Top in his list of ‘street-smart writing tips’ is the appeal to be short. “A good rule of thumb is to keep all sentences to 23 or fewer words.” Short sentences enable you to deliver a clearer message and avoid getting lost in wordy rhetoric, Betrus instructs. Since attention spans are just too short, keep each paragraph to a maximum of five lines in print, and four lines in email.

The author speaks of seven mistakes in letters that employers claim hinder a job seeker’s chances of securing an interview and eventually a job. First hurdle is lack of organisation. To overcome this, organise the letter and the information so that the reader is able to read the important information first. “The important information is information that communicates your value — your ability to contribute in a meaningful way — in less than 15 seconds.” Cover letters that tell but don’t sell may not lead you to success. Rather than relate long-winded biographies, communicate what you can do for the company and how you can improve its economics — its goals and objectives, goads Betrus. “Your work experience, education, and functional strengths are relevant only to the extent that they provide evidence of how you can help the company.”

Persuasive presentation.

D. MURALI

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