Business Letter

Definition of Letter

A letter is a written message from one party to another containing information. Letters guarantee the preservation of communication between both parties. They bring friends or relatives closer together, enrich professional relationships and provide a satisfying mean of self-expression. Letters contribute to the protection and conservation of literacy, which is the ability to write and read. Letters have been sent since antiquity and are mentioned in the Iliad  by Homer (lived around 7th or 8th centuries B.C.). Works by both Herodotus and Thucydides, also mention letters.

1.    Application Letter

A letter of application, also known as a cover letter, is a document sent with your resume to provide additional information on your skills and experience.

The letter of application is intended to provide detailed information on why are you are qualified for the job you are applying for. Effective application letters explain the reasons for your interest in the specific organization and identify your most relevant skills or experiences.

Your application letter should let the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up.

What to Include in a Letter of Application

When writing an application letter you should include:

Subject (for an email letter)
List the job you are applying for and your name in the Subject Line of your email message, so the employer is clear as to what job you are interested in and who you are.

Greeting
Begin your letter greeting with "Dr./Mr./Ms. Last Name." If you do not know the employer's last name, simply write "Dear Hiring Manager" or leave the greeting off the letter and start with the first paragraph.

Body of Letter

• First Paragraph: Why you are writing - mention the job you are applying for and where you found the listing.
• Middle Paragraph(s): What you have to offer the employer - mention why your skills and experience are a good fit for the job.
• Last Paragraph: Say thank you to the hiring manager for considering you and note how you will follow up.

Signature
End your cover letter with your signature, handwritten, followed by your typed name.

When you submit your resume, you will typically need to write a cover letter as well. Since it is a formal letter, there are set guidelines for what information to include in your cover letter.
The following cover letter format lists the information you need to include in the cover letter you submit with your resume. Since a cover letter is a formal letter, it's important to adhere to these formatting standards.
Use the guideline below to create customized cover letters to send to employers. Then, review cover letter samples, a cover letter template, and tips for formatting hard copy and email cover letters you can use to write your own letters.

Cover Letter Format

Your Contact Information
Name
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Phone Number
Email Address
Date
Employer Contact Information (if you have it)
Name
Title
Company
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Salutation
Dear Mr./Ms. Last Name,

• Cover Letter Greeting Examples: Note: If you do not have a contact name, you can skip the salutation entirely. Or, you can use Dear Hiring Manager, To Whom It May Concern, or one of the other examples listed in the link. Ideally, you will be able to address your cover letter to a specific person. Doing research can help you figure out who is the most appropriate person to receive the letter. Note: If you do not know the gender of your contact, you can write out the person's full name, e.g., "Dear Cory Smith"or "Dear Jordan Parish."

Body of Cover Letter
The body of your cover letter lets the employer know what position you are applying for, why the employer should select you for an interview, and how you will follow-up. Organize the body of your cover letter into the following paragraphs:

• First Paragraph
  The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the position you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one.

• Middle Paragraph(s)
  The next section of your cover letter should describe what you have to offer the employer. Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. Think of this section of the cover letter as where you're making a pitch for your fit as an employee and show makes you a great candidate. Keep in mind that employers will be more interested in what you can do for them, than a list of your background. Make the connection between your qualifications and the job requirements clear. Use this section to interpret your resume—don't repeat from it verbatim.

• Final Paragraph
  Conclude your cover letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow-up. Optionally, you can briefly restate why you would be a good fit for the position.

Example of Application Letter

Zsazsa Novia
8 Sue Circle
Smithtown, CA 08067
909-555-5555
zsazsa259@gmail.com

January 13, 2015

George Gilhooley
XYZ Company
87 Delaware Road
Hatfield, CA 08065

Dear Mr. Gilhooley,

I am writing to apply for the programmer position advertised in the Times Union. As requested, I am enclosing a completed job application, my certification, my resume, and three references.

