Computer Ethics

Ethics is a set of moral principles that govern the behavior of a group or individual. Therefore, computer ethics is set of moral principles that regulate the use of computers. Some common issues of computer ethics include intellectual property rights (such as copyrighted electronic content), privacy concerns, and how computers affect society.

Computer ethics primarily enforces the ethical implementation and use of computing resources. It includes methods and procedures to avoid infringing copyrights, trademarks and the unauthorized distribution of digital content. Computer ethics also entails the behavior and approach of a human operator, workplace ethics and compliance with the ethical standards that surround computer use.

The core issues surrounding computer ethics are based on the scenarios arising from the use of the Internet, such as Internet privacy, the publication of copyrighted content and user interaction with websites, software and related services.

For example, while it is easy to duplicate copyrighted electronic (or digital) content, computer ethics would suggest that it is wrong to do so without the author’s approval. And while it may be possible to access someone’s personal information on a computer system, computer ethics would advise that such an action is unethical.

As technology advances, computers continue to have a greater impact on society. Therefore, computer ethics promotes the discussion of how much influence computers should have in areas such as artificial intelligence and human communication. As the world of computers evolves, computer ethics continues to create ethical standards that address new issues raised by new technologies.

Importance of computer ethics

  • To protect personal & commercial information such as login & password info, credit card and account information and government and commercial databases. It also controls unwanted internet mail and ads (Spam).
  • To control plagiarism, student identity fraud, and the use of copyrighted material, etc.
  • To make ICT available and accessible to all peoples, including the disabled and the deprived. Accessibility needs to be kept in mind during curriculum design (in educational contexts), in order to maximize the capabilities of the technology
  • To suppress dishonest business practices and to protect and encourage fair competition.
  • To promote moral and social values in society.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. By practicing corporate social responsibility, also called corporate citizenship, companies can be conscious of the kind of impact they are having on all aspects of society, including economic, social, and environmental.

To engage in CSR means that, in the ordinary course of business, a company is operating in ways that enhance society and the environment, instead of contributing negatively to them.

Corporate social responsibility is a broad concept that can take many forms depending on the company and industry. Through CSR programs, philanthropy, and volunteer efforts, businesses can benefit society while boosting their brands.

As important as CSR is for the community, it is equally valuable for a company. CSR activities can help forge a stronger bond between employees and corporations; boost morale; and help both employees and employers feel more connected with the world around them.

For a company to be socially responsible, it first needs to be accountable to itself and its shareholders. Often, companies that adopt CSR programs have grown their business to the point where they can give back to society. Thus, CSR is primarily a strategy of large corporations. Also, the more visible and successful a corporation is, the more responsibility it has to set standards of ethical behavior for its peers, competition, and industry.

Example of Corporate Social Responsibility

Long before its initial public offering (IPO) in 1992, Starbucks was known for its keen sense of corporate social responsibility, and commitment to sustainability and community welfare. According to the company, Starbucks has achieved many of its CSR milestones since it opened its doors. As per its 2018 “Global Social Impact Report,” these milestones include “reaching 99% of ethically sourced coffee, creating a global network of farmers, pioneering green building throughout its stores, contributing millions of hours of community service, and creating a groundbreaking college program for its partner/employees.”

Starbucks’ goals for 2020 and beyond include hiring 10,000 refugees across 75 countries, reducing the environmental impact of its cups, and engaging its employees in environmental leadership. Today there are many socially responsible companies whose brands are known for their CSR programs, such as Ben & Jerry’s ice cream and Everlane, a clothing retailer.

Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility

The notion that discharging corporate social responsibility involves costs and, in turn, reduces profits has proved wrong without doubt. Rather, it has been well established that discharging social responsibility strengthens the corporation’s foundation to earn profit not just in the short-run but also in the long- run. Numerous such stories abound in the corporate world.

Johnson & Johnson presents one classical example of how a company puts public welfare ahead of its own interest (profit), especially when the company itself is a victim. 28 September 1982 was a tragic day for Chicago when Johnson & Johnson made Extra Strength Tylenol caused cyanide poisoning and killed many people.

Showing its utmost concern for social welfare, Johnson & Johnson not only cooperated with the efforts to investigate into the incident, but also announced a reward of $ 1, 00,000 for giving information about the culprit.

The Tylenol crisis cost Johnson & Johnson plenty some $ 50 million besides withdrawal of 31 million bottles from the market with a retail value of over $ 100 million. Potentially, the most devastating cost resulted from lost public confidence. Only six weeks after it had withdrawn all Tylenol capsules from the market, the company reintroduced the product in tamper-proof packages, as are used in all of today’s pharmaceutical products.

Amazingly, Johnson & Johnson regained 95 per cent of the market share it had before the Tylenol crisis (Waldholz 1982). Johnson & Johnson’s this vignette clearly exemplifies how concern for social welfare strengthens an organization’s foundation, better call it “Organizational Character” and, in turn, its profit earning capacity. Character is foundation for over all prosperity.

Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL) is another such example that kept social welfare ahead of its interest. In the year 1997, of all the cars sold between January and April, this responsible company recalled about 50,000 of their most popular product, the Maruti 800 passenger cars from the market, because they suspected them to be made of inferior steel. This became a newspaper headlines, as it was the biggest ever recall of cars from the Indian market place. What an excellent example of moral altruism (Singh 2003)?

The logic behind this positive relationship appears to be that social involvement of business provides a number of benefits to it that more than offset its costs. These benefits would include a positive consumer image, a more dedicated and motivated workforce, strong public confidence, social acceptance, and even less interference from regulating agencies.

One way to understand the relevance of corporate social responsibility lies in our ancient teaching of Propkaram Paramam Dharma, i.e., helping others, what the sociologists call, altruism, is the most sacred duty. Performing duty is “Dharma” and “Dharma” is truth.

Truth prevails in its own manifestations and lasts for long. Our past is witness that in all walks of life, at last satyamev jayate, i.e., ultimately truth alone prevails and wins. Cooperate social responsibility is a company’s ‘dharma’ that enables the company to survive and thrive for long.

Just as any untruth is short lived, so is an untruth or unethical business too. There are plethora of corporate examples like Arthur Anderson, Enron, Union Carbide, Harshad Mehta Stock Business and so on confirming that no business can exist and survive without the acceptance and sanction of the society in which it carries out its activities. Without social sanction, business is sure to flounder and perish.

Following are some more justifications in favour of why corporations should discharge social responsibility. Many of these (Mintzerg 1983) tend to be couched in terms of enlightened self- interest, i.e., the corporation takes on social responsibilities insofar as doing so promotes its own self-interest.

  1. Corporations perceived as being socially responsible might be rewarded with extra and/or more satisfied customers, whilst perceived irresponsibility may result in rejection or boycott by customers. Pepsi and Coca-Cola experienced such boycott from customers in India in 2007.
  2. Research reports that employees are attracted to and even become more committed to corporations that show socially responsible behaviour (Greening and Turban 2000).
  3. Corporations that voluntarily commit to social actions and programmes may also forestall legislation and ensure greater corporate independence from government.
  4. Making positive contribution through socially responsible behaviour to society might be regarded as a long-term investment in creating an improved and stable business context to do business.

In addition to above business justifications couched in favour of corporate social responsibility, following are some important moral justifications also in favour of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):

  1. Corporations through their actions cause some social problems like pollution, dirtiness, etc. and hence they have a moral responsibility to solve these problems caused by them and also make efforts to prevent such problems in future.
  2. Corporations as social actors use social resources which are often scarce. Hence, they should use these resources in responsible manner for the benefit of the society.
  3. Corporate activities of one type or other like providing products and services, employment to workers, and so on and so forth, have social impacts be positive or negative or neutral. Hence, corporations are responsible to own the responsibility of these impacts.

In reality, corporations rely not only on the contributions of shareholders but also of wide constituencies, or say, stakeholders in society such as consumers, suppliers, local communities, etc. Hence, corporations have a duty to take into account the interests and goals of shareholders as well as other stakeholders.

Given the range of justifications in favour of CSR, there has not been any doubt about the need for and significance of socially responsible behaviour exhibited by the corporations.

Business Letter Writing: Theory, Parts and Structure

A business letter is a letter from one company to another, or between such organizations and their customers, clients, or other external parties. The overall style of letter depends on the relationship between the parties concerned. Business letters can have many types of content, for example to request direct information or action from another party, to order supplies from a supplier, to point out a mistake by the letter’s recipient, to reply directly to a request, to apologize for a wrong, or to convey goodwill. A business letter is sometimes useful because it produces a permanent written record, and may be taken more seriously by the recipient than other forms of communication.

Writing for a business audience is usually quite different than writing in the humanities, social sciences, or other academic disciplines. Business writing strives to be crisp and succinct rather than evocative or creative; it stresses specificity and accuracy. This distinction does not make business writing superior or inferior to other styles. Rather, it reflects the unique purpose and considerations involved when writing in a business context.

When you write a business document, you must assume that your audience has limited time in which to read it and is likely to skim. Your readers have an interest in what you say insofar as it affects their working world. They want to know the “bottom line”: the point you are making about a situation or problem and how they should respond.

Business writing varies from the conversational style often found in email messages to the more formal, legalistic style found in contracts. A style between these two extremes is appropriate for the majority of memos, emails, and letters. Writing that is too formal can alienate readers, and an attempt to be overly casual may come across as insincere or unprofessional. In business writing, as in all writing, you must know your audience.

In most cases, the business letter will be the first impression that you make on someone. Though business writing has become less formal over time, you should still take great care that your letter’s content is clear and that you have proofread it carefully.

Parts of Business Letter

Regardless of their purposes, most business letters have some basic parts. The orderly arrangement of various parts of business letter is known as the structure of letter. The appearance of letter often reveals the character of the writer and his organization. So business letter should be arranged in a suitable manner that can draw reader’s attention. A well-structured business letter can also enhance the reputation and goodwill of the company.

A business letter will be more impressive if proper attention is given to each and every part of the business letter.

