Business Writing Job Application Packaging

To: Jeanette Novakovich

From: Sara Starkey
Subject: Job Application Package
Date: January 18, 2010

Summary
The purpose of this memo is to inform the reader on the job for which I have designed my job
application package and will include a job description, an analysis of the audience my resume and
cover letter will be tailored for, and a rhetorical analysis of relevant and needed skills required for
this job.

Job Description
The job I am applying for post-graduation is a writing position for a large business-to-business
(B2B) corporation. This job will be centered on composing memos, reports, newsletters, corporate
proposals and press releases. Working as both a team and on an individual basis, tasks will include
technical and business writing, proofreading, editing and copy-editing, among others. It will
require a vast selection of skills including the ability to use Word, Power Point, Excel
Spreadsheets, and be comfortable in writing in B2B form. The advertisement* calls for someone
with a Bachelor’s degree in English, someone with experience in writing both off- and on-line, and
who has the ability to direct and manage various projects, sometimes simultaneously. The specific
responsibilities the job requires include: experience with several forms of writing such as
summaries, white papers, articles, websites, landing pages and composing templates for briefs,
letters and memos.

Audience Analysis
The company that I hope to work for is Premier Farnell, a distributor of “electronic components
and industrial products to the design, maintenance and engineering sectors,”
(www.premierfarnell.com) situated in, but not limited to, the United Kingdom. Globally, Premier
Farnell has companies across North America and Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. As a large
corporation, Premier Farnell will be looking for those comfortable meeting and communicating
with many different people and using technology to advance the company and create relationships
in the global arena.

Rhetorical Analysis
In my resume and cover letter I will emphasize my skills as a writer as well as my ability to work
in a corporate business setting. In terms of job related skills, I will underline my written and oral
presentation skills, my competency in terms of prioritizing efficiently, my strong organizational
ability, my analytical proficiencies, my capabilities for multitasking and problem solving and my
ability to work as a team as well as alone. I will describe my computer experience and which
specific programs I excel at, and outline my experiences with writing both online and offline.

Recommendation
My experience, as outlined in my resume and cover letter, combined with a list of both personal
and professional references will allow potential employers to see me as a positive addition to their
company.
*see attached
3000 Sherbrooke Ouest
Montreal, QC H3Z 1A1
January 19, 2011
Jane Doe, HR Director
122 Mountain Road
Montreal, QC

Dear Ms. Doe,

In response to the open position posting on January 17, 2011, I am writing in hopes of attaining a
fulltime position as a Corporate Business Writer. With my experience in professional writing, I can
provide for you all of the technical details that the company requires from its employees in terms
of written communication.

In addition to points made on my resume concerning technical experience, I can contribute

extensive knowledge and skills in terms of both content of work and working in a corporate
setting. I am a hard worker, am able to prioritize, multitask and meet deadlines, and am
comfortable working as a team and on an individual basis. In terms of work content, I am
experienced with in-depth structural editing, indexing, copy-editing, creating style sheets, fact-
checking and reference writing. I have experience with writing in various forms including public
relations, technical and business writing, and both print and web-based communication.

I believe that my background and experience with writing would be an asset to your company. I
have enclosed my resume and a page of references for your viewing. I would appreciate meeting
with you to discuss the possibility of joining you at ooooooo. Please contact me at your earliest
convenience at 514-827-9898 or by e-mail, sara_starkey@hotmail.com with any questions or other
needed information regarding my resume. I will contact you next Monday morning to schedule a
meeting.

Sincerely,

Sara Starkey
 Sara Starkey
3000 Sherbrooke Ouest Apt. 001 Montreal, Quebec H3Z 1A1
514.827.9898 • sara_starkey@hotmail.com
www.sarastarey.weebly.com

Education
Concordia University
Montreal, Quebec 2008 – 2011
Bachelor’s Degree of Arts and Science
Major: English Literature Minor: Professional Writing

Relevant Coursework:
• Creative Writing • Technical Writing
• Grammar, Usage and Style • Research Writing
• Public Relations Writing • Business Writing
• Principles and Practices of Editing
• Advanced Composition and Professional Writing

Knowledge and Skills

• Computer literate: knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, online and
offline writing including blogging, creating and maintaining a website and landing
pages.
•Able to create style sheets and functional copyedits and proofreading pages.
•Has experience with writing in various forms such as research papers, articles,
summaries, Power Point presentations and argumentative essays.
•Able to easily and efficiently communicate with grammatical correctness.
• Organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks.
•Able to multitask, analyze and solve problems.
•Able to work as a team or on an individual basis.

Internships and Work Experience

Freelance Editor
Montreal, Quebec 2008-2011
•Edited structure, grammar and content of term papers and tutored students in fact-
checking, creating bibliographies and overall research of their work.

Assistant Co-ordinator
Newfoundland International Student Education Program
St. John’s, NL Summer, 2005
Provided Canadian cultural exposure for nineteen international exchange students
 aged 12 to 18 years.
•Planning and supervision of varied daily activities representing broad range of
educative experience, including tourism attractions, sports, and English language
development.
•Assisted in office administration: photocopying, collating, and binding
instructional material. Experience with Microsoft Word and Excel. Fundraised for
activities through telephone and cold calling businesses.

Volunteer Experience
Concordia Community Solidarity Bookstore
Montreal, Quebec Summer/Fall 2008
Volunteer
• Organized bookstore and worked on new book database.
• Aided with customer questions, as well as worked at cash register.
• Worked for Orientation ’08, for SGW campus and Liberal Arts College at
presentation table, informing and answering questions of new, old and visiting
students.

Janeway Children’s Hospital

St. John’s, Newfoundland 2001
Volunteer
• Assisted hospital staff with various tasks.
• Entertained young patients in the Children’s Hospital by reading and playing
games.

Association for New Canadians

St. John’s Newfoundland 2002 – 2004
Homework Tutor
• Tutored young immigrant and refugee children with homework assignments and
assisted integration into school curriculum.

Awards
A&W Restaurant
St. John’s Newfoundland 2005-2007
Awarded perfect scores for highest performance on Secret Shoppers’ calls as
supervising cashier on three separate occasions.

Concordia University
Montreal, Quebec 2009
Awarded Arianne Johnston and Kip Little Scholarship for studies in English
Literature.
References
Judy Nicholls- Volunteer Coordinator of Association for New Canadians
Address: 122 Military Road, St. John’s, NL A1C 3W6
Telephone: 709-779-2221

Chris Driedland- Character reference

Address: 105 Cabot Street, St. John’s NL A1 4L3
Telephone: 709-738-9881

Andrew Norbert- Landlord

Address: 10 Howley Avenue A1C 3K6
Telephone: 709-739-6339

Liz Vincente- Coodinator of Newfoundland International Student Education Program

Address: 3008 Water Street Suite 104, A1B 2X1
Telephone: 709-722-1226

More references available upon request.