Cover Letter

Prospecting Letter

Networking Letter

Thank You Letter

Acceptance Letter

Withdrawal & Rejection Letters

October 15, 20XX

 

(5 Spaces)

 

Signature Here

Length

Cut Out
Superfluous words & repetition
Long sentences

Add
1 precise word in place of phrases

Keep
Sentences 10-20 words
Paragraphs under 5 lines

• Don't omit important info.

• Don't ramble.

• Don't copy and paste from previous jobs.

• Don't be too casual or too stuffy.

• Don't be boring.

• Don't be aggressive.

• Don't brag or be self-deprecating.

• Don't use "Dear Sir or Madam."

• Don't repeat résumé.

• Don't use form letters.

• Don't have any errors.

Sample Cover Letter
-"Job Choices For Business and Liberal Arts Students: 2009" NACE (Adaptation)

Reveal your purpose and interest and outline your strongest qualifications.  Suggest an action plan and express appreciation.

March 14, 20XX

Maria Lopez

500 ABC Avenue

Kirksville, MO 63501

Ms. Mary Lou Nelson

Manager of Human Resources

Continental Industries, Inc.

2900 Rosemont Blvd.

Rosemont, IL 60018

Dear Ms. Nelson:

I am applying for the web developer position that was advertised with Truman State University's Career Center this week. The position seems to fit very well with my education, experience, and career interests.

Your position requires skills in various types of programming and software used in web development. My academic program in computer science emphasized C, C++, .NET, PHP, Visual Basic, Assembler, Java, and MSSQL. In addition, I have extensive experience using several software packages in web development, including Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects, and Dreamweaver Microsoft Visual Studio. My experience as a department computer consultant gave me exposure to PC (Windows 2007, NT, XP, Vista) and Macintosh OSX platforms as well as Microsoft Active Directory Novell and NT LANs. Additionally, I worked as a summer intern in computing operations for a major city newspaper where I gained knowledge of enterprise systems, content management systems, and e-commerce operations. My enclosed résumé provides more details on my qualifications.

My background and career goals seem to match your job requirements well. I am confident that I can perform the job effectively. Furthermore, I am genuinely interested in the position and in working for Continental Industries, Inc. Your firm has an excellent reputation and comes highly recommended.

Would you please consider my request for a personal interview to discuss my qualifications and to learn more about this opportunity? I will call you next week to see if a meeting can be arranged. Should you need to reach me, please feel free to contact me at 636/555-4388 or lopez@truman.edu.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to talking with you.

Sincerely yours,
 

 Maria Lopez  
 

Maria Lopez
Enclosure: Resume and Application

Sample Prospecting Letter
-"Job Choices For Business and Liberal Arts Students: 2009" NACE (Adaptation)

Outline your qualifications for the organization's needs and market your personal qualities and motivation.  Suggest an action plan and express appreciation. 

January 16, 20XX

John Chen

2555 Florence

Kirksville, MO 63501

Mr. Brett Newkirk

Director of College Recruiting

Greenlife Conservancy

4500 Randolf Drive

St. Louis, MO 63102

Dear Mr. Newkirk:

I discovered your organization while researching on idealist.org and would like to inquire about employment opportunities in your human resources department. I am interested in working in the  

non-profit sector and would like to return to the St. Louis area after graduation.

I will receive my Bachelor of Science degree in business administration this May from Truman State University. My   interest in non-profits started in high school when I volunteered at a local

wildlife preserve equipped to educate visiting students.  This interest further developed through a variety of jobs during college including my internship for the city of St. Louis where I worked on

the city's annual Earth Day festivities. When I researched the top non-profits in St. Louis, Green Construction emerged as having an important mission, an excellent training program, and a solid

reputation. In short, you provide the kind of professional environment I seek.

My résumé is enclosed for your consideration. My education and experience match the qualifications you seek, but they  don't tell the whole story. I know from supervisor feedback that I have the

organizational and interpersonal skills you seek.

I know you must have many demands on your time, but I would appreciate a few minutes of your time. I will call you during the week of January 23 to discuss employment possibilities. In the

meantime, if you need to contact me, my number is 847/491-8843 and my e-mail is j-chen@northwestern.edu.

Thank you very much for considering my request. I look forward to talking with you.

Sincerely,

John Chen

John Chen

Sample Networking Letter
-"Job Choices For Business and Liberal Arts Students: 2009" NACE (Adaptation)

Make a connection between you and the reader and state your purpose without pressuring the reader.  Request a meeting a mutually convenient time and state that you will call to make the arrangements.