There are 12 Parts of Business Letter

  • The Heading or Letterhead
  • Date
  • Reference
  • The Inside Address
  • Subject
  • Greeting
  • Body Paragraphs
  • Complimentary Close
  • Signature and Writer’s Identification
  • Enclosures
  • Copy Circulation
  • PostScript

Let us discuss the parts of a business letter.

  1. The Heading or Letterhead

It usually contains the name and the address of the business or an organization. It can also have an email address, contact number, fax number, trademark or logo of the business.

  1. Date

We write the date on the right-hand side corner of the letter below the heading.

  1. Reference

It shows the department of the organization sending the letter. The letter-number can also be used as a reference

  1. The Inside Address

It includes the name, address, postal code, and job title of the recipient. It must be mentioned after the reference. One must write inside address on the left-hand side of the sheet.

  1. Subject

It is a brief statement mentioning the reason for writing the letter. It should be clear, eye catchy, short, simple, and easily understandable.

  1. The Greeting

It contains the words to greet the recipient. It is also known as the salutation. The type of salutation depends upon the relationship with the recipient.

It generally includes words like Dear, Respected, or just Sir/Madam. A comma (,) usually follow the salutation.

  1. The Body Paragraphs

This is the main part of the letter. It contains the actual message of the sender. The main body of the mail must be clear and simple to understand. The body of the letter is basically divided into three main categories.

Opening Part: The first paragraph of the mail writing must state the introduction of the writer. It also contains the previous correspondence if any.

Main Part: This paragraph states the main idea or the reason for writing. It must be clear, concise, complete, and to the point.

Concluding Part: It is the conclusion of the business letter. It shows the suggestions or the need of the action. The closing of the letter shows the expectation of the sender from the recipient. Always end your mail by courteous words like thanking you, warm regards, look forward to hearing from your side etc.

  1. The Complimentary Close

It is a humble way of ending a letter. It is written in accordance with the salutation. The most generally used complimentary close are Yours faithfully, Yours sincerely, and Thanks & Regards.

  1. Signature and Writer’s Identification

It includes the signature, name, and designation of the sender. It can also include other details like contact number, address, etc. The signature is handwritten just above the name of the sender.

  1. Enclosures

Enclosures show the documents attached to the letter. The documents can be anything like cheque, draft, bills, receipts, invoices, etc. It is listed one by one.

  1. Copy Circulation

It is needed when the copies of the letter are sent to other persons. It is denoted as C.C.

  1. PostScript

The sender can mention it when he wants to add something other than the message in the body of the letter. It is written as P.S.

Structure of a Business Letter

Business letter is one which appears well, is written well and communicated well.

It includes several parts and the parts are arranged in sequence to make it meaningful. Arranging various parts in proper sequence in letter is called structure of business letter. The structure is heading, opening, body and closing:

  1. Heading

Heading is used to convey a positive image of the company.   Because it includes the company’s address, phone and often email. It is not necessary to include that information again in the body of the letter. Sometimes the writer will provide a direct phone number or personal email address if the action statement calls for direct communication.

Inside Address

Two spaces below the date are the full name and business address of the person to whom the letter is addressed.  If several people are receiving the letter, all their names and addresses should appear.  The address on the letter should be the same as the address on the envelope.  As with the date, there can be legal consequences for inaccuracies.  The address on the letter is presumed to be the one to which the letter is actually sent.  If it is incomplete or inaccurate, a recipient can make the case that the letter was mailed to the incorrect address as well.

Date

Full date must be included in the letter. The date can be any agreement being made Because the letter is a formal document, often used in contract situations, the date can be extremely important.  The letter is usually dated the same day on which it is mailed, but whatever agreements are included in the letter are considered effective as of the date of the letter.

  1. The opening

Salutation

The formal greeting always starts with “Dear” followed by the person’s title and last name, and ending with a colon.  This requires finding out whether the recipient is properly addressed as Mr., Ms. Or Dr. Attempts to avoid the issue (i.e. Substituting the title with the person’s first name, using impersonal phrases like “Mr. Or Ms” or “To Whom It May Concern”, or eliminating the salutation entirely) indicate that the writer doesn’t actually know the recipient of the letter at all, making the letter a “form” letter, a much less formal document.

  1. Body

Context Paragraph

The first paragraph of the letter will define the context, providing a clear statement of the letter’s topic and purpose.  Avoid starting a letter flowery language that doesn’t explain what the letter is about. In social letters or in letters written for businesspeople, it is appropriate to begin a letter with a question about the family or a comment about recent weather or world events.  U.S. businesspeople, however, generally prefer to find out right away why the letter has been written.)

Content Paragraphs

The typical letter uses one to three paragraphs to provide the information relevant to its purpose.  Each paragraph should cover a single topic or point.  In the case of a long letter that covers multiple pages, it is appropriate to break the information into sections with internal headers or bullets to provide clarity.

Action Paragraph

The final paragraph of the letter provide a clear, straightforward statement of the action that will be taken be the writer, requested of the reader, or expected by a third party.

