Hand written application letter - help with presentation :)

sharonr

I'm just about to sit down and apply for a job which requires a CV and a HANDWRITTEN application.

I always type my letters and haven't handwritten one for years and am now doubting how to present it. My questions are:

• A4 lined paper or note paper?
• black or blue pen?
• paragraphs like you would type them - left indented, line between each one, or old school where you leave a gap to the left
• I have a first name and surname (no title), so do I write to Dear first name, or Ms surname?

What's the general consensus? Don't know why I'm doubting myself, probably overthinking it!

heretolearn_2

A4 lined paper or note paper? Plain A4 paper - only little kids have to write on lined paper!
black or blue pen? either, my personal preference is black but blue is fine. Just don't use a wacky colour like green.
paragraphs like you would type them - left indented, line between each one, or old school where you leave a gap to the left. Don't know, again either should be fine as long as it's clear.
I have a first name and surname (no title), so do I write to Dear first name, or Ms surname? I'd go for Ms Surname, first names are too informal for this.

GotToChange

I am Luddite and proud of it, so here are my tips fwiw:

Unlined good quality paper - A4 - pref. white or cream -

Use black* ink - rollerball or fountain pen, unless your biro is very smooth-flowing - (* I recently re-started using blue-black ink in my fountain pen - takes me back to schooldays - and actually took some finding [from CultPens - great site])

No gap to the left at the start of the first or any paragraph, align everything (except your own address and the date - top right) to the left (my concession to modern layout) -

yes, leave a clear line between paragraphs -

The default title to use is 'Mrs' - although it very unfair to not use this in the ad; using the name at all will depend on how the name was proferred in the ad - it is possible to put
F.A.O. xxx xxxxxxx (thus avoiding title), but then you should technically use "Dear Sirs", so more confusing than ever -

^This also affects your sign-off, but sure you know that.

I understand going blank on something - happens to me all the time.

sharonr

Thanks for the feedback, it has clarified my thoughts. I've now compiled my letter on the laptop and will now go ahead and write it Old stylee.

Gottochange. I am actually a stickler for the sign offs, so am not doubting myself on that score.

GotToChange

sharonr wrote: »

Thanks for the feedback, it has clarified my thoughts. I've now compiled my letter on the laptop and will now go ahead and write it Old stylee.

Gottochange. I am actually a stickler for the sign offs, so am not doubting myself on that score.

Me too.
Good luck with it.

lincroft1710

Does your handwriting slope backwards or forwards? Are your loops large or small? Is your style large and sprawling or small and cramped or somewhere in between?

Handwriting is supposed to show your character and personality traits. But don't ask me which style demonstrates which personality trait as I don't know.

Wyndham

Gosh! I'm really not sure I'd want to work for a company who wanted me to do this! But, my handwriting is just illegible because I type so much!

Good luck OP.....

bap98189

Graphology was the "big thing" in HR about 15 years ago. I thought it had pretty much been forgotten about nowadays seeing as it's a load of superstitious nonsense.

Unless the job is as a caligrapher, I wouldn't want to work for a company that used such pseudoscience to select candidates.

Annisele

I'd ring the company's switchboard and ask the receptionist whether Ms X is a Miss X, a Mrs X or a Ms X (or indeed a Dr X or some other title). You don't have to say who you are, just that you're writing to her and you'd like to get her title right.

sharonr

Thanks everyone. I kind of know the company as I used to work right next door, it's a family run company that seemed really nice (much better than my boss of the time). I think they are asking for handwritten applications more to get a feel of how I can present myself and possibly to see if you've paid attention to the ad rather than to assess my style. I could be wrong though!

Application is now written and hand delivered in the dark

Fingers crossed!

swimmer_2

Get a pen with no ink in it, then squeeze two lemons into a small glass. Then compose your letter using the lemon juice, by dipping the nib into the glass. Once complete use a black biro and in capitals at the top of the letter write - NOT EVERYTHING IS AS IT SEEMS, PLEASE HEAT UNDER A HOT LAMP AND ALL WILL BE REVEALED.

Perhaps they will be impressed with your knowledge of invisible ink and phone you when your cover letter shows up on the page. GOOD LUCK!!!