November 11, 20XX

Allison Harris

100 E. Normal

Centennial Hall 300

Kirksville, MO 63501                                                                                         

Jennifer Hundahl, M.S.N

National Institute of Health

10 Center Drive

Bethesda, MD 20893

Dear Ms. Hundahl:

Dr. Charlene Carr, professor of nursing at Truman State University, suggested that I contact you. She thought that, as an alumna, you would be in an excellent position to assist me with a career decision.

As a nursing student, I am exploring which career environment to pursue. Hospital, physician's office, and public health nursing environments all sound interesting to me at this point, but I want to go into my campus interviews next semester with a clear sense of direction. I would like to get your advice on the long-term career implications of each path.

I will call you next week to see if we can arrange a brief meeting at your convenience. Thank you for considering my request.

Sincerely,

Allison Harris

Allison Harris

Sample Thank You Letter
-"Job Choices For Business and Liberal Arts Students: 2009" NACE (Adaptation)

Make your letter warm and personal expressing sincere appreciation.  Reemphasize qualifications and draw attention to match.  Reiterate interest and offer supplemental information. 

                                                                                                         February 27, 20XX

Dear Mr. Spalding,

I want to thank you very much for interviewing me yesterday for the graphic design position. I enjoyed meeting you and learning more about your clientele and design work.

My enthusiasm for the position and my interest in working for AES were strengthened as a result of the interview. I think my education and work experience in Truman's Publications department fit nicely with the job requirements,and I am sure that I could make a significant contribution to the company over time.

I want to reiterate my strong interest in the position and in working with you and your staff. You provide the kind of opportunity I seek. Please feel free to contact me at 660/555-2225 or rr55@truman.edu if I can provide you with any additional information.

Again, thank you for the interview and your consideration.

Sincerely,

Robert Rameriz

Sample Acceptance Letter
-"Job Choices For Business and Liberal Arts Students: 2009" NACE (Adaptation)

Confirm, accept and reaffirm employment decision.  Confirm logistics.  Express appreciation for the opportunity. 

April 24, 20XX
 

Audra Nappi

1010 Main St.

Kirksville, MO 63501

Mr. Jack Wisniewski, Division Manager

Data International Corporation

1212 Corporation Lane

Northbrook, IL 60022

Dear Mr. Wisniewski:

I am writing to confirm my acceptance of your employment offer of April 20 and to tell you how delighted I am to be joining Data International in Northbrook. The work is exactly what I have prepared to perform and hoped to do. I feel confident that I can make a significant contribution to the corporation, and I am grateful for the opportunity you have given me.

As we discussed, I will report to work at 8:00 a.m. on July 5 and will have completed the medical examination and drug testing by the start date. Additionally, I shall complete all insurance forms for the new employee orientation. I look forward to working with you and your fine team. I appreciate your confidence in me and am very happy to be joining your staff.

Sincerely,

Audra Nappi

Audra Nappi

Sample Withdrawal Letter
-"Job Choices For Business and Liberal Arts Students: 2009" NACE (Adaptation)

State your decision and provide an explanation.  Express appreciation for the employer's consideration and courtesy. 

April 20, 20XX

Heather Ferguson

725 Franklin St, #321

Kirksville, MO 63501

Ms. Melissa Lang

Director, Human Resources

Irvine Regional Hospital

8989 Wagner Rd.

Irvine, CA 92618

Dear Ms. Lang:

I am writing to inform you that I am withdrawing my application for the physical therapist position. As I indicated in my interview with you, I have been exploring several employment possibilities. This week I was offered a position with a local hospital and, after careful consideration, I decided to accept it. The position provides a very good match for my interests at this point in my career.

I want to thank you very much for interviewing and considering me for your position. I enjoyed meeting you and learning about your hospital. I wish you and your staff well.

Sincerely,

Heather Ferguson

 Heather Ferguson

Sample Rejection Letter
-"Job Choices For Business and Liberal Arts Students: 2009" NACE (Adaptation)

Show professionalism by acknowledging the offer, show thoughtful consideration and express appreciation.

March 15, 20XX

Melody Taylor

1216 Monroe St.

Kirksville, MO 63501

Mr. George Duvall, Senior Chemist

Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp.

1700 Colonial Parkway

Williamsburg, VA 23176

Dear Mr. Duvall:

Thank you very much for offering me the position of chemical technician with Ciba Specialty Chemicals Corp. I appreciate your discussing the details of the position with me and giving me time

to consider your offer.

You have a fine organization and there are many aspects of the position that are very appealing to me. However, I believe it is in our mutual best interests that I decline your kind offer. This has been a difficult decision for me, but I believe that it is the appropriate one for my career at this time.

I want to thank you for the consideration and courtesy given to me. It was a pleasure meeting you and your fine staff.

Sincerely,

Melody Taylor

Melody Taylor