Careers

THANK YOU LETTERS: You should send a professionally prepared thank you letter to each person who interviews you. Much more than just a way of saying "thank you," the letter also serves as an opportunity to "RE-SELL yourself" to the organization and keeps your name active in the employer's mind. You can discuss various points of the interview, highlight special skills or overcome a shortcoming if you use this opportunity wisely. Remember professional courtesy is always appreciated -- and always remembered. If you met with someone prior to the interview, send them a thank you letter also; perhaps someone in Human Resources at the company, someone at your state or county Employment Department or at the recruitment firm that sent you out.

FOLLOW-UP LETTERS: Remember the old adage "The squeaky wheel gets the oil?" The follow-up letter is the best "squeak" you'll ever produce! A follow-up letter should be sent on a regular basis to every interviewer with whom you have met to ensure best results. Consider this scenario: the employer is preparing to make his or her hiring decision. You're one of four applicants in the running for the position and the hiring agent is having a tough time making a decision. That morning, your professionally prepared follow-up letter arrives, reminding the employer about your interest in the position. Guess who gets a call? One other point: you should also send a follow-up letter whenever the person or company responds to your employment inquiry with a return letter, even if it is a rejection letter. This keeps communication open and your name active. 

BROADCAST LETTERS: For unique situations, it is sometimes best to send a potential employer a letter that combines both the concepts of a resume and a cover letter in one. This is especially true when a more formal resume would not be advantageous to send, or when one's background is difficult to present in a resume. These situations can be true for mothers returning to the work force after staying home to raise their family. They may have little or no outside paid employment, yet they may have gained valuable experience in leadership and organizational skills through volunteering and parent involvement with school activities. Self-employed individuals and private business owners often use a broadcast letter to market their services/products to potential new customers. I have prepared such letters for owners in a variety of industries, as well as for self-employed attorneys, accountants, security professionals, dentists and physicians. 

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