  1. Closing

Two spaces below the final paragraph of the letter, a traditional closing line, generally “sincerely” or “respectfully,” ends the letter.  If the situation calls for a warmer tone, the closing might be “cordially,” “best wishes,” or “regards.”

Signature

A four-line space allows room for a written signature immediately below the closing, then the sender’s full name is typed, with the full business title (sometimes with the department or division as well) on the next line.  The signature on a business letter signifies that the writer is taking responsibility for fulfilling any commitments being made.  Thus, even when the sender and recipient know each other well, a full signature is used.

When writing on behalf of a team or department, type the group’s proper name immediately above the written signature of the team’s representative.

Business Letter Writing: Layout

When writing a business letter, the layout of your letter is important, so that it will be easy to read and looks professional. So is your use of an appropriate salutation and closing, your spelling and grammar, and the tone you employ.

Here’s information on business letters, including selecting a font, paragraph spacing, formatting, margins, what to include in each paragraph, how to close the letter, and an example of the proper layout for a business letter.

Letter Font and Spacing

  • Properly space the layout of the business letters you write, with space between the heading, the greeting, each paragraph, the closing, and your signature.
  • Single space your letter and leave a space between each paragraph. When sending typed letters, leave two spaces before and after your written signature.
  • Left justify your letter, so that your contact information, the date, the letter, and your signature are all aligned to the left.
  • Use a plain font like Arial, Times New Roman, Courier New, Calibri, or Verdana. Make sure that the font size you use is large enough that your reader won’t need to reach for their glasses – the standard font size for these fonts is 10 point or 12 point.

A business letter is a formal document often sent from one company to another or from a company to its clients, employees, and stakeholders, for example. Business letters are used for professional correspondence between individuals, as well.

Although email has taken over as the most common form of correspondence, printed-out business letters are still used for many important, serious types of correspondence, including reference letters, employment verification, job offers, and more.

What to Include in the Letter

Make the purpose of your letter clear through simple and targeted language, keeping the opening paragraph brief. You can start with, “I am writing in reference to…” and from there, communicate only what you need to say.

The subsequent paragraphs should include information that gives your reader a full understanding of your objective(s) but avoid meandering sentences and needlessly long words. Again, keep it concise to sustain their attention.

If, for example, you want the reader to sponsor a charity event, identify any overlap with their company’s philanthropic goals. Convince the reader that helping you would be mutually beneficial, and you will increase your chances of winning their support.

Sections of a Business Letter

Each section of your letter should adhere to the appropriate format, starting with your contact information and that of your recipient’s; salutation; the body of the letter; closing; and finally, your signature.

Your Contact Information

  • Your Name
  • Your Job Title
  • Your Company
  • Your Address
  • City, State Zip Code
  • Your Phone Number
  • Your Email Address

The Date

  • The date you’re penning the correspondence

Recipient’s Contact Information

  • Their Name
  • Their Title
  • Their Company
  • The Company’s Address
  • City, State Zip Code

The Salutation

  • Use “To Whom It May Concern,” if you’re unsure specifically whom you’re addressing.
  • Use the formal salutation “Dear Mr./Ms./Dr. [Last Name],” if you do not know the recipient.
  • Use “Dear [First Name],” only if you have an informal relationship with the recipient.

The Body

  • Use single-spaced lines with an added space between each paragraph, after the salutation, and above the closing.
  • Left justify your letter (against the left margin).

Closing Salutation

Keep your closing paragraph to two sentences. Simply reiterate your reason for writing and thank the reader for considering your request. Some good options for your closing include:

  • Respectfully yours
  • Yours sincerely
  • Cordially
  • Respectfully

If your letter is less formal, consider using:

  • All the best
  • Best
  • Thank you
  • Regards

Your Signature

Write your signature just beneath your closing and leave four single spaces between your closing and your typed full name, title, phone number, email address, and any other contact information you want to include.

Principles of Effective Letter Writing

Writing an effective business letter is an important skill no matter what type of job you hold. Although business communications have become much more casual with the advent of the Internet and email, there are still times when a formal letter is required. Understanding the basics of business letter writing can help you ensure that your letter is clear and concise.

Neat and Clean

Business letters should be neat and error-free. Some companies mandate a standardized format and font to ensure uniformity of company correspondence. If that’s the case at your company, find out if a business letter template is available. Use of a template will make it simple to follow the company format. If your company doesn’t use a template, follow basic business letter format. Type the recipient’s address at the top left of the page. Skip a line and type the date. Start the letter with Dear Mr., Ms. or Mrs., unless you are very well acquainted with the recipient. Skip a line between each paragraph and close the letter with “Sincerely” followed by your name and title.

Make Your Point

Use the opening paragraph to briefly explain the purpose of the letter. Your first sentence might read, “A recent review of construction purchase orders revealed several cost overruns,” or “We would like to offer you a 15 percent discount on your next printing job.” State the purpose clearly and avoid jargon or highly technical language. If a secretary or assistant reads the recipient’s mail, you’ll want to make sure that person understands the significance of your letter, even if she doesn’t have a technical background.

