Career Corner: Other job search letters

In addition to the cover letters accompanying resumes, there are several other kinds of letters used in correspondence with prospective employers. Every written communication you have with an employer is one more opportunity for you to demonstrate your motivation, communication skills and professionalism.

Thank-you letter: Everybody likes to be thanked, and this is a letter you should send after each job, field placement or informational interview. A few minutes of your time to thank an employer can reap big rewards for your future career. This is a short and direct letter expressing your appreciation for their time, information and any feedback they provided. It is also an opportunity for you to once more express your enthusiasm for the position. Write and send a thank you letter as soon as you get home from the interview.

Letters of withdrawal or refusal: If you are no longer interested in continuing your candidacy for a job within a particular company or you have accepted a job with another company, it is polite to send a withdrawal letter. Specify what position you had applied for and let them know of your decision and your reasons, and express appreciation for their consideration and time to this point. If you are refusing a job offer, the process is the same, but reassure them that you gave it serious consideration. Remember, you may not be interested in a particular job right now, but you want to keep the goodwill of this employer for the future.

Acceptance letter: When writing a letter accepting a job offer, state the position title and confirm details about the job offer (salary, hours, duties, start date and time). Express your appreciation of the offer.

All of the above should be positive, polite and to-the-point business letters and should be carefully typed and presented, preferably on the same paper you used for your resume and cover letter.

For assistance with correspondence or any other job searchrelated topics, please drop by the Career Services department in room D1063. You can contact our office by phone at 519-452-4294. Don't forget to check out the Fanshawe College Career Services website for job postings and related resources at www.fanshawec.ca/careerservices.