Eight Steps to Requesting a Reinstatement from Your Boss by Letter

Jordan Meyers reports:

"Getting fired or quitting your job doesn't always mean the permanent end of your employment relationship with a particular company. If you were an asset to the company in the past, you might have a chance at reinstatement. A successful bid for reinstatement often starts with a well-written letter. Your chances for success might be highest if you provide concise details and a compelling reason for rehire. Melodramatic explanations, on the other hand, could hurt your cause...Use a word processing program to set up a letter in business format. Type your address at the top of the page, including your street address, city and state. If you have a letterhead that includes this information, you do not need to type it again. Skip a line, and then type the current date...Type the contact information of the company or organization you want to petition for reinstatement. If you're seek[ing] reinstatement of your job, type the name of the company that employed you. Then type the company's official address, including [the] name [of] the contact person and the department name, such as your company's human resource department. You will need to learn this person's name in advance. Usually, you can do so by contacting the company's human resource department or the person officially responsible for hiring/firing...Write a salutation that includes the name of your contact person and his title. Use 'Mr.' or 'Dr.' for a man and 'Ms.,' 'Mrs.,' ['Miss'] or 'Dr.' for a woman. Ask which title the person uses when you call to obtain the contact person's name, or check for a title on any correspondence you have received from him. Write, 'Dear Mr./Miss/Mrs./Ms./Dr. Contact Name:' for the salutation...Type a detailed explanation of the reason for your letter. Explain that you seek reinstatement for the job you lost, and include the name of your position, the department in which you worked and the name of your direct supervisor. If you have an employee identification number, include that as well...Detail the reason you left the job and explain why and how the circumstances have changed...Express thanks for the consideration of your reinstatement request...Provide additional information the contact person may need to make a decision. Include your telephone number and email address so he can follow up with you quickly. Refer the reader to any attached documents that support your case...Close the reinstatement letter in a professional manner. Type 'Sincerely,' or '[T]hank you,' and then leave the space of four lines before typing your name. Sign your name in this space before mailing the letter. Type the word 'Enclosures' one line after your name to indicate any included documents."