1 min lesson
Prep note - set them up to win
Talk through the example in "Prep note - set them up to win", then name the result it is meant to produce.
Step 1 of 3
2. Prep note - set them up to win
Subject: Prep for Thursday - what to expect Hi Priya, A few notes so Thursday feels easy: - You'll meet four people: [HM] (hiring manager), [recruiter] and two team members - one in person, one over Zoom (link in your invite). - One session is a practical coordination scenario; it's conversational, not a quiz. Think out loud and you'll be in great shape. - Dress is casual. Bring whatever helps you - notes are fine. - My cell is below for anything day-of, including running late. You've got this. See you Thursday, [Name] · [phone]
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Status update - short, honest, no dead air
3. Status update - short, honest, no dead air
Subject: Quick update on next steps Hi Priya, Wanted to keep you in the loop: the team is wrapping up debriefs and I expect to have clear next steps for you by Tuesday. Nothing for you to do right now - I just didn't want you sitting in silence. Thanks for your patience and reach out anytime, [Name]
4. Rejection - warm, human, leaves the door open
Subject: An update on your Cursor application Hi Priya, Thank you for the time you gave us - flying in and meeting the team is no small thing and we genuinely enjoyed having you in the office. After the debrief, we've decided not to move forward for this role. This was a close, considered decision. If you're open to it, I'd love to stay in touch as the team grows. Wishing you the best and thank you again, [Name]
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Full explanation
Grade every draft against this rubric
Grade every draft against this rubric
- Dimension
- Warmth
- Fails the bar
- Transactional, system-generated tone.
- Meets the bar
- Sounds like a person who's glad they're here.
- Dimension
- Clarity
- Fails the bar
- Time without a zone; vague next step.
- Meets the bar
- Both zones; one obvious next action and deadline.
- Dimension
- Personalization
- Fails the bar
- Generic, could be any candidate.
- Meets the bar
- Names the role, the people, the specifics of their day.
- Dimension
- Zero ambiguity
- Fails the bar
- “We'll be in touch soon.”
- Meets the bar
- “Clear next steps by Tuesday” - a date, not a vibe.
| Dimension | Fails the bar | Meets the bar |
|---|---|---|
| Warmth | Transactional, system-generated tone. | Sounds like a person who's glad they're here. |
| Clarity | Time without a zone; vague next step. | Both zones; one obvious next action and deadline. |
| Personalization | Generic, could be any candidate. | Names the role, the people, the specifics of their day. |
| Zero ambiguity | “We'll be in touch soon.” | “Clear next steps by Tuesday” - a date, not a vibe. |
Phrases that scream boilerplate: “per my last email,” “please be advised,” “we regret to inform you,” and any time quoted without a zone. The rejection is the hardest one and the most revealing: a cold rejection costs Cursor a referral and a future re-application. Read each draft aloud - if it sounds like a form letter, rewrite the opening line first.
If the comms test is take-home, send your drafts back with a one-line note on your choices: “I led the rejection with gratitude and kept the door open because a candidate who flew in deserves that and re-applications are real.” If it's live, have a peer or the rubric review your tone before you submit. Showing your reasoning about tone is itself a signal of the judgment the role needs.