Details, Details, Details

Expand upon the first paragraph with more details. You might mention that cost overruns occurred during construction of the building’s elevator shafts or note that the 15 percent discount applies to printing jobs costing more than $100. Short, concise letters might be more likely to be read, but make sure you provide enough details so that the recipient fully understands the reason for the letter. Keep in mind that the tone of your letter can affect the way the reader perceives it. The Purdue Online Writing Lab suggests using positive words as much as possible and focusing on what your company can do, rather than what it can’t do.

Finish your letter with a request that asks the recipient to take some kind of action. For example, you might write, “Please provide me with the most recent cost projections by Tuesday,” or “Call me to take advantage of your discount.” Provide more than one way for the recipient to get in touch with you, such as a telephone number and an email address. Before you sign the letter and put it in the mail, be sure to review it for spelling and grammar errors.

Principles of Effective Email Writing

The average office worker receives around 80 emails each day. With that volume of mail, individual messages can easily get overlooked. Follow these simple rules to get your emails noticed and acted upon.

  1. Don’t over communicate by email

One of the biggest sources of stress at work is the sheer volume of emails that people receive. So, before you begin writing an email, ask yourself: “Is this really necessary?”

As part of this, you should use the phone or IM to deal with questions that are likely to need some back-and-forth discussion. Use our Communications Planning Tool to identify the channels that are best for different types of message.

Also, email is not as secure as you might want it to be, particularly as people may forward emails without thinking to delete the conversation history. So avoid sharing sensitive or personal information in an email, and don’t write about anything that you, or the subject of your email, wouldn’t like to see plastered on a billboard by your office.

Whenever possible, deliver bad news in person. This helps you to communicate with empathy, compassion, and understanding, and to make amends if your message has been taken the wrong way.

  1. Make Good Use of Subject Lines

A newspaper headline has two functions: it grabs your attention, and it summarizes the article, so that you can decide whether to read it or not. The subject line of your email message should do the same thing.

A blank subject line is more likely to be overlooked or rejected as “spam,” so always use a few well-chosen words to tell the recipient what the email is about.

You may want to include the date in the subject line if your message is one of a regular series of emails, such as a weekly project report. For a message that needs a response, you might also want to include a call to action, such as “Please reply by November 7.”

A well-written subject line like the one below delivers the most important information, without the recipient even having to open the email. This serves as a prompt that reminds recipients about your meeting every time they glance at their inbox.

Bad Example            Good Example
Subject: Meeting    Subject: PASS Process Meeting – 10 a.m. February 25, 2014
  1. Keep Messages Clear and Brief

Emails, like traditional business letters, need to be clear and concise. Keep your sentences short and to the point. The body of the email should be direct and informative, and it should contain all pertinent information. See our article on writing skills for guidance on communicating clearly in writing.

Unlike traditional letters, however, it costs no more to send several emails than it does to send just one. So, if you need to communicate with someone about a number of different topics, consider writing a separate email for each one. This makes your message clearer, and it allows your correspondent to reply to one topic at a time.

Bad Example            Good Example
Subject: Revisions For Sales Report

Hi Jackie,

 

Thanks for sending that report last week. I read it yesterday, and I feel that Chapter 2 needs more specific information about our sales figures. I also felt that the tone could be more formal.

 

Also, I wanted to let you know that I’ve scheduled a meeting with the PR department for this Friday regarding the new ad campaign. It’s at 11:00 a.m. and will be in the small conference room.

 

Please let me know if you can make that time.

 

Thanks!

 

Monica

Subject: Revisions For Sales Report

 

Hi Jackie,

 

Thanks for sending that report last week. I read it yesterday, and I feel that Chapter 2 needs more specific information about our sales figures.

 

I also felt that the tone could be more formal.

 

Could you amend it with these comments in mind?

 

Thanks for your hard work on this!

 

Monica

 

(Monica then follows this up with a separate email about the PR department meeting.)

  1. Be Polite

People often think that emails can be less formal than traditional letters. But the messages you send are a reflection of your own professionalism , values, and attention to detail, so a certain level of formality is needed.

Unless you’re on good terms with someone, avoid informal language, slang, jargon , and inappropriate abbreviations. Emoticons can be useful for clarifying your intent, but it’s best to use them only with people you know well.

Close your message with “Regards,” “Yours sincerely,” or “All the best,” depending on the situation.

Recipients may decide to print emails and share them with others, so always be polite.

  1. Check the Tone

When we meet people face-to-face, we use the other person’s body language , vocal tone, and facial expressions to assess how they feel. Email robs us of this information, and this means that we can’t tell when people have misunderstood our messages.

Your choice of words, sentence length, punctuation, and capitalization can easily be misinterpreted without visual and auditory cues. In the first example below, Emma might think that Harry is frustrated or angry, but, in reality, he feels fine.

  1. Proofreading

Finally, before you hit “send,” take a moment to review your email for spelling, grammar, and punctuation mistakes. Your email messages are as much a part of your professional image as the clothes you wear, so it looks bad to send out a message that contains typos.

As you proofread, pay careful attention to the length of your email. People are more likely to read short, concise emails than long, rambling ones, so make sure that your emails are as short as possible, without excluding necessary information.

