Other Job Search Letters

BROADCAST LETTER

This is a generic, foot-in-the-door letter that you mass mail to numerous companies. (Use the Cover Letter Guidelines.)

• "Hook" the target reader with a catchy first sentence so they want to keep reading.
• Send 25 to 30 per week (200 total).
• Follow up with a phone call after 5 to 7 days to solicit information or an interview

Interview Follow Up (Thank You) Letter

After you have an interview, you should always send a follow-up letter within 24 hours.

Include:

• Names and titles of people you met. Send separate letters when possible.
• Concise but sincere wording.
• A summary of your expertise and experience that seemed to be of most interest to the interviewer and how you match the interviewer's/company's needs.
• Any information that you omitted during the interview or new answers to questions that you messed up!
• Thanks to the interviewer for their consideration of you for the job.
• An expression of your genuine excitement about and desire for the job.
• The date when you will next contact them or expect them to contact you.

Additional Interview Follow Up (Thank You) Letter Tips

JOB ACCEPTANCE LETTER

For your own protection, once you have received and accepted a job offer (Congratulations!), you should follow up by sending a formal acceptance letter. You do not want to be surprised at a later date by any misunderstood commitments.

• Confirm the receipt of the job offer.
• State your acceptance of the job.
• Show your pleasure and enthusiasm in accepting the new role, challenge or responsibility and the chance to make a contribution to the company.
• Review the terms of employment.
• Compensation figures or future compensation increases. If this is low, you will need to negotiate a desired compensation rate and package before agreeing to accept the job. This may include negotiating future raises based on satisfactory performance after a certain amount of time.
• Additional benefits or arrangements, e.g., company car, retirement, moving expenses, travel, training and probation periods.
• Incentives, e.g., commission, bonus, profit sharing, etc.
• Contract requirements.
• Starting date, time and place.

FOLLOW-UP TO A REJECTION LETTER

Though you may feel discouraged or even angry after receiving a rejection letter for a job, now is NOT the time to "burn bridges." Always see these moments as learning opportunities. Besides, you never know if you will face this employer or interviewer in the future!

• Request constructive feedback on why you were not selected.
• Ask if there are other positions in the company for which you are qualified.
• Thank them for their consideration.
• Maintain communication with the company contacts for future opportunities.

Back to What Are JOB SEARCH LETTERS?

Updated 07/01/09