Sample letter to request for references.

Further things to consider when writing request letters to job candidates

Request Letters

Request letters are letters written to ask formally or politely for something. Any matter that requires a humble and polite appeal can be put forward using a request letter. It could be a job interview, a promotion, or a favor; a request letter will get the job done. A request letter can be formal or informal depending on the recipient. If you are requesting a friend to do a task for you, for instance, you can choose to go informal. But if you are requesting your manager for a promotion, the letter has to be formal. Either way, a request letter must be sent early enough to give the recipient ample time to process and respond to the request.

When writing request letters, you need to be brief and direct, avoiding any auxiliary information that might weaken the message you are conveying. State exactly and clearly what you are requesting for giving reasons for it. If you are requesting for a raise, for example, explain in details why you think you deserve one. Maintain a polite tone throughout the letter. Close the letter by thanking the recipient in advance and expressing your anticipation for his/her consideration.

Letters to Job Candidates

Letters to job candidates are letters sent to applicants who are being considered for certain job positions. These could be acceptance letters to let the candidates know that they have been accepted, rejection letters to unsuccessful candidates, or job offer letters to officially offer job positions to the candidates. In all situations, a letter to a job candidate should be professional, thoughtful, and kind. Although you may think that it's unnecessary to write to a candidate after an unsuccessful interview, there is nothing more unkind than leaving a candidate waiting and wondering. Letters to job candidates are essential in that they eliminate doubts and confusion after an interview.

The best letters to job candidates are professionally and formally written. Use proper address and salutation for the candidate. Start by congratulating the candidate for his/her time. Proceed directly to conveying the intended message. If the candidate has been accepted and offered the job, state so clearly and provide more information about the position. However, if the candidate has been rejected, communicate this assertively and invite him/her to apply in the future. Make the letter short, clear, and to the point and avoid providing unnecessary details. End on a positive note.