Personnel correspondence: Statement of Purpose

The letters are still the necessary tools in an organization. It remains as an unprecedented throne in the written communication. One of the forms of correspondence that particularly requires the practice of letter writing is human resource correspondence. The HR department of any organization helps in stabilizing the organization and finding new talents and tools for its growth.

The technological advancements have by and large change the structure of the organizations. Many organizations are now shifting towards more and more use of technology. But certain practices still remains the same. One of the examples to this is the business correspondence.

This still remains as one of the favorites for every organization. The reason for this is the dependence on correspondence for failure and success in the organization.

For every organization, recruitment is a very important asset. And that is where the hr department comes into the picture. The personnel department for every firm deal with all the matters related to staffing as well as the day to day process of recruitment.

In the beginning, this department was not given much preference and as a result, was discharged of its duties. But then it got a new name in the form of the personnel department.

Then people at the highest level in the firms realized that it is the people in an organization changes the fortune of the organization and not just the machines. So, it got renamed again to the hr department i.e. Human resource department.

In the hr correspondence, there are many different types of letter that you have to deal with every day. Either you write these letters or you analyze them. That is why it is important to understand the areas which are important in these letters.

Job Application

Whenever you are in search for a job, the first thing you do is a search for various jobs and apply in them. So, job application and resume writing become the most important form of written communication. Both of them are in written forms and thus it becomes important to be more attentive towards them.

A job application is as similar to a sales ad or a circular you find in your day to day life. Through job application, you are offering your certain expertise and skills in return for a price.

Thus, every position you apply for demands a careful drafting of the application. The difference between the job application and a resume is that resume generally covers the factual information of a person or an applicant.

There are various ways through which you can apply for a job. Many organizations inform about the vacant position through an ad or maintain their own database. Some rely on different placement agencies to find them the applicants whenever required. The other alternative is the websites where many can submit their CV and resume and wait for a call.

The other likely source without writing a letter or a job application is through campus recruitment or company’s employment office. Thus, it becomes a prospective letter to the organization when you send in your resume or job application. It is almost similar to a sales letter.

Here also you are selling but the difference is you are selling yourself. You are selling yourself in the form of skills, qualifications, and expertise. Also, you are selling your weaknesses and strengths and thereby your ability to perform in the organization.

Resume

As mentioned above, a resume is factual details of one’s profile. This profile includes personal as well as professional details. It should be enclosed with the application that you are submitting either to an agency or the company.

There are many terms that you can use beside resume like bio-data or CV (curriculum vitae). You can also take a professional help for writing these letter and application.

Ideally, a good resume should not be too long, a one-page resume is considered sufficient to apply for a job. Personal details like gender, age, sex, are optional, so it is up to you to mention it.

It is necessary that you print or write your resume in a good quality paper. The display of lines and space should also be understood and taken care of.

Here are the details that a resume usually consists of:

Education/academics Personal details any extra qualifications Experience (chronological order) Additional information related to the job or languages known References. Follow the appropriate format of a resume. These formats can be usually found on the internet or in books.

Employment Communication: Job Application letter and Resume writing

Employment Communication refers to the exchange of information between employers and employees or job seekers regarding employment-related matters. It encompasses various forms such as job applications, resumes, cover letters, interviews, performance appraisals, workplace instructions, and exit communications. Effective employment communication ensures clarity, professionalism, and alignment between organizational goals and individual aspirations. It plays a crucial role in recruitment, onboarding, career development, and employee engagement. This communication fosters transparency, builds trust, and enhances workplace relationships. By adhering to principles of clarity, respect, and professionalism, employment communication contributes to a positive work environment and supports the achievement of organizational and career objectives.

Tips for Writing a Job Application Letter

  1. Do not copy your resume

A cover letter is a sales pitch. The purpose of this letter is to convince the hiring manager that you’re a strong candidate and to highlight your relevant experience and abilities. Your application letter should show how exactly your background makes you a good fit for a particular position. In contrast, your resume is a general record of your experience, education, and accomplishments.

  1. Tailor each application letter to the job

As mentioned above, emphasize in your letter why you are an ideal candidate for the specific job. This requires that you personalize each letter to fit the company and position. Match your qualifications to the job posting by highlighting the skills, experience, and requirements listed in the description.

  1. Be professional

Application letters have a fairly rigid format as hiring managers read your letter, they will expect to see certain information included in set areas. You have freedom within the structure to be personable, but it is important to stick to a certain level of formality. Pay particular attention to the professionalism of your salutation. You wouldn’t, for instance, want to refer to the letter’s recipient by their first name unless specifically requested.

  1. Carefully proofread

Employers are likely to overlook an application with a lot of errors. Therefore, read through your cover letter, and even consider asking a friend or career counselor to read the letter. Proofread for grammar and spelling errors. Be particularly mindful to spell the letter recipient’s name correctly, as well as the company name.

  1. Follow business letter format

Use business letter format when writing your letter. If you’re sending a typed hard-copy letter, be sure to lead with a paragraph containing your address, followed by the date, followed by the address of the recipient. If you’re sending an email, you can omit the address and date sections.

