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vantage of the offer you’ve made, or the advantages you’ve promised. After all, if
you’re going to participate in the hiring process, you’ve got to tell your reader how
to reach you.
Generally, this can be handled quickly and simply. This is not to suggest,
however, that this part of your letter is unimportant. On the contrary, instructing is
all too often overlooked or rushed through by jobhunters...and it’s a shame. This
step is as important as your opening. Why? Because the likelihood that your cor-
respondence will achieve the response you desire increases with each additional
word, and with each additional line your reader reads. So if your reader is still
with you at this point in your letter, chances are she’s interested in you. Therefore,
you want to get her while her interest level is high. What’s more, the simpler it is
to take the next step, the greater the chance is that the step will be taken. Therefore,
you want to make your instructions easy to understand, and even easier to follow.
To get the reader to respond to your letter, you’ve got to tell the reader what
to do, and be specific. Provide a complete address and telephone number at which
you can be reached. State whether the phone number is a work or home number.
If you prefer to be called during certain hours, say so. If confidentiality is an issue,
ask your reader to maintain it when contacting you.
If the next step is going to be yours, you’ve got to tell the reader what to ex-
pect. Be equally specific about what you will do. Say when you’ll follow up. Say
how you’ll follow up: by phone, by mail, by express mail, by messenger. Tell the
reader what information you’re enclosing with your letter, if any. If you’ll be for-
warding additional material, say when you will do so, or when it should arrive.
Finally, the hiring process will stop
RECRUITER’S TIP dead in its tracks if you don’t follow up as
you have promised. So do.
DON’T PLAY You’ll find examples of this vital step
HARD TO GET! in virtually every sample letter in this
A strong letter can make your book. Here are just a few:
reader want to contact you im-
mediately. Don’t miss this op- Samples of instructing.
portunity! Always position I look forward to hearing from you.
your telephone number so that My address and telephone numbers
the reader can’t miss it. Place it: are listed above.

Prominently at the top of I will wait to hear from you. My di-
each page of your resume. rect line at work is (555) 765-4321.
As part of your letterhead. Or you may call me at home at (555)
456-7890.
In the body of your letter.
I will await your response. You
Under your name and signa-
may reach me at home (555-456-
ture.
7890) or at work (555-765-4321).

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