- After receiving an application or cover letter, your response should assure the sender that you have received the resume and that you will consider it carefully.
- When extending an invitation for an interview or making a job offer, your letter should be direct and encouraging, but not overbearing.
- All the details that have been agreed upon in a phone conversation job offer should be formalized in writing. Include, for example, important information such as the agreed-upon start date for employment, job title and additional details about responsibilities, job location, and starting salary.
- A written job offer eliminates misunderstandings and clarifies important details. Use this opportunity to make the applicant feel positive about employment with you. In discussing the offer, be careful not to imply more than you are sure you can deliver. Also, you may want to use this letter to ask your reader to provide proof of legal employment eligibility.
- As you write the letter, be thorough, but concise. Omit irrelevant details and communicate the facts. On the other hand, make sure that the information you send is clear and complete so that you do not have to answer a barrage of questions later.
- When offering a position to someone who has not applied for the job, remember that this can be a sensitive task, especially if that person is already employed by someone else. For this to be an effective letter, you must convince your prospective employee that a position with your company would be much better than his or her current job.
- When accepting a job offer, begin by identifying the position. Express sincere appreciation for the offer, and indicate the enthusiasm you have for the new position.
- If you wish to include conditions in your response letter to a job offer, be certain that they are important enough to you that you are willing to jeopardize the offer rather than accept it as it is written. Be positive and respectful, and make sure that the reader realizes that you would like to accept the offer.
- If you are sincerely interested in a position, but need more time to make your decision, express your appreciation for the job offer, and specify the amount of additional time you are requesting. You may wish to include some of the details of the offer, if you need to clarify anything. Before closing your letter, indicate the date by which you will respond with a decision.
- When writing a letter to decline a job offer, promotion, transfer, or similar opportunity, express your appreciation and decline the offer graciously.
- If you decide not to hire a job applicant, it is a nice gesture to write a letter informing the person of that fact. It is best to write this courtesy letter as soon as you have decided not to hire the applicant(s).
- If you want to follow up with an employer during a job search after a lapse of time, a letter will remind the person of your name and qualifications, as well as you interest in securing the position.