apply for job where there’s no application

You want to apply for a part-time job where your resume is not needed, either because you’re over-qualified for the job or your experience is irrelevant to the job at hand. Perhaps you’re applying to work retail at night, for example, after you leave your “day job”, and the store is not a national chain with an application form. How can you politely express your interest?

Dear Mr. Pointdexter:

I am writing in response to your advertisement for Retail Clerk-Evening Part Time, and would like to be considered for the position.

I am a responsible and organized person and I enjoy meeting people and helping them find what they need when they’re shopping. I shop in your store and believe that as a customer I can be an effective representative to other customers as well.

I am available evenings next week and look forward to meeting you in person. You can reach me via email <insert> or phone <insert>.

Sincerely,

Eager Beaver

real happy birthday

Prior to the 1850’s, mass-printed greeting cards didn’t exist. People made intricate and expensive paper gifts by hand and then delivered them in person. While Hallmark and bluemountain.com have made it easier, the mass-market greetings have eliminated some of the personal-ness of sending well wishes. One way to regain that is to write your own birthday wishes. It doesn’t have to be long, but if you’re clever you can write a poem like my Great Aunt Nancy always has done. She’s 103 (age!) now, so doesn’t anymore, which makes the others a treasure! Use either a blank card or your own monogrammed stationery. In honor of what would have been my father’s 82^nd birthday, here’s a birthday letter.

Dear Dad,

We send you lots of love and hugs on your birthday. We wish we were there to celebrate with you, but we’ll raise a glass to you and hope you’re doing the same. Eat some cake and enjoy your special day.

All our love, Your daughter and family

product complaint

These days it’s pretty easy to complain online or by phone about a product or service with which you feel dissatisfaction. But sometimes if the complaint is not urgent, a written letter, sent to a person of authority by mail, can get you a response without hassle on your end. Here’s a letter of polite complaint that’s sure to get you what you want!

Dear Mr. Very Important Executive:

I have bought your company’s products for several years and have always been satisfied and recommended them to my friends.

Two weeks ago, I bought item no. A678 and the first time I used it, it broke. Because it is large, it is difficult for me to return it to the store, which I’m told is what’s required for an exchange or refund.

I wish to receive a refund on my credit card for this defective item immediately.  If return is necessary, please have a representative from your company arrange to retrieve the item from my home.

Please contact me by phone at your earliest convenience to arrange this.

Respectfully,

Your Loyal Customer

fundraiser solicitation

Fundraising letters always seem to look the same–A page-full of dense type with small margins on the organization’s beautiful letterhead, where the writer has attempted to include every little detail that might compel you to donate. I don’t know about you, but I am loath to read these for a couple of reasons. One, it’s too painful; Two, I know what they say: send money. Here’s a solicitation letter that may actually get read.

Dear Ms. Local Store Owner:

I volunteer for the Very Charitable Organization because I have found their efforts and cause to be worthwhile. Each spring we conduct a fundraising auction to raise funds.

Would you donate an item from your store that you think would be appropriate? Or, if you prefer, make a monetary donation that would go directly to the bottom line of the event?

We acknowledge our donors in the event program and advertising.

I will call you next week to touch base. We are happy to pick up your donation and deliver a tax-deduction receipt at the same time.

Thank you for considering my request.

Best regards,

George Volunteer

summer job

It’s high time to be looking for a summer job if you’re a high school or college student, or work at a university and look for alternative employment during summer break. While it’s best to research the company and make a few calls to see if summer work is offered, here’s a  couple of letters you can use to inquire “blind”, when no specific job has been advertised.

Dear Mr. Person in Charge:

I am a sophomore at Princeton University and am interested in summer employment with your engineering firm.

I am an applied math major and am involved in several organizations outside the classroom including club soccer and Princeton Engineering Education for Kids, where we use legos to teach younger children.

Could you tell me if you have summer opportunities, and if so, how I can be considered for them, please? I am available by email or phone.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Sophomore (followed by contact info.)

If the job you seek is at a summer camp:

Dear Ms. Head Camp Counselor:

I will be a freshman in college next fall and am interested in a tennis counselor position with your camp for this summer.

I have played tennis for 12 years, am Captain of my high school team and am ranked in my division. I have coached younger children at our local tennis center for the past 3 years.

I would appreciate the opportunity to discuss my suitability for a counselor position and learn more about the camp. Could you tell me what the process is for submitting an application?

Thank you,

Nathan Freshman (+ contact info.)

