Writing professional letters throughout your internship and job search indicates effective written communication skills to employers.
A cover letter allows you to personalize your application – providing the employer with specific information about your interest in their organization and the position and addressing how you are specifically qualified.
If nothing else, make sure your cover letter is specific for each job application! Don't have a general form that you use for each job. Instead, tailor it to the position. There is a specific structure for a cover letter. Each section is listed below in order from top to bottom.
To see what a cover letter should look like, download our sample Cover Letter Format (pdf).
Cover letters can be frustrating and even overwhelming to come up with on your own. Learn how to write a solid cover letter so you stand out and impress employers. Watch the Cover Letter Video
An opportunity might arise where it is necessary to write a letter to an on-campus recruiter or job fair employer in order to secure an interview. Similar to a letter of application, the purpose of the letter is to highlight your qualifications and career interests to the employer.
To see what a pre-screen or pre-interview letter should look like, download the Pre-Interview Letter (pdf).
Once your application has been screened by an employer, you may be granted an opportunity to interview with the organization. This interview could be a site visit, over the telephone, virtual or on-campus. If time permits, you may wish to confirm the arrangements made for the interview, which can demonstrate responsibility and organization.
To see what an interview confirmation letter should look like, download our sample Interview Confirmation Letter (pdf).
We strongly recommend sending a thank you letter after each interview. Because so few candidates send these, thank you letters can leave a favorable impression on your employer. Email is best with thank you letters, as employers could be making decisions within a short time frame. Also keep in mind that the longer you wait to send a thank you letter, the less impact your letter will have on the employer.
A thank you letter should:
Thank you letters should also be sent after informational meetings, network meetings or any time that an individual has significantly impacted your job search, like when you ask an individual to write you a letter of recommendation.
To see what a thank you letter should look like, download our sample Thank You Letter (pdf).
Employers will differ in how they extend an offer of employment to a candidate, In either case, it may be necessary to clarify aspects of the offer prior to your final decision.
To see what a job offer clarification and acknowledgement letter should look like, download our Job Offer Clarification and Acknowledgement Letter (pdf).
Accepting a job offer is fun, especially after all the hard work you did during the application process! Most organizations will ask that you call and give a verbal commitment. This enables the organization to act quickly to close the search and to prepare any necessary paperwork for you to complete. If writing an acceptance letter, keep the following in mind:
To see what a job offer acceptance letter should look like, download our sample Job Offer Acceptance Letter (pdf).
Even if you decline a job offer during a telephone conversation, it is a professional courtesy to decline the offer in writing. Remember that it's unprofessional to send a letter of declination prior to contacting the organization by telephone. By being tactful and appreciative in your letter, it'll help you avoid hurting your chances of being considered for future job opportunities with that organization.
To see what a job offer declination letter should look like, download our sample Job Offer Declination Letter (pdf).
Many times, you may want to speak with a professional in the workforce to obtain information about a career field, an organization or advice on preparing for a specific career. It's hard to know what you want to do in your career, and informational meetings can be a great way of finding this out! When contacting alumni or professionals regarding an informational meeting, it is best to do so in writing so they will know what is expected of him or her.
To see what a networking or informational meeting letter should look like, download our sample Networking or Informational Meeting Letter (pdf).
The purpose of any job search correspondence is to highlight your qualifications and distinguish yourself from your competition. Quality, well-written correspondence can be extremely powerful and highlight your written communication skills. If you send several letters to the same organization, keep them organized in case you need to make reference to any of the letters during your job search. If you’re unsure about sending a letter, it is best to err on the side of caution and send written correspondence.
Not sure where to start? Get in touch and we will figure it out together.