The Less Used Letters

    (Part Two of Three)
     

    Type 4 Letter: Resume Letter

    If you have several years of substantial work experience and/or unique educational credentials, you may want to develop a resume letter. Resume letter is standard letter of application that highlights key qualifications to potential employers. The format includes pertinent professional information captured in short phrases. The purpose of a resume letter is to trigger employer interest in a unique background by showing the applicability of work or academic experience to the employer's situation.

    Sample of Resume Letter

    Your street Address
    City, State - Zip code
    Date of writing

    Name and title
    Company
    Address
    City, State - Zip code

    Dear Mr./Ms. ________:

    Should you be in the market for a seasoned, accomplished Senior Analyst who has established an excellent reputation for successful systems analysis, the enclosed resume should be of interest to you.

    My background includes an MS in Software Engineering from Columbia University, coupled with over ten-year experience in systems analysis with the XYZ company. During this time, I completed five different systems, which resulted in successful products and brought considerable profits to the entire company.

    I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you to discuss how, as a Senior Analyst, I might make similar contributions to your firm. Should you wish to explore this matter in greater detail, please contact me at (your telephone number).

    Thank you for your consideration.

    Sincerely,

    (Handwritten signature)

    Your name (typed)

    Enclosure (enclose your resume)

    Type 5 Letter: Inquiry Letter

    This kind of letter helps you search for possible vacancies in your field, promote your resume, and generate interviews. Inquiry letter is used for long distance searches and to uncover the hidden job market of positions that are not advertised. You should begin by targeting specific companies and then identifying the appropriate person to contact. Organize this letter in a similar fashion to the application letter but focus instead on the company's needs, direction, problems, products, or trends to describe how your qualifications match their requirements.

    Sample of Inquiry Letter

    Your street Address
    City, State - Zip code
    Date of writing

    Name and title
    Company
    Address
    City, State - Zip code

    Dear Mr./Ms. ________:

    (Identify objective)
    I am seeking a position in materials evaluations at a high technology company such as yours. I am aware from researching your firm that you have a special program for physicists and engineers.

    (Refer to resume; point out qualifications and special interests)
    As you will note from the enclosed resume, I have majored in physics and have participated in significant research. This background, as well as several business courses, has prepared me to combine an interest in motivating people with a desire to work in a technical environment.

    (Arrange for an interview)
    I would welcome the opportunity to review my qualifications and background in greater detail and will call you next week about the possibility of such a meeting. I plan on being in (city) the week of (date) and hope we can arrange a meeting at your convenience during this period.

    Thank you for your attention.

    Sincerely,

    (Handwritten signature)

    Your name (typed)

    Enclosure (enclose your resume)

    Type 6 Letter: Networking Letter

    You write this letter to generate informational interviews, not job interviews. You may have a variety of purposes in seeking an informational interview for career advice, information about industry or company hiring trends, advice about appropriate job search strategies, etc. Your letter must express your sincere interest in meeting with a specific individual and briefly describe who you are and the intended purpose of your visit. Usually a resume is not attached to a networking letter. However, it can be brought with you to the interview to help the interviewer understand your background and respond to your questions.

    Sample of Networking Letter

    Your street Address
    City, State - Zip code
    Date of writing

    Name and title
    Company
    Address
    City, State - Zip code

    Dear Mr./Ms. ________:

    I have been a Systems designer at ABC Company since 1992. I have experience working in the field for almost ten years in different companies in New York City and Washington, D.C. areas.

    Mr. Smith here suggested that I contact you. He thought that you would be in an excellent position as his friend and former employee and as an experienced professional to assist me with career move.

    As a Systems designer, I am exploring several career paths but I am not sure how to focus my search and would like to be more knowledgeable about employer's requirements and job market. It would be extremely beneficial for me to hear your advice about the long-term implications of each path.

    I will call you next week to see if we can arrange a brief meeting when I have chance to pass by your area.

    Thank you for considering my request.

    Sincerely,

    (Handwritten signature)

    Your name (typed)

    Sources: Career Development Guide 1998-1999 and various sources

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