Additional Jobhunting Letters

Chapter 9
Additional Jobhunting Letters
Effective networking pays off not only in your current job search, but in any you
may undertake in the future, as well. For this reason, it’s imperative that you treat
with respect anyone with whom you have had contact during the jobhunt. You
never know who may provide your next lead or job offer! So it pays to take a few
minutes to acknowledge your interaction with those you encounter. If not, you
can certainly predict who will not provide your next lead or job offer!
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The Reference Request: Always get permission to use someone as a
reference. In many cases, this may be done by telephone. But when
you choose to write, make your letter straightforward and to the
point. Supply the person who will be serving as your reference with
information on anyone who might be contacting him or her to discuss
your qualifications. If you know who will be contacting your refer-
ence, say so; provide names, titles, companies, and state the position
for which you are interviewing. If you can’t be specific, describe the
types of positions for which you’ll be interviewing. Always send a
copy of your resume to the person serving as your reference—either
with your request or afterwards. You’ll find sample Reference Re-
quest Letters later in this chapter.
■
The Meeting Confirmation: On rare occasions you may wish to con-
firm a meeting or an interview in writing. Such letters are always
short, polite, and to the point. Reconfirm all pertinent details: date,
time, location, with whom you’ll be meeting, what you’ll bring, what
they’ll bring, for what position you’re interviewing, etc. By all means,
reconfirm your interest in the position or the company by making
your letter sound enthusiastic! Samples follow.
(Note: If you’re using your confirmation as an excuse to make a
premeeting sales pitch to your interviewer or to provide additional

information prior to a second meeting, you’re really writing an Ad
Response/Resume Cover Letter or a Follow-up Letter; refer to the
chapters that focus on these letters.)
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The Job Acceptance: If you choose to write one, your Acceptance Let-
ter should be short, precise, and to the point. In it, you can simply say
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“yes” to a job offer. Or you can confirm, in writing, the results of your
jobhunting, interview, and negotiation efforts: the terms of your em-
ployment agreement. Remember that whatever you put in writing
stays on the record. So be certain your facts are accurate.
■
The Negotiation of an Offer: Typically, negotiating a job offer is han-
dled in person or by phone, and often by a recruiter or placement
agent. If you find that you must negotiate in writing, be clear and to
the point. Justify your requests with support points that are important
to the reader. Above all, remember that whatever you put in writing
is on the record forever. Don’t exaggerate, prefabricate, or make
promises you can’t keep.
■
The Offer Rejection: Whether or not you’ve turned down a job offer
in person, you may wish to put it in writing as well. You may, for ex-
ample, be asked to put your rejection in writing for the company’s
records, or you may wish to do so for your own records. (If, however,
you’re writing to maintain friendly relations so that you may be con-
sidered for future positions, this is a Follow-up Letter.) If the inter-
view process was lengthy, you may wish to give a reason for your de-
cision. (“Although you had...I chose to...”) Generally, there’s no need
to say where you’ve accepted an alternate job, especially if you’ve
moved to a new field. If the person you’re writing has gone out of his
or her way on your behalf, be sure to acknowledge this kindness.

■
The Letter of Resignation: Congratulations! Your hard work paid off
with a job offer that you’ve accepted. Now comes the fun part: quit-
ting your old one!
You ’ve heard the advice of the experts, “Don’t burn your bridges.”
They counsel against composing a scathing, biting attack on your old
boss, your mean spirited co-workers, the associate who sabotaged
you, and the negative corporate culture. And they’re right because
you never know where these people will land when they switch
jobs—perhaps at the firm you’ve longed to work for all your life. Who
knows? You might be asked to return and serve as their boss one day!
(Isn’t revenge sweet?)
So now is the time to write a professional, positive letter of resig-
nation. You simply state that you are relinquishing your position and
when. That is all you are required to do, although few people stop at
that. The following sample letters demonstrate several alternative
methods for resigning: the happy camper, the disgruntled (but pro-
fessional employee), and the one who “plays it close to the vest.”
Choose your own style—just remember, whatever you put on
paper remains on the record forever!
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LETTER 9-1: REFERENCE REQUEST—STUDENT
This jobhunter maintained the pleasant tone of voice she used in this letter in her subse-
quent Thank-You Letter (which you’ll find in Chapter 7) to Professor Price.
246
Professor James Price
Economics Department
State University
University City, MO 09876

Dear Professor Price:
After all you’ve done for me -- as professor,
advisor, and friend -- do I dare ask for more? Well,
I must, so here it goes. Would you be willing to
serve as a reference for me in my job search?
As you know, I’d like to join the training program of
a financial services organization in the St.
Louis area. In fact, I have already interviewed with
three firms, each of which has asked me to provide
references. With your permission, I will have the
following people contact you:
1. John Brunswick, Loan Officer
St. Louis Federal Bank
2. Muriel Howard, Vice President
Credit Services
Clayton Bank and Trust
3. Leslie Rubin, President
South County Credit Union
Knowing how busy your schedule is this time of year,
I shall call your office next Wednesday during the
late afternoon to see whether you’re able to speak
with these people.
I thank you in advance for your time and help.
Fondly,
Jennifer Lawrence
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LETTER 9-2: REFERENCE REQUEST
247
Mr. Ronald H. Burke
President

Burke Enterprises
245 East 42 Street
New York, NY 09876
Dear Ron:
I hope this letter finds you well and prosperous. During my 1999−2002
tenure at Burke Enterprises, your insistence on premier product
innovations was legendary. Since then, I have kept abreast of Burke’s
impressive growth, so I know that your admonitions are still being
heeded.
As you may recall, I left Burke when my wife’s firm sent her to
California to open a west coast division. After two years with the
government, I am now in the process of continuing my career in product
development, and would consider it an honor to add your name to the
top of my list of references.
With your approval, I will authorize representatives of firms with which
I am in the final stages of the selection process to contact you. I have
enclosed an updated resume with this letter to remind you of my
qualifications—and I will call you shortly to see whether you might be
willing to assist me. If so, I will provide you, in advance, with the
names of those who may be in touch with you.
Ron, I was grateful for your thoughtfulness and support when I was part
of the Burke team, and I am equally grateful now for your help.
All best,
Stuart Goodman
(555) 456-7890 home
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LETTER 9-3: MEETING CONFIRMATION
248
Ms. Loretta Smits
Personnel Officer

HealthCom, Inc.
340 Woodside Drive
Pleasantville, NY 09876
Dear Ms. Smits:
I am looking forward to meeting you on January 12, 20XX at 3:00 p.m.
at the Pleasantville Hyatt to discuss the programming position in your
eastern division.
I feel certain that my training and practical experience will prove
valuable to you, and I am eager to provide you with details on my
background.
Until then I am sincerely,
Alfred Strong
(555) 456-7890
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