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Letters Concerning Employment

This resource was written by Lindsay Trawick and Purdue OWL.
Last full revision by .
Last edited by Dana Lynn Driscoll on July 18th 2007 at 2:54PM

Summary: This section covers writing additional correspondence beyond cover letters including reference requests, interview follow-up letters, inquiry letters, acceptance and rejection letters, request for further negotiations letters and thank you letters.

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Letters Concerning Employment

For some students, the job-seeking process involves interviews at the University Placement Service and visits to company headquarters; for other job-seekers, it means sending job applications with resumes and hopefully receiving invitations for interviews at company offices. In either case, you will find that additional correspondence will not only be necessary but will also enhance your chances of being the applicant chosen for the job.

The secrets to the success of these letters are in part your timing and also the exactness of detail. Do not allow your letter to sound like every one else's. Avoid using the clichés and generalizations found in so many employment letters. It is also good advice to stay away from form letters. The purpose of your letter is to make yourself stand out from other applicants. If you utilize the aid of a form letter, you may finish your letter quickly, but it will likely be ordinary and lack the finesse to get your qualifications noticed.

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