The block format on business letters is the easiest to read.
You may need to write a business letter to express your thanks, follow up after an interview or meeting, congratulate an employee, or to use as a simple reminder. When writing a business letter, use 8-1/2" by 11" white paper and a 1" margin on all sides. Business letters should be single spaced and typed on a computer. Make sure your letter has the following features: return address, date of letter, name and address of recipient, salutation, body of letter, closing and enclosure.
Application Letter
The goal for writing this letter is to attract the recipient’s attention and to get a job interview, by marketing your skills, abilities and knowledge. Your application should identify the job title and how you heard about it, summarize your qualifications for the job, refer the reader to your resume, ask for an interview and include any information relevant to the job that is not on your resume.
State your objective at the beginning of the letter in order to save your reader time. If an employee, company or career counselor referred you to this job, state that before your objective. In the following paragraphs, provide details on your qualifications. Highlight your experience on your resume by explaining any jobs or projects you handled. Close the letter by requesting an interview.
Cover Letter
A cover letter and application letter is not the same thing. A cover letter is like a letter of transmittal; it tells the recipient who sent the resume, who it was sent to, and the reason why it was sent. It also serves as a record of the transmittal. Your cover letter should be brief. Use your opening to explain what you are sending and why you are sending it. In the second paragraph, include a summary of the document you are sending. The letter could go on to explain briefly why you would be a great asset to the company. Only use one or two key points to state your reasoning.
Letter of Recommendation
You may have to write a letter of recommendation for a friend, employee or coworker. The format is still the same for letters of recommendation: your name and address, date of letter, recipient’s name and address, salutation, body and closing. Before the salutation, you should write "RE: Letter of Recommendation for" and the person’s name. Get to the point in your letter; provide reasons and examples why the person would benefit the company. Explain the person’s position and responsibilities and how long she worked for your company. Close your letter by stating why you would recommend this person. You can use this section to reiterate what you said or by providing one or two supporting details.
