Giving suggestions is easier than taking them. Ideally only those people should even think of giving suggestions that are themselves open to taking them.
A Suggestion Letter is the one that is written advising someone to do something. It is generally written to a person who is not able to take decisions in certain situations. A Suggestion Letter should be very tactfully written so that the reader does not feel as if s/he is being ordered around. But the writer should be mentally prepared that her/his suggestion may or may not be accepted.
Someone who has been solicited for a suggestion usually writes a Suggestion Letter. One should never write a Suggestion Letter without being asked for – it will never be welcomed. While writing a Suggestion Letter one must refer to the letter that had been written asking for one. The language used in the letter should be very simple so that it is easily understood. Since a suggestion has been asked for, the tone of the letter should not sound authoritative or dictatorial. A good Suggestion Letter writer is the one who tones the letter in such a way that it sounds like a friendly advice. All positives and negatives of a suggestion should be mentioned in the letter to ensure transparency of communication. This is done because the onus of decision is anyways on the reader of the letter and not the writer.
DOS AND DON’T’S OF SUGGESTION LETTER
- A Suggestion Letter should only be written when a suggestion is asked for
- The tone of the letter should not sound dictatorial instead it should sound friendly
- The writer should be prepared to hear a “no” as far as her/his suggestion is concerned
- The language used in the letter should be simple and easily understandable
- A Suggestion Letter should try and give all positives and negatives of the suggestion to ensure transparent communication
- It should be brief and to the point
- The letter in which a suggestion was solicited should be referred while writing a Suggestion Letter
- A Suggestion Letter is more informal in nature so it can either by typed or hand written
SAMPLE SUGGESTION LETTER
__________ (Date)
Dear ___________ (name of the person)
I received your letter dated ________ (date) asking me for suggestions on the career options for you.
First of all let me thank you for showing me the respect and seeking for my suggestions for such an important part of your life.
What I have known of you over the last few years and the professional course that you have just completed, I would suggest that you go for a master’s course in the same profession. From my analysis of the market, job opportunities for you after the master’s course will be tremendous and more enterprising in nature. More opportunities overseas are available post the master’s course only.
Needless to say that these were mere suggestions on the course of action for you as requested but it still is a matter of personal choice and interest. But please do let me know about your final decision on this.
Hope everyone in the family is good. Please convey my best wishes to all of them.
Take care and stay in touch.
Best wishes,
(Name of the person)