One of the Most Important Job Search Letters you will Ever Write
William Frank, author of 200 Letters for Job Hunters says, "Fifty to seventy-five percent of good jobs come from friends and acquaintances-and from their friends and acquaintances-by word of mouth. The higher the level of the job, the more that rule applies. At the senior executive and professional level, for example, as many as 90 percent of good jobs come through personal friends."
Using a personal contact letter can allow your friends and acquaintances to help you in your job search. As you will see in the example below, in your letter you can ask for specific information that relates to your particular job target.
The next step may be the most important: follow up your email or letter with a phone call. Most people-even if they want to help you and have some good information to give you-are so busy that they might not take the initiative to contact you. So call your contacts a couple of days after they would have received your email or letter.
Sample Personal Contact Letter
December 11, 2011
Dear Julie:
I am writing to you and some of my other friends from Bible Study Fellowship to request your input for an important project I'm working on! My job will be ending in March, as my company is moving out of the state. I am currently job hunting, looking for a position as a customer service representative (in a call center).
I have 12 years of experience taking phone orders and handling a wide variety of customer service issues. I like the customer contact and enjoy working over the phone. I am especially interested in working for a bank, credit union or mortgage company.
I am wondering if you might have any information or ideas for me! I would really value your input. For example, do you. . .
- Know anyone who works in a call center?
- Know anyone who works in a bank, credit union or mortgage company?
- Know anyone who knows anyone with the above contacts?
- Have any other contacts, ideas or suggestions for me in my job search?
I will plan on calling you next week (or you can call me at 714-595-6677 or e-mail me at Davis123@aol.com, if you prefer). Any information or ideas you have will be appreciated. I look forward to talking with you!
Sincerely,
Sheila Martin
© Article copyright by Kevin and Kay Marie Brennfleck, National Certified Career Counselors, ChristianCareerCenter.com, ChurchJobsOnline.com and ChristianJobFair.com. All rights reserved. The above information is intended for personal use only. No commercial use of this information is authorized without written permission.