Phillip Stanhope, the 4th Earl of Chesterfield, once said that “Whatever is worth doing at all, is worth doing well.” Desire has and always will be the greatest motivator.
Whether pursuing career or education, getting waitlisted or having to wait for an official response is always a potential outcome. Is waiting all we can really do? Definitely not! In cases where it would be too informal to rely on a casual WhatsApp message or email, a letter of continued interest is the most professional way to show that you are keen to proceed. Join Wordsmith and let’s learn to draft these potentially life-altering letters.
Know who you are writing to
If you’ve ever been placed onto a waitlist for school or work, or are waiting for a client’s decision following a pitch, it can be a rather nerve-wracking experience. You could always twiddle your thumbs and hope for the best, or you could take the proactive approach by sending a letter of continued interest (LOCI), as Forbes contributor Christopher Rim and CEO of education consulting firm Command Education recommends.
With waitlists that can stretch anywhere from a week to a year, Rim highly suggests including what you’ve achieved since your initial application to demonstrate a self-motivated attitude. Workplaces and institutions love to see candidates take on new skills and goals, and when you are compared to other waitlisted candidates who haven’t made big changes (nor submitted a LOCI), your application will carry more sway.
“You only have one shot – applicants should not send more than one letter – so it is imperative that you make an impact,” he warns.
Whenever dealing with these one-shot opportunities, it pays to customise each letter according to the specific business or school. Firstly, this requires you to personalise and target the letter to the corresponding recruiter, interviewer or admissions officer instead of the HR department/admissions office.
That’s not all! You’ll also need to show an understanding of the business/institution’s background and their objectives. “Consider the unique aspects of the school’s culture, programs, faculty and student life that excite you,” writes Rim. “While hundreds of applicants may be allured by the university’s prestige or reputation, perhaps you are excited about a quirky student club or the research a faculty member is conducting…”
Once you’ve identified your interests, explain how you can elevate or contribute to said interests. “Show the admissions committee that not only is their school right for you, you will be an asset for them,” points out Rim. Consider your personal goals, hobbies, skills, experience and personality when you think of your reasons – it doesn’t need to be grandiose, it just needs to make sense and be relevant to school or business.
Show a positive and enthusiastic attitude
Even though being on a waitlist drains both patience and sanity, you need to maintain a positive tone in your letter.
“A LOCI is not the place to relitigate your deferral or demand reasons for why you were not accepted,” states Rim. As described earlier, list out your reasons for wanting to attend – these are also your motivations for positivity and enthusiasm! “Allow that hopefulness and genuine desire to attend the university inform the tone and content of your letter,” Rim adds.
Louise Correcha, a technical writer and contributor to LinkedIn, provides some handy tips on positivity:
· Use positive words or phrases and avoid negatives
This rationale equally applies in marketing – clients don’t like to see can’t, won’t or never in their branding because it associates their brand with negativity. If you use these words in your letter, it could potentially sour the tone of your letter.
· Soften negative information and be courteous
In cases where you might have to give bad news – e.g. you need to delay your application by a school semester due to a family emergency – “stress what something is rather than what it is not,” writes Correcha. “From the reader’s perspective, emphasise the benefits for them, not you.”
Instead of repeatedly apologising for delaying the application, apologise once curtly and express how you are still interested in attending the following semester. Follow-up with your reasons for wanting to attend and express how your experiences or skillsets can be applied.
Lastly, don’t forget to thank the reader for their understanding. Life can happen at the most inconvenient moments, but how you carry yourself forward is how you will be remembered.
A brief window to your personality
Like a cover letter for your resume, a LOCI is a great opportunity for the reader to gain more personal insight into who you are. Although you may be tempted to be goofy and silly (especially if that’s how you are in person and follow the rule of “write like how you talk”), remember that this is a professional letter – you still need to portray yourself with some dignity and class. The same respect should be given to the reader.
Since the recruiter or admissions officer will already have a copy of your resume or transcript, use this opportunity to talk about things outside of your resume/transcript, as passions are a great way to demonstrate personality. For example, if you’ve picked up a new hobby recently (and they require or grant skills that are relevant to where you’ve applied), tell the reader why you’ve done this and how it could be beneficial for them if they sign you on.
Not sure if your letter has enough personality? Then Rim would suggest asking a friend or family member to proofread it. “Someone who knows you well will be able to provide you with honest feedback about its tone and personality,” he concludes. “Students should take the time and effort to make sure the letter is not only clear and polished, but also fun, spunky and genuine – putting a smile on an admission officer’s face could be the difference between a rejection and acceptance.
Just because you are on the waitlist for a job or school, it doesn’t mean that waiting is your only option. With a proper LOCI, you have the perfect opportunity to show the recruiter how you can contribute to their success. Even if you don’t get the position, you can be confident that you’ve done all you could to make your case!