Your purpose in writing the objective (why?) is to secure a job interview. Since no person is singled out for receipt of the ad, and since it is a large company, you assume it will be screened by Human Resources.
Adopt a professional, formal tone. You are answering a "blind" ad, so you have to play it safe. In your first sentence, refer to the ad, including the place and date of publication and the position outlined. {There is a chance that the company is running more than one ad on the same date and in the same paper, so you need to identify the one to which you are replying.) Tell the reader what (specifically) you have to offer that company. Include your resume, phone number, and the times it is easiest to reach you. Ask for the order tell them you'd like to have an appointment
Blanket 1 Prospecting Letter
In June of this year you will graduate from a four year college with a degree in communications. You seek a position (internship or full time employment) at a major public relations firm. You have decided to write to 50 top firms, sending each a copy of your resume. You don't know which, if any, have job openings.
Such blanket mailings are effective given two circumstances: 1) You must have an exemplary record and a resume which reflects it; and 2) You must send out a goodly number of packages, since the response rate to such mailings is very low.
A blanket mailing doesn't mean an impersonal one you should always be writing to a specific executive. If you have a referral, send a personalized letter to that person. If not, do not simply mail a package to the Human Resources department; identify the department head and then send a personalized Letter. And make sure you get on the phone and follow up each letter within about two days. Don't just sit back and wait for everyone to call you. They won't.
Just Inquiring
The inquiry letter is a step above the blanket prospecting letter; it's a "cold calling'' device with a twist. You have earmarked a company (and a person) as a possibility in your job search based on something you have read about them. Your general research tells you that it is a good place to work. Although you are not aware of any specific openings, you know that they employ entry level personnel with your credentials.
While ostensibly inquiring about any openings, you are really just "referring yourself to them in order to place your resume in front of the right person. This is what I would call a "why not?" attempt at securing a job interview. Its effectiveness depends on their actually having been in the news. This, after all, is your "excuse" for writing.
Networking
Ifs time to get out that folder marked "Contacts" and prepare a draft networking letter. The lead sentence should be very specific, referring immediately to the friend, colleague, etc. "who suggested I write you about…" Remember: Your objective is to secure an informational interview, pave the way for a job interview, and/or get referred to still other contacts.
This type of letter should not place the recipient in a position where a decision is necessary; rather, the request should be couched in terms of "career advice." The second paragraph can then inform the reader of your level of experience. Finally, be specific about seeking an appointment
Unless you have been specifically asked by the referring person to do so, you will probably not be including a resume with such letters. So the letter itself must highlight your credentials, enabling the reader to gauge your relative level of experience. For entry-level personnel, education, of course, will be most important
For an Informational Interview
Though the objectives of this letter are similar to those of the networking letter, they are not as personal. These are "knowledge quests" on your part and the recipient will most likely not be someone you have been referred to. The idea is to convince the reader of the sincerity of your research effort Whatever selling you do, if you do any at all, will arise as a consequence of the meeting, not beforehand. A positive response to this type of request is in itself a good step forward. It is, after all, exposure, and amazing things can develop when people in authority agree to see you.
Thank You Letters
Although it may not always seem so, manners do count in the job world. But what counts even more are the simple gestures that show you actually care like writing a thank you letter. A well executed, timely thank you note tells more about your personality than anything else you may have sent, and it also demonstrates excellent follow through skills. It says something about the way you were brought up whatever else your resume tells them, you are, at least, polite, courteous and thoughtful.
Thank you letters may well become the beginning of an all important dialogue that leads directly to a job. So be extra careful in composing them, and make certain that they are custom made for each occasion and person.
The following are the primary situations in which you will be called upon to write some variation of thank you letter:
- After a job interview
- After an informational interview
- Accepting a job offer
- Responding to rejection: While optional, such a letter is appropriate if you have been among the finalists in a job search or were rejected due to limited experience. Remember someday you'll have enough experience; make the interviewer want to stay in touch.
- Withdrawing from consideration: Used when you decide you are no longer interested in a particular position. (A variation is usable for declining an actual job offer.) Whatever the reason for writing such a letter, if s wise to do so and thus keep future lines of communication open.
