Question:
when was it *ever* a requirement of "most" jobs? In particular,
what is particularly "most" about the Q-letter candidate example you give
above (a fellow who's a CFO)? Prior to the early 20th century most jobs
in the US did not require even rudimentary literacy.
Answer:
-The example I gave you was the example the newspaper article provided.
The ability to write a business has long been a requirement of sorts
in most jobs where a resume is sent. The cover letter is a business
letter, and the applicant is often judged on the appearance and
contents of the resume and cover letter.
It's often the first introduction to the person. The reader starts
forming opinions about the applicant on reading it.
You verify my view that the cover letter is opinion-forming. If
hiring, you would look for a person with "good writing ability", and
that's where you would first determine the person's ability.
The fax was not a critical turning-point in communication, but it was
a factor. The question-by-fax emphasized timeliness of reply over
formality of reply. Pre-fax, the tendency was to write a letter
inquiring about - say - the status of an order. The fax allowed the
scribbled note because the medium was a sheet of flimsy paper
transferred instantaneously to the receiver. All inquiries faxed were
somehow more urgent, and thus there was less need for the formal
construction.
n order for there to be right-hand column of "qualifications", there
has to be a left-hand column of "requirements". Couldn't very well
use a Q letter if you weren't applying for a specific advertised
position, couldja? Couldn't you have figured that out?
