Guest Blog - The Value of Letters

Special guest - Sally McIntosh, Advantage Resumes

Thank You Letter

As kids, we may have been taught to write thank-you notes whenever someone did something nice. Today, thank you notes seem to be a thing of the past. In a job search, they can separate you from the rest of the applicants.

A resume can distinguish you from other job seekers. To narrow the playing field, write a thank you note to the hiring team for the interview. Send a slightly different note to each interviewer. The note does not have to be long.

Tell the recipient how much you enjoyed meeting him or her. Comment on something you learned at the interview, and state that you would like to be part of the team. The letter can also be an opportunity to restate your strengths.

Mail the letter within 24 hours after an interview. If the company has corresponded with you primarily via email, then send an email thank-you message when you complete the interview. 

Letter of Resignation 

Always submit a letter of resignation. 

Deliver the letter on the same day you verbally inform your boss you will be leaving. It will document the fact that you are leaving and verify that you did notify your employer ahead of time. Date the letter of resignation and give the exact date of your last day at work.  

Include a nice statement about the organization and thank them for the opportunities received while serving in the job. The letter is not an opportunity to vent anger or hostility - you may need them as a reference in the future. Send the letter directly to your boss, and also send a copy of the letter to the HR department.

Networking Letters

A large percentage of U.S. jobs (estimated at 60%) are not advertised. These jobs are filled through networks and contacts, and the jobs are called the hidden job market.

The purpose of a networking letter is not to ask friends and colleagues for a job. Instead, ask for help in finding connections that can get you into targeted organizations. Make the letter brief, and don’t waste the reader’s time. Get right to the point.

If the letter is for an acquaintance, then refresh their memory on your connection. Remind them where you met—at a conference, attending the same training session, or during an association function.

If you know the recipient, then get right to the point. Tell them about your career situation you and what type of job you are looking for and where.

Tell the reader some of your strengths, such as how you increased revenues or expanded productivity. Ask for leads and include your resume if you think it will help communicate your value.

End the letter by thanking the person for their assistance and be sure to offer to help them with a career endeavor.