Job Seekers

Friends, acquaintances and family may sometimes tip you off to openings or currently hiring employers. This necessitates a different approach to the cover letter -- the schmoozing cover letter.

Connections are beautiful, fragile things that need to be cultivated, so make sure you follow the proper networking etiquette. Do not use networking cover letters to ask for a job. People with the power to hire new employees take their responsibilities as gatekeepers seriously, and some stranger asking for a job only turns a gatekeeper off. But networking cover letters asking for career advice, information on the industry or just more contacts can often convince a powerful person like a hiring manager to become a more welcoming mentor.

Furthermore, employment leads usually don't appreciate cold calls. Instead of "When can you come in for an interview," the question you'll most likely hear is "Where exactly did you get my number from?" Even when your mutual acquaintance alerts them that you are calling, a cold call can still be ineffective because contacts have no concrete idea of your experience, skill level, or ability to function in the professional world. With no idea of who you really are, how do you expect them to help you?

Providing contacts with a killer cover letter and resume lets them have everything they need to know about you. And by the time you call, they can be prepared to tell you where you do or if you don't fit into their hiring plan. Depending on how strong the contacts are, they might also be able to give you insider information on how you can make your cover letter and resume even more effective for the company in question.

Here are some tips to ensure your networking cover letter has what it takes.

• State simply and clearly in the first paragraph exactly what you're looking for, and what it is that you want like from your contact. But remember, you're investigating opportunities, not begging for a job. Since few people have the power to hand out jobs on the spot, there's no point in asking.
• Focus your area of professional interest without being limiting. Avoid overly broad sentences such as "I'm looking for a position in sales, or as a lab assistant, or as the night watchman or janitor." On the other hand, listing an exact position, such as "Associate Marketing Director," limits your inquiry to one position and increases the chances of a negative response. The best way to walk this thin line is to state the level (senior, entry-level, mid-level) of the position followed by the field you are interested in.
• Mention in the last line that you will be in contact. Making contact is your responsibility, so don't meekly wait to be called. To avoid calling at a bad time, try the morning or when you know your contact will be out but a receptionist will be in. Ask the receptionist for the best time to call. Once you get your contact on the line, ask if the present is a good time to talk or if you should set up another phone appointment when it's more convenient.
• Send the cover letter and resume to the individual's work address, even if you have a home address. If you don't know the contact's business address, call the company and get it, along with the contact title and department.