Career resources — letter types
Letter of inquiry
- Use to introduce yourself to an organization and inquire about available or anticipated positions. You are not responding to an advertised position.
- If possible, express why you are writing to that particular organization (i.e., relocating, committed to their vision).
- Avoid impersonal, mass-mailing types of letters.
- Always enclose a résumé.
Letter of application
- Use as an introduction/application in response to an advertised position.
- The point of the application letter is to give the employer a reason to look at your résumé.
- This also gives you an opportunity to use your voice to highlight your skills. Frequently this personal introduction is as important as the résumé itself.
- Always enclose a résumé.
Follow-up letter
- Use to announce any follow-up correspondence (i.e., forwarding a transcript, application or references, checking on status, confirming an interview).
- If complying with specific instructions such as forwarding reference info, inform the reader that that is your purpose for writing.
Thank-you note
- Use to show appreciation to anyone who has been useful in your search. Always use following an interview.
- A thank-you note following an interview can be an invaluable tool. It can allow you a second chance to answer any questions that you stumbled on during the interview. It also allows you to emphasize your enthusiasm for the position and re-highlight your skills.
December 2006