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Chapter 9
A Additional Jobhunting Letters
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T
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O Effective networking pays off not only in your current job search, but in any you
N
A may undertake in the future, as well. For this reason, it’s imperative that you treat
L with respect anyone with whom you have had contact during the jobhunt. You
never know who may provide your next lead or job offer! So it pays to take a few
J
O minutes to acknowledge your interaction with those you encounter. If not, you
B can certainly predict who will not provide your next lead or job offer!
H
U The Reference Request: Always get permission to use someone as a
N reference. In many cases, this may be done by telephone. But when
T you choose to write, make your letter straightforward and to the
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N point. Supply the person who will be serving as your reference with
G information on anyone who might be contacting him or her to discuss
your qualifications. If you know who will be contacting your refer-
L
E ence, say so; provide names, titles, companies, and state the position
T for which you are interviewing. If you can’t be specific, describe the
T types of positions for which you’ll be interviewing. Always send a
E copy of your resume to the person serving as your reference—either
R
S with your request or afterwards. You’ll find sample Reference Re-
quest Letters later in this chapter.
The Meeting Confirmation: On rare occasions you may wish to con-
firm a meeting or an interview in writing. Such letters are always
short, polite, and to the point. Reconfirm all pertinent details: date,
time, location, with whom you’ll be meeting, what you’ll bring, what
they’ll bring, for what position you’re interviewing, etc. By all means,
reconfirm your interest in the position or the company by making
your letter sound enthusiastic! Samples follow.
(Note: If you’re using your confirmation as an excuse to make a
premeeting sales pitch to your interviewer or to provide additional
information prior to a second meeting, you’re really writing an Ad
Response/Resume Cover Letter or a Follow-up Letter; refer to the
chapters that focus on these letters.)
The Job Acceptance: If you choose to write one, your Acceptance Let-
ter should be short, precise, and to the point. In it, you can simply say

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