The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1925-07-30
EXCURSIONS IN
CORRESPONDENCE
By THOMAS ARkLE CLARK
Dean of Men, University of Illinois.
The Letter of Application

v present ourselves, IN one way OF
another, as an applicant for a favor
or for a 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 l was the head of
an important department, l received
an application for a position from a
young fellow just graduating from a
w%ell-known college in New England.
1t was in some ways the best letter
of the sort that I had yer received.
1t told the conventional things that
one is supposed to tell in such a let
ter-age, training, experience-but it
told much more than this. 1t gave me
a very clear light insight into the
young mans character, his tempera-
ment. his pleasures, his r%ecreations,
and his ambitions. When | had read
it through, I felt that l knew him per-
sonally, and that he was just the sort
of man who would fit into the place
for which he was applying.
AS circumstances later developed, it
was not possible for him to take the
position, but his letter interested me
so much that | have ever since fol-
lowed 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
all over the country as n of the
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 mellifuously, fairly to estimate
ones W strong points without
prejudice or ex~aggeration. 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 t%ruthfully
estimate your own qualifications for
the position for which you are apply
ing" l said to him, eff you will write
out the things that you feel can, and
should be said about you in. such a
letter as you ask me to write, I shall
be glad to sign it,"
He went away with enthusiasm, but
he came back the next morning m
what depressed.
81 can't think of much to say he
said, that is true and that is greatly
to my credit"
1t is just such a task, however, as
I set the young man, that n has to
accomplish who writes a 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 fill
ing that position. What should a mar
say when making application for any
special position, or job?
He should first study the position
itself, and try inteligently to under
stand what is necessary to do well
the work involved. If he has had any
previous experience in the same sort
of work, and has proved himself
capable, this will not be difficult; if
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-
lions 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 a letter, a frank
ness that does not hesitate to admit a
lack of certain qualifications and a
willingness to be taught what is lack
ing.
81 have never had any experience
In selling the particular product
which you manufacture, nor do l yet
know its selling points," a young fell
low says who is applying for a posi-
ton as salesman for a certain firm,
"but l have had five years of expe-
rience In the selling game, and l 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
we'll 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 a long time,
ever get half Of what they earn. Be
satisfied at first to have q chance to
show what you can do, even if you
are paid little for it.
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