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benefits package – payments made by a company, such as medical insurance coverage, sick days, paid vacations, set / floating holidays, training / tuition reimbursement, subsidized company cafeterias, child day care, parking or traveling by public transportation reimbursement, purchasing their own product with large discounts, etc.

wear out one’s welcome – to abuse one’s hospitality, to exhaust one’s patience

to work for / in – preposition “in” is also possible, but it introduces an important difference: “to work for a firm” seems to suggest that you are part of the hierarchy, whereas “to work in a firm” indicates lower-echelon employment (e.g. mailboy, janitorial service, secretary, etc.)

for-profit organization – organization gaining money by trade or business non-for-profit organization – organization not intending or intended to earn a profit think-tank – a group or center organized to do intensive research and problem-solving give and take principle – exchange on an even basis

badmouth (smb. or smth.) – to find fault with (smb. or smth.), to criticize

entry-level positions – positions for those first entering the job market (e.g. recent graduates)

dry run – a test trip made by a person before the appointed day to check the route, time, etc.

get lost – loose one’s way going somewhere

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Unit 6 Follow Up

READING AND WRITING

Text 1

1.Answer the question before you read the text: Is the interview the last stage of your job hunt campaign?

2.Read the text. What is the proof of the effectiveness of your recent interview?

Follow up

In your job application campaign, you will have to write quite a number of follow-up letters* that will keep your name fresh in the employer’s mind and may help you get what you are after. Follow-up letters can do more good with less effort than any other step in your job search. You should write follow-up letters 1) when you have had no answer to your letter of application in two weeks, 2) after an interview, 3) when a company refuses you a job, 4) to accept or refuse a job.

When a company has not answered your original letter of application, write again. Be gracious, not complaining. Just remind the company of yourself and inquire about the status of your application. It should be a brief letter indicating 1) the date of your application and the position you seek. It may be a good idea to enclose a copy of your application letter and resume. 2) Ask them to inform you about the decision reached, and 3) express your hope of hearing from them soon. If you include a specific question in your letter, it may hasten a reply.

After an interview, follow up by writing a thank-you note. Thank-you notes may improve your chances of being hired since they establish you as a person who is mindful of manners and easy to work with. Besides, this is a polite gesture, often neglected, that may help the interviewer keep you in mind. It can also correct the last impression, if it gets read. So, be brief, most people never bother to read it in detail. Thank-you notes are supposed to be sent to every person you have met during the interview, within a week after the interview. It is

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acceptable to e-mail the note, to type it, or send a handwritten postcard. You may bring a stack of thank-you postcards, fill them out right after the interview, and leave them with the receptionist on your way out. Your purpose in writing it is to 1) thank the employer for taking time to see you, 2) restate your interest in the job, 3) remind the employer of your strengths that are consistent with the requirements of the job, 4) try to find out when they will get back in touch with you. Express your willingness to relocate in case the position requires it.

If you receive a rejection, good tactics dictates that you acknowledge the refusal. You should respond in writing, 1) thanking them for considering you. This courtesy can keep the doors open for a job in the future. 2) Express regret that no opening exists at the present time, and 3) express hope that they may consider you in the future. If you are not hired, you can get someone to talk to you on the phone and say that you plan to continue interviewing for this type of position and would like to know if they have any suggestions that may increase your chances for success in similar positions.

A job offer made to you by an employer can be verbal or written, by phone or a letter. It never hurts to request a written job offer to make it official. This letter may serve as part of your contract, so spell out the terms you are accepting. If you have already considered the offer, you can accept it immediately. An offer is irrevocable unless you accept it immediately. However, this is an important decision and no one would be surprised if you need more time to think. In this case, 1) acknowledge the receipt of the offer, 2) thank the employer for the interest and show an understanding of the terms stated, 3) ask for a written job offer. The communication does not mean that you are going to accept the offer. It simply means that you have received the offer and are considering it. Remember that an employer has a right to withdraw an offer any time prior to acceptance if it is not accepted immediately. You can accept an offer and withdraw it later. Most employers are used to it and will not hold a grudge* against you.

Writing an acceptance letter presents no problem. Respond to the offer as soon as possible. In the beginning, 1) thank the employer for the job; 2) accept it and refer to the date of the letter offering you the position, so that your reader need not waste time hunting for it; 3) settle when you will report for work, mention any pleasant associations from your interview, or any specific challenges you are anticipating. That would take no more than a paragraph. In the second paragraph, 4) express your plans to fulfill any further requirements for the job, such as going to the personnel office, having a copy of your certificate forwarded, taking a physical examination, etc.

