Assignment Task: You work as a manager for a large London-based company (choose one or make up a name) and it is mid-August 2022. Last week, you had a conversation with John Stanton, a successful business consultant with whom you worked very well on several occasions in the past. While you were talking about your families, he mentioned that his son was just about to finish his second semester of study in a Business Program at Fanshawe College, and then he suggested that you should hire him as a co-op student over the Fall Term (SeptemberDecember). You carefully avoided making a promise. First, you mentioned that you went to Fanshawe, too, and commented positively on how much the Lawrence Kinlin School of Business has grown over the years. Next, you mentioned that your company hires co-op students from various Fanshawe programs twice a year, and that you always collect applications several months in advance, so that you can make your selections for the Fall and Winter terms. (You have not served on the Selection Committee for the last round, but you have done it several times in the last few years, so you are familiar with the process.) You assumed that John Stanton understood that there are clear procedures in place for hiring co-op students at your company, and that he would inform his son, so he could apply for the next round - and John Stanton did not insist. However, now you've just received an unsolicited application from Tim Stanton, who wants to know if he can start working in your company in September. You cannot offer Stanton's son a co-op position, because your company has already selected two co-op students for the Fall Term, at the end of an application process that included an examination of the students' portfolios, as well as a series of interviews (the students had submitted their application packages months earlier, as required). You are also a little stunned by Tim's attitude, as you would have expected a student from a reputable Fanshawe program to be more aware of professional expectations in such situations. You thought Tim might apply for a co-op in the future, following the proper procedures, rather than expect to be accepted overnight. You will have to reject Tim Stanton's request, but you do not want to offend his father in the process. Consider the power dynamic involved and choose your words carefully. As a professional with some power of decision in this circumstance, you want to come across as clear and in control, but also kind, considerate, forward-looking, and positive. You know that you might have to work with John Stanton in the future and do not want your future interactions to be affected negatively by this situation
Your Task:
Write an indirect pattern letter to Tim Stanton. Reject his request but seek to present your case so that you can maintain a good relationship with John Stanton. (You are writing to the son, but you are certain that the father will read the letter, too.) Use your critical thinking, communication, and writing skills to compose a letter that will be received positively or at least neutrally, in spite of the bad news it has to convey.