Negative messages in business

You are a recent college graduate and are applying for a number of jobs. Unfortunately, you receive two offers on the same day and need to accept one and decline the other. Write a letter to the hiring manager (see below) explaining your acceptance of another offer, keeping in mind the five goals of delivering bad news, found on page 294. You select the scenario that is most applicable to your current situation.

Preparation:
Review Chapter 11: Writing Negative Messages (Especially pages 294-296).

Format:
Use the modified block letter format for this assignment. Please refer to pages 584-586 for an explanation of the block and modified block formats. The example in your book on page 585 is a block letter format letter while the example on page 586 is a modified block letter format. Please note the differences carefully.

There are two main ways to format a negative message letter; directly or indirectly. You can find comparisons of these strategies on page 294. For this exercise, you will be utilizing the direct approach, since you do not need to maintain any formal relationship with the organization you are declining. Follow the organization on page 298 as a guide.

The format of your letter tells the reader a lot about you and your professionalism. Since you do not want to completely cut ties, it is important to leave a lasting respectful impression. Pay particular attention to your letter's margins, line spacing, font type and size, and placement of letter parts such as the return address, date, inside address, salutation, complimentary close, and signature block.

The information for the job you are declining is: Assistant Manager, Hilton Corporation.

The contact person for this position is: Terrence Walters, Hiring Manager, Hilton Corporation, 555 SW 8th St., Miami, FL 33199.

RECOMMENDED ORGANIZATION
Introduction/Opening: Begin your letter with the bad news. The indirect approach includes a buffer, however, the direct approach does not. Be sure to remain professional and concise in this section to not sound rude or ungrateful for the opportunity.

Body/Discussion:
In the first paragraph of the body include your reasons for the decision, without too much detail about the other position. Having the right balance of ambiguity is respectful to the employer you are declining. Use creativity when developing reasons for taking the other position over theirs.