THE COMMERCIAL GIRL.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1925, Page 36

THE COMMERCIAL GIRL.

HOW TO APPLY FOR A JOB.

(BY A BUSINESS MANAGER.)

Many young girls, of whom a large number rely entirely on State school training, apply for jobs in commercial offices. Advertisements in the "Star" for a typist bring 3 usually thirty or forty responses. Now, if I invito personal application, I am likely to find the office flooded with candidates; and all but one must lose time and fares. Since I am too busy to try all, I can but choose for further trial tho first who apparently passes muster. Then I may miss a better giri lost in the pack. Therefore, when I want a typist, bookkeeper, or office assistant, I ask for replies to be sent in care of the newspaper, and choose for interview three or four. As any day's advertising columns show., that is an ordinary business habit. It is so rare to find half-a-dozen completely satisfactory applications in the pile, that it occurs to mc that I can help a large number of girls (and a largo number of business men) by indicating how to apply for a job. This is useful knowledge that is not always taught where it should be taught—at school. Answer the Advertisement. In the first plq.ee, answer the advertisement. This usually indicates in some measure what an employer wants. Your reply should show that you can supply what is wanted. Answer the advertisement promptly; but without hurry that may lessen your chance of success. Write at once, and deliver or post on the day the advertisement is published. Replies should reach the office the next day. Your reply, of course, will give your name and address. State, also, your age, school training, and business experience (if any), with precise facts. Be sure that tlie grammar of your letter is correct, and that the style is intelligent and attractive. If you are uncertain, choose an advertisement, write model replies, and show them to a competent person for amendment. Always back your application with copies of two letters of reference —one from your teacher, regarding capacity, energy, industry and conduct; one from another person regarding general character. If you have not these, procure them in readiness for your reply to an advertisement. Type half-a-dozen copies and as the Boy Scouts say—"Be prepared." "Put Yourself in his Place." You must take pains with every reply, however often you are unsuccessful. Do not show haste or carelessness; answer seriously and fully—every time. If you have no answer to three applications, show a copy of your fourth application and your references to a competent person in order to find out whether anything is plainly wrong.

Remember that many other girls are writing applications -while you are writing; remember that you are competing in a class; and try to show in your reply that you not only good in yourself but better than all those competitors. He careful at every point. If you were applying personally, you would j tie tidy to the ends of your finger-nails. Make your written reply tidy to the ends of the pen-marks. C'onsdire your possible employer, with many letters before him. Suppose that you write a brief note that you are willing to be employed. What chance of employment will you have in competing with other girls who say why they should be employed, and show why, in the opinion of -witnesses to capacity and character, they should be employed? Coming to Cases. I have before mc replies to an advertisement published recently, asking lor a girl for an office. It will be serviceable j to show how advice is warranted in practice. One girl wrote: "Dear Sir, —Re your advertisement, I beg to offer my services. Hoping to hear from you, I remain, yours faithfully." Other girls wrote fully regarding their school training, and added copies of com- ; mendatory letters from teacher and minister. Which kind of girl would you ask to call? j One girl wrote: "I am a candadate." Another girl, supplying ''copy of refer- j ence," wrote: "I have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone requiring a good all-round office assistance." Another girl wrote: "This is to certify that Miss for some years past, and have always known her to be neat and painstaking in her duties. She has good education, possesses tact and persever- j ance, and am sure will take a great j interest in any work alotted her." j You can see how that testimonial, per- ' haps copied carelessly, is fatal to the claim of "good education." Testimonials. When you get testimonials, get good ones emphasiug your merits. The principal of a school gave one girl this: \ " attended this school for several years. During the whole period she was a thoroughly well behaved and well conducted student, and throughout bore an excellent character. I have much pleasure in recommending for any position for which her qualifications fit her." Observe that the emphasis upon con- I duct leaves the irppression that the girl is lacking in ability or intelligence. ! Reference to these commercial factors j seems fo have been omitted intention- I ally. The last sentence means nothing; it would apply just as well to a donkey, i The whole suggests that this girl is a | well-behaved dullard. Compare with this: ] " is a bright, intelligent ; girl, of good ability, regular, punctual, I earnest in and attentive to her work, ; esteemed by her teachers and classmates, and thoroughly trustworthy, j With pleasure I recommend her." i Get that kind of testimonial from \ your teacher, if you deserve it. I L T se commercial stationery, that is, j plain letterpaper, with an ordinary busi- \ ness envelope. Adjust your letter to your paper; do not crowd it to top or bottom, or in the margin. Leave ample space between words; cross your "t"; and dot your " i " above the letter —not \ at some distance along the line. Write ; in paragraphs. These things should be j taught at school; but are not invariably j taught. ! One should not expect too much from : office girls, junior or senior, but many of them do well commercially, and some arc business treasures—l am concerned here with a large number, who do not appear at, their best when applying for j employment — who are often, in fact, superior to the written application. i With a long experience of office girls, | I have formed the opinion that, generally j speaking, the girls are better \thau the schooling. Girls of good character come i from good parents, good families, good homes. But I have often pitied girls of ability who begin business life with the I drawback of inefficient training for busi- I ness life. Many leave school, after seven or more years of study. unable to write I | simple English clearly'and correctly. ■