The opportunity presented in this listing is very interesting, and I believe that my strong technical experience and education will make me a very competitive candidate for this position. The key strengths that I possess for success in this position include:

·                     I have successfully designed, developed, and supported live use applications

·                     I strive for continued excellence

·                     I provide exceptional contributions to customer service for all customers

With a BS degree in Computer Programming, I have a full understanding of the full life cycle of a software development project. I also have experience in learning and excelling at new technologies as needed.

Please see my resume for additional information on my experience.

I can be reached anytime via email at john.donaldson@emailexample.com or my cell phone, 909-555-5555.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you about this employment opportunity.

Sincerely,

[tanda tangan]

Zsazsa Novia

2.    Inquiry Letter

           Inquiry Letter is a letter written to request information and/or ascertain its authenticity. A letter of inquiry deals with various matters like job vacancies, funding, grants, scholarships, projects, sales, pre-proposals and others. The term is common in various business setups as it implies fund request or pre-proposal information. Owing to this usage, the term may be considered exclusive to these setups alone. But that is not the case, to this effect the below definition offers a justified meaning.

·         Inquiry Letter Definition

       A document requesting information sent on behalf of an individual or an organisation for their own respective purposes, which can be mutually beneficial to the recipient and the sender.

The term ‘Inquiry’ is same as ‘Enquiry’. The former is more commonly used in U.S. and the latter one is more common in U.K. There are some other terms which represent the letters; these are Letter of Intent, Letter of Interest, Query letter, Prospecting Letter, Pre-proposal Letter and Concept Paper. The term ‘Cover Letter’, ‘Business Letter’, ‘Request Letter’ and ‘Sales Letter’ is also applied to an inquiry letter especially when the objective is same as that of letter for inquiry.

       A letter of inquiry serves to facilitate business operations and satisfaction of the sender. Inquiry letters remove any misunderstanding and are time savers, especially when two parties want to reach an understanding. The communication towards this effect resolves the issue without any delay. With relation to it being a ‘Pre-proposal letter’, the inquiry letter is also termed as a ‘Condensed Version of a Proposal’. It is the outcome of the purpose of the letter which highlights the points of a proposal instead of a full-fledged proposal.

       On an individual’s basis, these letters are sent to companies that are willing to hire but haven't advertised job openings. It can also be a letter addressed to editor in-charge of a publication proposing certain literary work. It can be a letter from a student who is vying for a seat in a college or a business that provides an internship. So, the objective of an enquiry letter is same but its projections and audiences are different. Same goes for its method of delivery, it can be sent via paper mail or electronic mail.

Your Street Address
City, State Zip Code
Telephone Number
Email Address
Month, Day, Year
Mr./Ms./Dr. FirstName LastName
Title
Name of Organization
Street or P. O. Box Address
City, State Zip Code
Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. LastName:
Opening paragraph: State what position you are inquiring about; how you learned of the organization or position, and when you will be qualified for the position.
2nd paragraph: Tell why you are interested in the position or type of work the employer does (Simply stating that you are interested does not tell why, and can sound like a form letter). Demonstrate that you know enough about the position by relating your background to the employer or position and mention specific qualifications which make you a good fit for the employer's needs. This is an opportunity to explain in more detail relevant items in your resume. Refer to the fact that your resume is enclosed. Mention other enclosures if such are required to apply for a position.
3rd paragraph: Indicate that you would like the opportunity to talk with the employer to learn more about their opportunities or hiring plans. Restate briefly why you're so passionate about the opportunity you're applying for. State that you would be glad to provide the employer with any additional information needed. Thank the employer for her/his consideration.
Sincerely,
(Your handwritten signature)
Your name typed

Example of  Inquiry Letter

15 January 2011(2)

The Sales Manager,
Melody Modes Ltd.,
Carrham, Upminster UE12.(3)

Your Ref: KPS/C3, Our Ref: Con/13/1(4)

Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter of 12 January regarding our conference facilities for your sales convention in July this year.(5)
I have pleasure in enclosing our current conference brochure and tariff. You will note that we offer a variety of venues inside the hotel itself, for groups of between 20 and 150 people, with a choice of catering facilities and with or without accommodation. This year we are also able to arrange functions in marquees in the hotel grounds, with a more limited range of catering, but again with or without hotel accommodation.
We have two lecture rooms, with audiovisual equipment – overhead projectors and video and DVD facilities – which might be of interest to you. There are also product display facilities within the hotel.
If you require all or some of your delegates to be accommodated in the hotel, I recommend early booking, as July is one of our peak months. We offer 4-star accommodation, every room with en suite facilities, minibar, television, personal safe, trouser press. We have two restaurants, four bars, a fully equipped gymnasium, and an indoor/outdoor swimming pool.(6)
I look forward to hearing from you further, and I shall be happy to supply any additional information you might require; you will be very welcome to visit the hotel to see for yourself the facilities we offer.(7)

Yours faithfully,

Hector Manning
General Manager(8)

3.    Complaint Letter

             A letter of complaint, or complaint letter, is normally written to deal with a problem situation when other attempts (i.e. phone contacts, e-mails, etc.) have failed to rectify the situation.

The complaint letter formalizes a problem situation by putting it into writing and is usually the last resort to try to get a situation resolved.

Properly written complaint letters can be very powerful and almost always get results, making them worth writing. To read an article on the subject of writing effective complaint letters.

Example of  Complaint Letter

4.Purchase Order Letter

                A letter of order is a document that confirms the details of a purchase of goods or services from one party to another. It usually includes more information about what you are ordering, like quantity, model number, or color, the payment terms, and the matter in which the products are to be shipped. When the recipient receives this letter, they will process the order and send the merchandise.

• Order Letter Definition

       An “Order” is an expense for the person placing the order and an income for the one getting it. But this is not all. The company that bags the order has to fulfill lot of commitments to ensure that it has a satisfied customer, which can be an individual or another company. Timely delivery of the order, quality of delivery and after sale service – are all part and parcel of getting an order.

      An Order Letter is the one that is written by the person/company placing the request of purchase from another company. This letter comes into action only when a detailed study of the desired product has been done in the market and based on promised service, quality and price of the product, a decision for a purchase has been made.

     An Order Letter should be drafted very carefully as it needs to pen down all the terms and conditions of the purchase for the benefit of both involved parties. It should have details such as product specifications, quantities, price agreed upon, delivery date, late delivery clauses, etc. It should be addressed to the person responsible for the execution of the order with a copy to the head of department. Since it is totally an official letter it should be typed.

      A Purchase order letter is written by the company that wishes to place an order of products or services to the receiving company. The letter states the types of goods required with sufficient details for the supplying company to fulfill the order. Terms and conditions may also be included in such a letter.

Example of  Purchase Order Letter

PT. Fashion Tersohor
Cisitu Lama Street
Bandung

January 13, 2016

Subject: Puchase order for 500 pairs of shoes

Dear Sir or Madam

This is with reference to our meeting on January 9, 2016 when we visited your factory in connection with purchase of shoes for our school children.

We are pleased to place an order for 500 pairs of black shoes item number 555 and size 34. We would appreciate if the order is delivered at the address given below latest by January 11, 2016 so that we can start selling it to children before the holiday.

The terms and conditions of the purchase order as follows:
1. Order for 500 pairs of black shoes with item number 555 and size 34.
2. Delivery will be made at the address mentioned below.
3. The order should be delivered latest by September 11, 2014.
4. 100% payment will be made on delivery.
5. If the order is not delivered by the due date, please consider it as cancelled.
6. The price per pair, as mutually agreed, is IDR. 75,000 inclusive of all taxes.

We hope to have a long business relationship with you.

Please feel free to contact the undersigned for any clarifications or discrepancy in the order details.

Best regards,

[tanda tangan]

Zsazsa Novia

Reference:

https://jujubandung.wordpress.com/2009/01/14/contoh-surat-komplain-bahasa-inggris/

https://jujubandung.wordpress.com/2009/01/13/cara-menulis-surat-order-letter-bahasa-inggris/

http://jobsearch.about.com/od/morejobletters/a/jobappletter.htm