2024-2025 Purdue University Career Planning Handbook

The Job Offer Job offer correspondence helps to effectively and professionally communicate your career actions and choices.

HELPFUL HINTS • Address your letterhead to a specific person within the company, if possible • Follow-up to your correspondence if you do not get a response after 2 weeks • Use email to maintain contact and keep track of correspondence both sent and received

HEADING FORMAT Your Street Address City, State, Zip code Today’s Date Recipient’s Name / Title

CLOSING FORMAT

Company Name Street Address City, State, Zip code Dear Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr. ______

THANK-YOU LETTER

LETTER OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENT • Send within 24 hours after the interview • Reiterate your interview date and time, as well as your interest in the employer and your strongest selling points. Opening sentence: Express your appreciation to the employer for meeting with you. Recall something specific that you dis cussed such as what you learned about them, the opportunity you are applying for, or a common interest you share with the interviewer. Middle sentence: Add any information you failed to mention in the interview. Tell the interviewer about a skill that might fur ther convince him/her/they of your value to the organization Closing sentence: Reiterate your interest and enthusiasm in the position. State something you are looking forward to in the position. Let the interviewer know how he/she/they can contact you. • Do not delay your acknowledgement of a received invitation or offer – procrastination makes a bad impression. • Restate the title of the position and salary. Express your appreciation for the offer. Indicate the date that you will let the company know your decision. LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE • Indicate your acceptance of the offer of employment – restate the position, compensation, classification and starting date (if previously established). • Express your appreciation, excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to work for the employer. • Inform employer of any travel plans if relocation is necessary. Opening sentence: Express your appreciation to the employer for meeting with you. Express your enthusiasm for receiving the job offer. Reveal 1-2 aspects of the position or organization you are looking forward to experiencing. Identify skills you are looking forward to developing or utilizing. Closing sentence: Reiterate your continued interest for your upcoming career opportunity. Let the interviewer know how he/she/they can contact you.

CAREER DECISION MAKING

LETTER OF DECLINE • Provide a brief explanation of why you chose to decline the employment offer. • Express your appreciation for the offer and for the time that the company has invested in you.

Opening sentence: Express your appreciation to the employer for meeting with you. Express your regret that you will not be accepting the offer. Closing sentence: Extend your sincere best wishes to the organization and those with whom you met. If you are open to being contacted, let the interviewer how he/she/they can contact you.

OFFER, NEGOTIATION, ETHICS!

www.cco.purdue.edu 53