  1. Decide whether to send a hard copy or email

The main difference in formatting an email application letter is that you need to include a subject line that clearly lays out your purpose for writing, e.g. “Graphic Designer—Joe Smith.” And, instead of placing your contact information at the top of the letter, as you would in a hard copy, you’ll include it below your signature.

Job Application Letter Format

Use this formatting information as a guideline when writing your customized application letters, so you know what information goes where.

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, (leave out if you don’t have a contact)

Body of Application Letter

The body of your application 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. See below for a paragraph-by-paragraph breakdown of the body of the letter.

First Paragraph

The first paragraph of your letter should include information on why you are writing. Mention the job you are applying for and where you found the job listing. Include the name of a mutual contact, if you have one. You might conclude by briefly and concisely saying why you think you are an ideal candidate for the job.

Middle Paragraph

The next section of your application letter should describe what you have to offer the employer.

It can be a single paragraph, or you can break it up into a couple of paragraphs. If the section gets lengthy, you may use bullet points to break up the text. Remember, you are interpreting your resume, not repeating it.

Mention specifically how your qualifications match the job you are applying for. In this portion of the letter, make your case for your candidacy.

Use specific examples whenever possible. For example, if you say that you have lots of experience working successfully on team projects, provide an example of a time you worked in a group and achieved success.

Final Paragraph

Conclude your application letter by thanking the employer for considering you for the position. Include information on how you will follow up.

Complimentary Close (examples)

Sincerely,

Signature (for a hard copy letter)

Typed Signature

Job Application Letter Example

Theintactone

11 South Street

Harbor View, Maine 04005

555-555-5555

theintactone@email.com

March 5, 2020

Jason Rivera

Human Resources Director

Avery Solutions, Inc.

700 Commerce Way

Harbor View, Maine 04005

Dear Mr. Rivera,

I was excited when my former colleague, Stephanie Taylor, told me that you were hiring for a Human Resources Specialist at Avery Solutions.

Stephanie has told me how important teamwork is to your group at Avery, and how much you need an HR Specialist who can fit in with the department and hit the ground running on day one. I believe that I am the ideal candidate for your team.

In my current job at Smith Group, I created and run our onboarding program, including organizing background checks and new hire orientation. I also have extensive experience in:

Data reporting/data entry on HRIS software

Recruiting and hiring processes, including creating job descriptions and postings, screening resumes, and scheduling interviews

Producing company events, such as the annual company-wide picnic (100+ employees from across the country)

I’d love to speak with you about my qualifications and what I can do for your team. I’ve attached my resume for your consideration. Please don’t hesitate to contact me on my cell at 555-555-5555 with questions or to arrange an interview.

Best regards,

Theintactone

Resume writing

resume is a formal document that summarizes an individual’s professional history, skills, education, and accomplishments. It serves as a critical tool for job applications, helping potential employers evaluate a candidate’s qualifications. Writing an effective resume involves presenting information clearly, concisely, and tailored to the desired job.

Key Components of a Resume

  1. Contact Information

    • Include your full name, phone number, email address, and LinkedIn profile (if relevant).
    • Ensure the contact details are current and professional.
  2. Objective or Summary Statement

    • A brief statement highlighting your career goals and what you bring to the role.
    • Keep it specific and aligned with the job you’re applying for.
  3. Work Experience

    • List jobs in reverse chronological order, starting with the most recent position.
    • Include job title, company name, location, and employment dates.
    • Use bullet points to describe responsibilities and achievements, focusing on quantifiable results (e.g., “Increased sales by 20% in six months”).
  4. Education
    • Mention your degrees, institutions, and graduation dates.
    • Include relevant certifications or additional courses.
  5. Skills
    • Highlight technical and soft skills relevant to the job.
    • Use keywords from the job description to align with employer expectations.
  6. Achievements and Certifications

    • Add any awards, accolades, or certifications that make you stand out.
    • Ensure they are relevant to the job.
  7. Hobbies and Interests (Optional)

Include only if they are relevant to the role or reflect desirable traits like teamwork or creativity.

Tips for Effective Resume Writing

  1. Tailor Your Resume

Customize your resume for each job application, focusing on relevant skills and experience.

2. Use Action Verbs

Begin bullet points with strong action verbs like “managed,” “developed,” “led,” or “optimized.”

3. Quantify Achievements

    • Provide measurable results to demonstrate your impact (e.g., “Reduced costs by 15% by optimizing processes”).

4. Keep it Concise

Limit the resume to one or two pages. Avoid lengthy paragraphs; use bullet points for readability.

5. Professional Format

    • Choose a clean, easy-to-read layout with consistent formatting.
    • Use a professional font like Arial or Times New Roman, and keep font size between 10 and 12 points.

6. Proofread Thoroughly

    • Check for spelling, grammar, and formatting errors.
    • Consider using tools or seeking feedback from peers to ensure accuracy.

7. Include Relevant Keywords

Incorporate industry-specific terms and phrases from the job description to pass Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).