Here’s one if you’re replying to an advertised position, and have your resume ready:

Dear Mr. Human Resources Manager

I am writing in response to your advertisement for a Summer Research Assistant.

I am currently an Instructor of Macro-economics at the University of Arizona.  Over the past four years, I have been responsible for primary research support work for Professors whose research was subsequently published. I take pride in the technical accuracy of my research and my critical thinking skills.

Please find attached my resume for your consideration. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Sarah Instructor (+ contact info.)

welcome to our team

Someone new has joined your organization, and try as you may, you’ve not yet found an opportunity to welcome her in person. Any more time goes by, and it will be awkward. Here’s a welcome letter that you could drop into the inter-office mail, leave on her desk before work—or as a last resort, email to the newby.

Helen,

I saw the announcement of your arrival and I was excited to hear that you’ve joined our organization. Welcome! You are a tremendous addition to our team.

I look forward to meeting you in person, but in the meantime I hope you are able to settle in easily.  Please email or call me if I can do anything to help.

With best regards,

Munib Azar

congratulations on your achievement

This morning I read a letter from the Principal of my middle son’s high school. In the course of this newsy missive he wrote that he had just finished writing congratulatory notes to the school’s 13 National Merit Scholarship Finalists. Now my oldest son, who goes to a different high school, is a National Merit Finalist, but received no such note from his principal. It got me thinking what such a congratulatory note should look like, so I wrote this:

Dear Neeko:

On behalf of the staff and faculty of University High School, I commend you for achieving Finalist status in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

It is a testament to your hard work and dedication that you have received this national recognition, reserved for a select group of high-achieving seniors.  The bar is high for this competition and you have competed admirably against students from around the U.S.

While this achievement will surely make you and your parents proud, please know that you have made your entire school community proud. Congratulations. You’ll go far.

With sincerest admiration,

Your Principal

bill collection

In tight economic times, payment times on invoices can stretch out. For the small business owner, that can make an already-difficult situation worse. Here’s a letter for politely requesting payment from a client or vendor who is only somewhat deliquent. It gives the client the benefit of the doubt, even if she doesn’t deserve it.

Dear Ms. Aronson:

Upon reviewing our accounts we noticed that we have not received payment for our invoice to you dated January 3^rd.

Because you are always so punctual in your payments, we were concerned. In case you did not receive that invoice, please find a copy attached.

You can appreciate that in the slow economy, we are doing what we can to keep our business strong. Prompt payment for items purchased is vital to us, so we can continue to provide quality products and services to you.

We are grateful for your business and would appreciate you sending your payment today, so you can avoid a late charge.

On behalf of all the employees at our company, we thank you for a prompt payment.

Gratefully,

Mr. Small-business owner

ENCL/invoice



famous love letters

One more “love” letter in honor of Valentine’s Day today. Two of the most prolific letter writers were Abigail and John Adams, popularized by David McCullough’s biography of John Adams and the documentary in 2008.

Here’s a letter Abigail wrote to her husband on December 23, 1782, before Valentine’s Day was widely celebrated in the U.S.:

My Dearest Friend,

…should I draw you the picture of my heart it would be what I hope you would still love though it contained nothing new.  The early possession you obtained there, and the absolute power you have obtained over it, leaves not the smallest space unoccupied.

I look back to the early days of our acquaintance and friendship as to the days of love and innocence, and, with an indescribable pleasure, I have seen near a score of years roll over our heads with an affection heightened and improved by time, nor have the dreary years of absence in the smallest degree effaced from my mind the image of the dear untitled man to whom I gave my heart.

I’m not sure how she signed this letter, but frequently she signed them “Portia”, for the wife of the Roman Politician Brutus. It was common at the time to adopt pen names in personal correspondence.

in honor of valentine’s day

Although the letters that you’ll find in this new little blog will be of all types–for business, professional and social–in honor of the upcoming valentine’s day, let’s make the first letter a love note.

You can always get inspiration for writing your own notes of love from well known writers and poets whose collections have been published. And it’s always great to quote a favorite line of poetry. You can find some from Elizabeth Barrett Browning here. If you aren’t comfortable with writing, know that a brief note can be just as powerful as a two-page letter. Use words that you would say if you were talking.

My Dearest,

I have but a few moments before I have to head back into the conference, but I wanted to get this card in the mail to you since we won’t be together on February 14th. My love for you only grows stronger and I count the days until we’re together again.

With kisses from me,

Your loving husband