Why Writing a Good Business Letter Builds Your Credibility

If You Want to Be Taken Seriously, Writing Format is Important

Curtis Carper
Hi Joe, I found your name on the web and decided to email and see if your hiring. How fast can I find the Delete button. In today's more informal world many have forgotten the importance of putting your best foot forward when making "First Contact" with another party in the business world.

Going out of style about the same time as typewriters disappeared from the list of required subjects taught in High School, learning how to properly format a business correspondence has almost become a lost art among the younger people entering the job market.

The clean crispness of a properly formatted business letter tells the recipient a number of things about the sender.

1. The sender is acknowledging the position or status of the recipient. You wouldn't speak to the CEO of a corporate giant in the same manner as your next door neighbor. Treating all business contacts in a professional manner is just common courtesy.

2. The sender is interested in presenting themselves as one worthy of the same respect they are giving the recipient. Unless you like the image of an amateur, worth hardly an initial glimpse before being sent through the shredder, taking the time to correctly layout your letter is a critical step to success.

3. A good business correspondence indicates an acceptable level of education. It even indicates a level of intelligence that might be required in many instances.

There are a number of resources on line to get you started in writing good Business Letters. All it takes is a little effort on your part and you'll be amazed at the results you will see in the future.

By following the correct layout you are providing a way for the recipient to acknowledge who the letter is coming from, as your name and address are at the top of the page. If you use a reference line, the subject matter displayed will have the reader in tune before they even read the first line. By closing appropriately the due respect will be shown to the reader, as it will most likely be returned to the writer.

The properly formatted business letter is the perfect package for getting your information or point delivered to the correct person while providing all the necessary information to assure you will receive proper acknowledgment in return.

A Win, Win situation for everyone concerned.

Sincerely,

Curtis Carper (Author)

Published by Curtis Carper

Semi-retired, part time want-a-be journalist who is thrilled to have developed a small but devoted following.   View profile

2 Comments

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  • 3lilangels 10/10/2008

    Super indeed!

  • Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez 10/10/2008

    Curtis, this is super! This is good practical advice that, in today's rough job market, may help some job-seekers shine above the competition. Besides, writing a good business letter just feels downright satisfying....

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