Unit 2

Unit 2. Сorrespondence for job hunting

2.3 Making a decision

There are various reasons why a company may not offer a candidate a job, and these include lack of qualifications, competence, i.e. they do not think the applicant has the ability or experience to handle the post, or there are too many applicants of similar qualifications and ability, so the company makes a choice based on nothing more than the personality of the interviewee at the time of selection. Therefore, how you present yourself at an interview is as important as how you present yourself in your application. It is worth noting that it is rare for a candidate to be told why he or she has been refused.

Thank you for attending our selection board on (date), but we regret to tell you that you were not successful in your application. We hope you will be able to secure a position in the near future.

We regret to tell you that we are not able to offer you the post of (title) which you applied for on (date). We hope you will soon find the position you are looking for / hope you will be more successful in the future.

2. Offering a position

Letters to successful applicants can vary in length and detail depending on the type of post, whether the company has a standard printed contract, or if the position is so specialized that they need to give details of the terms of employment, see example at 1.3.4.

3. Openings

We are pleased to inform you that you were successful in your interview for (title) which you attended on (date).

Thank you for seeing us on (date). We are prepared to offer you the position of (title) which you applied for.

4. Details

As we discussed in your interview, your duties will include. . . Working hours are from 09.00 to 17.00, Monday to Friday, and overtime will be paid at time-and-a-half rates. You are entitled to all Bank Holidays, plus three weeks' vacation after one year's service. There is a Staff Contributory Pension Scheme, which you will be eligible to join after your first year of employment.

Enclosed with this letter you will find full details of your conditions and terms of employment. Please read these carefully and if you have any questions, contact me as soon as possible.

Would you please check the following which was agreed at your interview:

Title: Maintenance Engineer. Commence: 8.30, Monday 9th March 200-

Duties: Servicing all company products. Hours: 8.30 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. Days: Monday to Friday. Holidays: Three weeks annual leave, time at discretion Supervisor, plus all Public Holidays. Sick leave: Ten days per annum. Annual Pay: £12,000. Overtime: Time-and-a-half. Double time for Public Holidays. Pension: Non-Contributory Pension Scheme at 7% of annual pay.

Benefits: Subsidized staff canteen. Social Club. Full use of company vehicle.

Notice: One month's notice either side.

5. Close

Generally, a company will welcome the new employee, possibly inviting questions about the terms and conditions of employment (if anything is not clear), and ask for written confirmation of acceptance. In the UK, the law demands that firms offer contracts of employment, and these are often sent with letters offering a job, asking the applicant to sign one copy and return it with their confirmation.

I look forward to seeing you in my office at 09.00 a.m. on Monday 10 January 200-. If there are any questions concerning the enclosed conditions, please contact me immediately. Otherwise, return the enclosed Contract of Employment, signed, with your letter of acceptance.

Your Contract of Employment is attached to this letter. Please will you sign one copy and return it to the Personnel Officer, Mr T. Wright, with a note confirming you have accepted the position. I will see you at 08.00 on Monday 9th March, when I can welcome you to the organization and give you details of your duties.

2.4 Specimen letters

1. Letter offering position

Questions:

1. Which job has Ms Brice been selected for?

2. Why does she need to come to the office early?

3. Where will she find information about her conditions of employment?

4. When does this firm offer pay rises?

5. What must she do when she confirms she will take the job?

6. Does the firm offer anything else besides a salary?

7. Which words in the letter correspond to the following: become familiar, to work when needed, increases, benefits besides salary, money taken off purchases by employees, questions?

2. Letters confirming acceptance

2.5 Points to remember

1. The word job should not be used either in advertisements or applications. The terms vacancy, post, position, or opening are more appropriate.

2. If requesting an application form, keep the letter brief, but provide essential details about yourself. When returning the form, you should include a covering letter, expanding on details that might not be clear, or pointing out areas of your responsibility or your achievements. But keep this as brief as possible, as most application forms or your own c.v. should have a section where this information can appear.

3. When writing to a prospective employer, remember to explain why you left your previous post, but do not complain about the salary or conditions. Concentrate rather on the positive aspects of the post you are applying for, such as the greater potential for promotion, or your particular suitability for the type of work offered. Explain what you can offer your new employer in terms of experience or expertise, and why you particularly want the post.

Unit 2. ​Сorrespondence for job hunting

Unit 2. Сorrespondence for job hunting