Moneyzine
Contents
/Careers Guides/Letter of Inquiry (Letter of Interest)

Letter of Inquiry (Letter of Interest)

Moneyzine Editor
Author: 
Moneyzine Editor
2 mins
September 26th, 2023
Advertiser Disclosure

Definition

The term letter of inquiry refers to a prospecting document delivered to companies that may be hiring employees but do not appear to have any job openings posted. There are a number of ways to send a letter of interest, including through the postal service, email, as well as professional networking websites.

Explanation

Also known as a letter of interest, a letter of inquiry is not sent in response to a job posting; rather, it is sent to a company that is of interest to a job hunter. The letter should explain why the job hunter would like to work at this company, as well as how their skills and experience would make them a valued employee. As is the case with resumes and cover letters, a letter of inquiry should follow a predefined format as indicated below:

  1. Opening Paragraph: should include the types of jobs being sought, as well as two or three skills that make the writer a strong candidate. The opening paragraph needs to compel the recipient to continue reading the letter.

  2. Middle Paragraph: should include several fact-filled examples of how the skills mentioned in the opening paragraph produced excellent results in the past.

  3. Closing Paragraph: should include an offer to meet with the employer to answer any questions they might have about the writer's qualifications, and to explore the possibility of full time employment.

Example

The following is an example of a well-written letter of inquiry. The document uses the outline mentioned above:

February 1, 2015

Mr. David Decisionmaker Manager: Corporate Planning Newcompany Inc. 81 Corporate Place Histown, Pennsylvania 08180

Dear Mr. Decisionmaker:

I am interested in joining Newcompany as a member of the corporate planning team. In addition to possessing an MBA in Corporate Finance, I have seven years of experience in the budgeting and business planning processes.

In the role of manager - workforce planning, I used lean six sigma techniques to lower annual operating expenses by $2.8 million, which was 8.3% of the planned cost. More recently, I've been responsible for planning efforts that include: development of the company's balanced scorecard, as well as investor day conference materials.

I would like the opportunity to discuss my background and how I can make an immediate contribution to Newcompany's corporate planning team as well as answer any questions you may have about my background.

Joe Jobseeker 12 Findmy Way Yourtown, Pennsylvania 08080 Email: [email protected] Cellphone: 202-555-0121

Related Terms

Related Content

  • Is It Worth Pursuing a Master's Degree?
    In an era where education is synonymous with opportunity, many consider pursuing a Master's degree a surefire way to advance their careers. However, is it really the golden ticket to success we've been led to believe?
    March 21st, 2024
  • The gender pay gap, the persistent disparity in average earnings between men and women throughout their careers, serves as a critical measure of wage inequality. This gap underscores the ongoing issue of income disparity, despite the ideal of equal pay for equal work.
    March 14th, 2024
  • 7 Essential Financial Moves After Losing Your Job
    Navigating the stormy seas of job loss? You're not alone.
    February 23rd, 2024
  • The Most In-Demand Skills to Get Hired in 2024
    Every job requires a combination of vital skills, but what skillset is valued most in 2024? As the job market evolves, staying ahead means it’s key to understand and acquire the skills that employers value most.
    April 12th, 2024
  • Key Productivity in the Workplace Statistics for 2024
    In 2023, global employee engagement saw a slight uptick, with 23% of employees engaged, up by two percentage points. However, a sizable 59% are categorized as disengaged, while actively disengaged employees, known as "loud quitting," declined to 18%. These figures highlight the persistent challenge for organizations to cultivate happiness and productivity in the workplace.
    January 31st, 2024

Contributors

Moneyzine 2024. All Rights Reserved.