Refusing a job offer can be difficult. Even if you refuse by phone, write a prompt and cordial refusal letter, giving your reasons and allowing for future possibilities. Since the employer had spent time and money interviewing you and corresponding with you, respond with courtesy. Be sure to avoid brevity when you have to refuse someone something. People appreciate your taking time to explain refusal.

Do not begin bluntly with the refusal, but 1) buffer the bad news by making it clear that you appreciate the offer, or by making a complimentary remark about the job, interview, or the company, 2) then move on to your refusal giving reasons why you are not taking the job. Most

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commonly, applicants refer to educational opportunities, work schedule, geographic preference, health reasons, or more relevant professional opportunities. End on a friendly note to show that despite the bad news, you want to keep the reader’s goodwill. Some day you may be interested in working for the company that you currently have to turn down*.

EXERCISES

3.Go back to the text and answer the following questions:

1)Why should you bother your potential employer with follow-up letters? 2) Are you sure that piles of thank-you notes will get read and not tossed off by a personnel officer? 3) How can you make your name stand out among many others? 4) Is it good to ask a person in charge of hiring any particular questions in your thank-you note? 5) Can getting a refusal be beneficial for an applicant? Why? 6) Why should you spell out the terms you are accepting? 7) Would you accept a job immediately or would you need some time to think? What will your decision depend on? 8) May the situation on the job market force you to accept the job? 9) Why may refusing of a job be difficult?

4.Would you agree with the strategies suggested below? What is wrong about these statements?

SI’m not going to bother my potential employer with any letter after the interview because s/he may think I’m too pushy.

SI’d rather not send my employer any letters, because I may end up driving him / her mad and will not be selected for the job.

SReceiving my letters would mean a lot more work for the hiring managers, keeping them busy reading and answering the letters.

SSo they haven’t hired me. I mean they’ve missed the opportunity to get the right person for the job. OK, they won’t hear from me any longer.

SAsking an employer for a written job offer is no good, because s/he may think I’m still looking and won’t be pleased.

SIf I answer their offer right away, they may think it’s my last chance of employment.

SIt would be safe to accept the offer immediately, because I may refuse it any time later.

STo refuse a job is easy. There’s no problem about that.

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5.Replace the words and phrases in italics by those from the text.

1)When a company has not answered your first letter of application, write again. 2) If you include a specific question in your letter, it may speed up a reply. 3) This is a polite gesture, often ignored, that may help the interviewer keep you in mind. 4) Your purpose is to remind the employer of your strengths that are adequate to the requirements of the job. 5) If you receive a rejection, good tactics dictates that you admit the refusal. 6) An offer cannot be taken back unless you accept it immediately. 7) Remember that an employer has a right to call back an offer any time prior to acceptance. 8) In the second paragraph express your plans to satisfy further requirements for the job, such as having a copy of your certificate sent on, etc. 9) Even if you refuse by phone, write an immediate and cordial refusal letter. 10) Some day you may be interested in working for the company that you currently refuse to consider.

STATUS OF YOUR APPLICATION

6. Study the model of a letter requesting the status of your application. Identify the functions each part of it serves.

Dear Mr. Hooper:

On March 15, 2002 I applied for the position of a research assistant with R & B, Inc. I have not heard from you since then, so I think my original letter might have been misplaced. I am enclosing a copy of it.

I would appreciate your letting me know if you have reached any decision concerning my application.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely yours,

7.The phrases below may help you inquire about the status of your application. Match the phrases in A with those in B to make complete sentences.

Model:

–Would you kindly inform me about the decision reached concerning my application?

–Would you kindly inform me if any decision has been reached concerning my application?

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A

–Would you kindly inform me / let me know about / if … .

–I will be much obliged if you inform me / let me know about … .

–I would be grateful to know about / if … .

–I would be very grateful for your letting me know about / if … .

–I would appreciate if you inform me / let me know about … .

B

–… about the decision reached concerning my application.

–… about the decision you have taken concerning my employment.

–… about the status of my application.

–… if the / any decision has already been reached / made concerning my application / employment.

–… if you have arrived at any decision about my employment / application.

8.Practice writing a letter requesting the status of your application.

