II. Lawyer Makes Last Request for Payment

Gentlemen:

My clients, Smithson & Co., have informed me that their repeated requests for payment of your long overdue account for $638.50 have been ignored by you.

This is the final demand for settlement on an amicable basis. Unless payment of the above amount is made immediately, I shall be compelled to institute legal proceedings against you without further notice.

Yours truly,

III. Customer Makes Payment on Account—Asks for Extension for the Balance

Dear Sirs,

We have received your letter of the 10th August and are sorry for the delay in settling our account.

Owing to the slackness of trade during the past few months, we have not yet been able to dispose of your last consignment. Besides, many of our customers have been slow in meeting their obligations.

We are sending you a cheque for £50 on account and should be grateful if you would grant us an extension for the balance until the 30th September. You can rely on receiving a remittance in full settlement by that date.

We should be greatly obliged to you for accommodating us in this matter.

Yours faithfully,

Encl.

XI. Letters of Application

No business letter is of such direct and personal importance to the writer as the letter of application. It may have a decisive influence on a person's career and advancement and thus help to shape his future.

Letters of application fall into two categories: solicited and unsolicited applications. Solicited applications are written in response to advertisements ("Situations Offered", "Situations Vacant", "Jobs Offered") or at the request of a prospective employer; unsolicited applications are addressed to firms on the chance that there is or will be an opening. Frequently, unsolicited applications are sent at the suggestion of a third person.

Applicants usually enclose with their application a curriculum vitae, or a personal data sheet. A curriculum vitae (or: resume) contains details about the applicant, his education, training and experience. In a personal data sheet (or: personal record sheet) the information about the applicant is tabulated.

Letters of application may also be accompanied by a recent photograph and copies of testimonials or letters of recommendation (sending the originals would be too risky). Many firms send application forms to candidates for positions, requesting them to complete the forms and return them.

Specimen Letters