to see whether we can arrange a mutually convenient time for a personal interview. Thank you. Sincerely, Beth Bradley Enclosure
123 North 5th Street March 23, 2005 Ms. Jane Doe, Executive Director Dear Ms. Doe:
I am writing to introduce myself to you at the suggestion of Dr. Howard Carter. Dr. Carter informed me of the position you are developing to serve the foster care needs of children with learning disabilities. In May, I will graduate from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master of Social Work degree and I am seeking a position which will incorporate my desire to work with children with learning disabilities and my interest in the foster care system. Although I know the position you are developing is in the preliminary stage, I wanted to let you know that I am extremely interested in learning more about this position.
As indicated on my resume, my first year field placement was with a foster care agency. In this position I developed case management and referral skills and an understanding of the foster care system. My current field placement is in a private school for children with learning disabilities. My roles include counselor, group leader, advocate, administrator and teacher. I have seen the difficulties these children face (even with a supportive family) and am extremely motivated to work with others whose situations are compounded by a lack of parental/family support.
Knowing that your agency is developing a special program for these children, and given my background, I certainly hope that we can meet to discuss potential employment opportunites. I will contact you the week of April 5th to see if we can arrange a mutually convenient time for an informational interview. If you wish to contact me in the meantime, I may be reached at (215) 898-4381. Thank you in advance for reviewing my credentials; I look forward to speaking with you soon. Sincerely, Beth Bartlett Enclosure
In addition to writing thank you letters, it is also standard practice to send a letter when you accept a position and when you've decided that you no longer wish to be considered (see samples on the following pages). None of the letters need to be long and elaborate - the vital thing is to write a well-written letter and to send it immediately after your interview. Content Address the letter to the person who initially invited you for the interview. If you saw more than one person, you can write to each of them, or refer to them in your letter to the primary interviewer. Mention the title of the position for which you interviewed.
If you are interested in the position, express your enthusiasm and reiterate your desire for the job and your qualifications for it. You may want to add information or materials (such as reference letters) that enhance your candidacy. You may also refer to the discussion which occurred in the interview. Basically, you want to express thanks for the time the employer spent with you. You may also mention the date you expect to hear from them.
If you are not interested, you can still express appreciation for being considered and for the courtesy extended to you. If you can imagine no circumstances under which you would accept the position, you should not continue with the process. Thus, if you've decided to withdraw yourself from the applicant pool, this would be a good time to put that in writing. Try to give a reason for your withdrawal that will leave you on good terms with the interviewer. March 4, 2005 Dr. Jane Jones, Director of Languages Dear Dr. Jones:
I sincerely enjoyed meeting with you yesterday and learning more about the School Social Worker position at George Washington High School. Our conversation confirmed my interest in becoming part of your staff.
It was particularly exciting to discover the level of support which is provided by the Parent Teachers Association. As I mentioned, my focus in working with my clients has always included a look at the family as a whole. This becomes especially true when students are having difficulty in school. I feel confident that my graduate school experiences both from the classroom and field placements would enable me to effectively meet the challenges of this job.
Please extend my thanks to Dr. Smith and to Mr. Johnson for their efforts in making my visit so pleasant. Sincerely, Susan Backhaus
551 Germantown Pike July 7, 2005 Mr. Jonathan Porter, Senior Associate Dear Mr. Porter:
I would like to thank you for interviewing me for the Program Manager position. Unfortunately, I must withdraw my name from the list of applicants. As we discussed, at this point in my career I find it necessary to be pursuing a position with more supervisory potential. I hope that you will keep me in mind if such a position becomes available. Thank you for considering me for this position. Sincerely, Dorothy Miles
788 Corrine Drive August 5, 2005 Mr. Jonathan Porter, Senior Associate Dear Mr. Porter:
I am extremely excited to be joining the Philadelphia Health Management Corporation staff as a Program Manager. Based on our conversation at the interview I feel confident that this will be a challenging and stimulating environment in which to continue my career.
As per our discussion, I understand that the salary for this job is $30,000. I will begin work on August 27, 2005 and look forward to speaking with you more then. Sincerely, Dorothy Miles |
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