The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-04-17
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EXCURSIONS I'm
CORRESPONDENCE
The Letter Of Application
by THOMAS ARKLE CLARK
Dean of Men, University of Illinois.

MOST of us before we die must
AVA present ourselves, in one way or
another, as an applicant for a favor,
or for job. Such application Is most
wisely done in person, but this is not
always possible. If it is done in writ
ing, as it must frequently be done,
it should be done well.
Years ago, when was the head OF
an important department, / received
an application for position from a
young fellow just graduating from a
well-known college in New England.
It was in some ways the best letter
of the sort that I had ever received.
It told the conventional things that
one is supposed to tell in such let
ter-age, training, experience--but it
told much more than this. 1t gave me
very clear light insight into the
young mans character, his tempera-
ment, his pleasures, his recreations,
and his ambitions. When had read
1t through, felt that knew him per-
sonally, and that he was just the sort
Of man who would at into the place
for which he was applying.
AS circumstances later developed, 1t
was not possible for him to take the
position, but his letter interested me
go much that / have ever since fol-
owed his career. He has gone stead
lily forward in his profession, he has
proved himself just what his letter.
written twenty years ago, indicated
he would do, and he is today known
leading men in the profession into
which he went. 1t is interesting to
see that he was able so clearly to
indicate his strength, and character,
and possibilities, in the letter which
he wrote so long ago.
1t is not easy to blow ones own
horn mellifiuously, fairly to estimate
ones own strong points without
prejudice or exaggeration. A young
man came to me not long ago to ask
me to write him a letter Of recon-
mendation.
IF you will carefully and truthfully
estimate your own qualifications for
the position for which you are apply
ing" l said to him, "if you will write
out the things that you feel can, eand
should be said about you in such
letter as you ask me to write, shall
be glad to sign it."
He went away with enthusiasm, but
he came back the next morning some
what depressed.
II can't think of much to say" he
said, "that is true and that is greatly
to my credit"
set the young man, that one has to
accomplish who writes letter of APP
plication. He is to ask for the posi-
tion-that is very simple-but in adj
dition to that, he Is so to present him
self as to seem to possess some spe-
cial qualifications, and fitness for I'LL
ing that position. What should a man
say when making application for any
special position, or job?
He should first study the position
itself, and try intelligently to, under
stand what is necessary to do well
i
previous experience in the same sort
Of work, and has proved himself
capable, this will. not be difficult; IL
he is without experience, then his task
is greater. Having determined what
the necessary qualifications are, he
should study himself to determine
how fully he meets the requirements
which he has decided are necessary
Your experience, your education,
your personal history, most people
who consider employing you, would
like to know. Where you have been,
what you have done during your vaca-
tions while you were in school or col
lege, if you have had such an expe-
rience, should be told, and the names
and addresses Of the people for whom.
you have worked. are good things to
include.
Frankness is'an excellent quality to
be revealed in such letter, a frank
ness that does not hesitate to admit a
lack of certain qualifications and
willingness to be taught what is lack
ing.
II have never had any experience
in selling the particular product
which you manufacture, nor do / yet
know its selling points," young fell
low says who is applying for a posi-
ton as salesman for certain firm,
but l have had five years of expe-
rience in the selling game, and / am
pretty sure that human nature is not
different, whether one is trying to
sell tractors or fountain pens"
A young fellow starting into a new
position, is too often concerned with
what he is going to receive, rather
than with what he is to give. 1t is
well to remember that opportunity to
show his ability, and to prove his
worth is. usually, Of more value to a
young fellow, than his initial salary.
Few people starting into any business,
ever earn their salaries, and fewer
still who have been at it long time,
ever get half Of what they earn. Be
satisfied at first to have chance to