8. Avoid Unnecessary Details

Skip irrelevant personal details like age, marital status, or a photo unless required by the employer.

Letter of Acceptance of Job Offer

You’ve just been offered a new job and have decided to accept the offer. How should you formally accept the position? It’s always a good idea to accept a job offer by sending or giving your new employer your acceptance in writing.

A job acceptance letter allows you to demonstrate your professionalism and make sure there is no confusion about the precise terms of the offer, such as compensation, vacation time, or benefits. It’s also an opportunity to express your gratitude for being offered the position, as well as your enthusiasm for taking on the new role.

Advice on Writing a Job Offer Acceptance Letter

(i) Format your letter correctly

The letter can be sent by email or mail. If you’re sending a hard copy through the mail, format the letter as you would any business letter. Include your contact information and phone number, even though it’s on file with the employer.

(ii) Keep it brief

While you want to include all the most important information, this doesn’t mean your letter should be long and drawn out.

(iii) Make sure your letter includes the necessary Information

Although your letter should be concise, it should include the following:

  • Written acceptance of the job offer
  • The terms and conditions of employment (salary, benefits, job title, etc.)
  • Starting date of employment
  • Your thanks for the offer

(iv) Express your gratitude

Demonstrate how thankful you are for the new job opportunity. You might want to briefly explain why you’re particularly excited to work for the company. For example, you may want to share your desire to contribute to their sales team, or your passion for their mission. Again, keep this polite but brief.

(v) Edit, edit, edit

You don’t want to create any last-minute reasons for the employer to take back the job offer, such as a sloppy or unprofessional letter.

Go over the letter a couple of times to make sure you catch all the typographical errors and grammar mistakes. While you’re at it, it’s a good idea to double-check the spelling of the name of the person who offered you the job.

Example of a Letter Accepting a Job Offer

Jason Burnett

87 Washington Street

Smithfield, CA 08055

(909) 555-5555

jason.burnett@email.com

May 1, 2018

Mr. Michael Hynes

Director of Human Resources

Smithfield Granite and Stonework

800 Marshall Avenue

Smithfield, CA 08055

Dear Mr. Hynes,

As we discussed on the phone, I am very pleased to accept the position of Advertising Assistant with Smithfield Granite and Stonework. Thank you again for the opportunity. I am eager to make a positive contribution to the company and to work with everyone on the Smithfield team.

As we discussed, my starting salary will be $48,000 and health and life insurance benefits will be provided after 30 days of employment.

I look forward to starting employment on July 1, 20XX. If there is any additional information or paperwork you need prior to then, please let me know.

Again, thank you very much.

Handwritten Signature (hard copy letter)

Jason Burnett

Letter of Resignation

A resignation letter is an official letter sent by an employee to their employer giving notice they will no longer be working at the company. In other words, it’s an official form of quitting.  The goal of a letter of resignation is to create an official record of notice, provide details about the employee’s last day, outline any next steps, and maintain a positive relationship with the employer.

Tips for Writing a Resignation Letter

The general consensus on letters of resignation is, the shorter the better.  There is no need to provide a long-winded explanation of why you are quitting.  Instead, it’s best to be direct, professional, and outline any important information about the termination process.

Here are some helpful tips for writing your resignation letter:

  • Be direct and to the point: Mention that you are quitting in the first paragraph (or even the first sentence)
  • Be professional: Do not use it as an opportunity to complain, insult, or criticize the company or other employees
  • Give notice of your last day: Provide the specific date you are agreeing to work until
  • Provide information about the transition: You may offer to help find your replacement, or agree to finish certain projects and tasks before your last day
  • Proofread and spellcheck: Be sure to thoroughly proofread the letter before submitting to make sure all information is accurate and there are no typos
  • Seek legal advice: Depending on the nature of your position, you may wish to seek professional legal advice about your resignation process.

How to use a Resignation Letter Template?

You may wish to use this resignation letter template to help you efficiently write your letter.

To use this template effectively, follow these steps:

  • Copy and paste the resignation letter template into an MS Word Document, Google Doc, or email
  • Add all your personal details and contact information
  • Rewrite the paragraphs with your own words describing your situation
  • Proofread and spell check
  • Submit the letter via email, mail, or in-person

Resignation Letter Template

Copy and paste the below text into a Word document or an email as the starting point for own letter.

[Your Name]

[Your Street Address]

[Your City, State/Province, Country]

[Your Phone Number]

[Your Email Address]

[Today’s Date]

[Employer Contact Name]

[Employer Title]

[Employer Company Name]

Dear [Employer Contact Name],

[First paragraph: I am writing to provide you with my formal notice of resignation from The Company.  My last day will be January 19, 2018, two weeks from today.]

[Second paragraph: This was not an easy decision to make, and I appreciate your support over the course of my employment at The Company.  I truly value the experience, training, and knowledge I gained over the past 5 years. It has been a pleasure working with you and the team.

[Third paragraph: Please let me know how I can help during this transition. I wish you all the best as the company continues to grow.]

Sincerely,

[Image of Signature]

[Your Name]

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