The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-03

Another woman who started at the same time made a heart-rending fail- ure of her attempt at earning a living She made no study of how or what to purchase arose late in the morning so that the days work had no com potent supervision, left the ordering to servants, or ordered by telephone and did not see the goods, bought in small quantities, and when she gave up wondered why she could not succeed where some others did. The reason was she was not trained for the work and did not try to become fitted for it. This is why so many fail in at- tempts at earning a livlihood.
 Whether one desires to become a teacher, stenographer, writer, insur- anee agent, librarian or any wage earner, one should remember that an apprenticeship of some ktnd is needed, either in school, office or where one can gain practical Knowledge. Con- stant study and vigilance meets its reward, In applying for a position, if one cannot meet the requirements the first move should be to study until one can. This may be done while pursuing other work or by deYoting all one's time to the study in hand.
 While a general knowledge Is inval- uable in all undertakings, women must realize that more and more, work Is becoming specialized, and success in any one direction usually means the study of one thing and the adaptation of general knowledge as an accessory to the main purpose. A stenographer with an excellent education obtains a better position than one with little but her technical knowledge of short hand, but both have to spend a period of time in which the attainment or proficiency in that line of work Is the main object. This Is not yhitten to decry general knowledge. but to em- phasize the fact that speciality now adays is what gains a livlihood, rath- CT than the diffuse knowledge that per- tains to several things and no one thing in particular
 No woman in these days can jump into earning her living. More and more 1t is apparent that she must train herself for some special vocation and then set about the right way to obtain the business or position. While women are entering the business world more freely, there is another side to the question. and this is that the i'm competency that years ago might be accepted because she is a wonman," now Is no more tolerated in woman than in a man. It behooves every woman, married or single, to have some idea of what she could do if thrown on her own resources for a Livelihood, and to prepare herself to meet the emergency if it presents it. self If one has skill in any one di- rection. it should be cultivated to the utmost. for some time 1t may produce a monetary value.
 'PIease tell me how to write a let ter of application for position. I do not know exactly how to formulate 1t or whether to enclose credentials. An answer will greatly obiige me- A good Proof Reader.
 If you find 1t necessary to apply by letter, you should remember that your letter may be one of many others whit ten people who desire the place. Therefore write it so 1t will bear ih- speetion and comparison. Only the l best of stationary should be used and l the letter should be neatly and con- cisely whitten, without being abrupt. Begin as you would any business let | ter. State that you desire to become l a candidate for such and such a place, state your age, educational advantages, experience in teaching or office work | in any line. and especially fin the line | in which Iou desire work. enclose tes- | timonials regarding your character and ability make offers of additional testimonials if desired, and of a per | sonal call, and enclose self-addresssd