THANK-YOU NOTES

9.Study the sample thank-you note written after the interview. Identify the functions of its parts.

Dear Mr. Hooper:

Thank you for having a talk with me last Tuesday about the position of a research assistant that you have open.

Working in your Research Department relates well to my experience and interests. A senior project which I am currently engaged in at the University deals with the estimation of relative quantities of silicon dope in the substrate. Would you like me to send you a copy?

I understand that my work with you would include relocation. This requirement presents no difficulty for me.

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Wednesdays and Thursdays are best for me for any future interviews that you may wish to set up, but I can arrange a time at your convenience.

With good wishes,

10.Below are given some phrases to be used in thank-you notes. Here are some ways

1)to express gratitude:

–Thank you again for your hospitality during my visit to your office.

–Thank you for considering me for the position of … (for meeting with me last Thursday / for speaking with me last Wednesday about the position you have open).

–Thank you for the time you spent to see me around (for taking the time yesterday to show me around your facilities and to introduce me to your colleagues).

–Thank you for sending me an application form which I am enclosing together with my resume.

–I appreciate your taking the time to show me around and introduce me to the people.

–I appreciate your considering me for the position of … .

–I would like to thank you for your time and interest.

2)to make some complimentary remarks about the interview:

–I enjoyed talking with you last Wednesday and learning about the … position.

–I enjoyed our visit and lunch very much. The trip and scenery were delightful.

–It was especially helpful to take a tour of … to see the problems it presents for a … position.

–I was happy that Mr. N took time to show me the equipment. Would it be possible for you to include a copy of the newsletter introducing this equipment to the employee?

–Your advances in … were particularly impressive. As a person with hands-on experience in … I can fully appreciate the advantages it presents for … .

3)to show continuing interest in the job:

–After meeting you and your colleagues and touring the laboratory, I know I could be a productive staff member.

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–Working in … relates well to my experience and interests. A study I am currently making as a senior project deals with … Would you like me to send you a copy?

–The vitality of your projects and the obvious good fellowship among your employees further confirm my initial belief that … would be a fine place to work.

–I am most interested in a position with your firm and I believe that many aspects of my present work are applicable to your business operation.

–Project coordination and administrative work are the areas I am most interested in pursuing.

4)to make a close:

–I look forward to hearing from you (to joining your staff).

–I would look forward to meeting with you again (to receiving a brochure about …).

–I will look forward to discussing with you some further details of … project.

5)to give additional information:

–I understand that my work with you would include relocation (alternating weekly night shifts with weekly day shifts). This requirement presents no difficulty (no problem) for me.

–Thursdays and Wednesdays are best for me for any further interviews you may wish to set up. But I can arrange a time at your convenience. (For further phrases see Unit 4.)

11.Go through the phrases again filling out the spaces. Combine several phrases to make complete statements to be used in a thank-you note.

Model:

Thank you for considering me for the position of research assistant in your

Environmental Control department.

12. Revise the follow-up letter to make it more effective. Suggest any reasonable detail.

Dear Mr. Hooper:

Thank you very much for showing me around your plant. I hope you realize now that I am the best person for the job.

Sincerely yours,

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13.Write a thank-you note to be used as a model for a number of similar letters to your prospective employers.

REFUSAL TO OFFER A JOB

14.Assume that, unfortunately, you received a NEGATIVE RESPONSE TO YOUR APPLICATION from the company you applied to. Study the sample letter below and identify its parts.

Dear Mr. Harvey:

Thank you very much for giving us opportunity to review your qualifications at your recent interview. We have considered your application carefully, but though we were favorably impressed by your professional background, I am sorry to inform you that R & B, Inc. will be unable to make you an offer for the position of Management Consulting Associate.

While we found your technical knowledge in the field well up to the standard required, it was felt by some members of our board that you seem to lack the basic skills of interpersonal communication necessary for this position.

Sincerely,

15.Study the follow-up letter ACKNOWLEDGING THE REFUSAL of the job. Identify the functions of its parts.

Dear Mr. Hooper:

Thank you very much for considering me for the position of Management Consulting Associate with your company. I really regret not having impressed you with my interpersonal communication skills, which I hope to improve in the future.

I would appreciate if you detailed more fully the reasons for not selecting me for the position. I am doing this not because I desire to change your decision but because I am interested in upgrading my qualifications for this sort of employment.

I remain in hope for future cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

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