Workplace Correspondence

Question

Scenario: The Director of Human Resources has tasked you with the hiring of a new executive assistant for your office.

Letter A

After you interview the job applicants, you will need to write an offer letter to the candidate of your choice—Mary Jones. Using the business letter format, write an offer letter. The offer letter should include the following information:

Cordial opening statement that gives the company’s name and the position you are offering the candidate

Start date

Specific information about salary, benefits, and performance bonuses

Instructions for accepting the job offer. For example, you probably want to include a form or statement that the applicant must sign to indicate they are a U.S. citizen and agree to the offer / salary. Be sure to tell the applicant where he or she should send this form.

Complimentary closing statement

Letter B

A colleague of yours, Michael Lee, also applied for the position that you offered to Mary Jones. You must write him a letter telling him he did not receive the job. However, remember that he is a valued employee and colleague, and you do not want him to leave the company. This letter should include

Greeting

Buffer with bad news

Proof that you looked at all sides of the issue

Your opinion

Action step (please do not quit)

Closing