Letter of Inquiry for a Job: Email and Letter Samples

In today’s job market, searching for open roles requires a multipronged approach. Searching for jobs online and networking are common ways to find open positions, but there are other options that could lead to opportunities. A prospecting letter or letter of inquiry could provide job leads for you that would otherwise be unexplored.

What is a Letter of Inquiry or Prospecting Letter?

There are many different terms to refer to the same letter, such as employment inquiry letter, cold jobs email, or job prospecting letter, but they are essentially a method for tapping into cold leads to search for jobs that aren’t posted. Your prospecting letter can help you discover these open roles by signaling your interest in working with a specific company, demonstrating why you’d be a good fit, and building connections before a job is posted.

A letter of inquiry differs from other types of job letters in that it is specific to cold leads in which no job has been posted. A cover letter is also for a cold lead, but it is written and submitted along with a resume for a specific job posting. A networking letter is used to build a connection with a warm lead and can be used to help position you well for a posted or unposted job. All of these job letters have specific purposes, and your intention will determine which format is best suited for your goals.

Why and When to Send a Prospecting Letter or Letter of Inquiry

You may consider sending a prospecting letter to the companies on your target company list. A target company list ranks the top organizations that you have researched and that align with your career goals and professional values. If the company is on your list and doesn’t currently have any job postings for your target role, then sending a prospecting letter could help you get your foot in the door. If they do have a job posting available, it’s better to apply for the position with your tailored resume and cover letter.

It may also be beneficial to send a letter of inquiry for jobs to companies if you’re a new grad, recently moved to a new area, or are transitioning to a new career. In these instances, it’s likely that your professional reputation isn’t very solid in your particular field or location. An employment inquiry letter can help you introduce yourself and make connections that may lead to a new job.

How to Write a Letter of Inquiry and Where to Send It

It’s best to send a prospecting letter to a specific contact in the company, as opposed to a general email inbox. You can find specific professionals and their contact information by reviewing the company’s team website or searching on LinkedIn. You’ll want to send a letter to either an HR or talent acquisition leader or to the head of the team you wish to join.

When composing your letter of inquiry, be sure to include the following:

• Business Letter Information: If you choose to submit a formal prospecting letter, you’ll need to use a business letter format that matches your resume layout. Include your contact information, the specific person you’re addressing the letter to, the company’s contact information, and the date.
• A Professional Greeting: For a letter, “Dear” is standard. If sending via email, you can use “Hello” or “Good morning/afternoon.”
• Your Interest in the Company: Begin your prospecting letter by introducing yourself and sharing your intent. You should also explain why you’re interested in the company and/or mention a specific company event that you read about recently.
• Your Value: In the next paragraph, briefly summarize the value you would bring to the company and why you believe you’d be a good fit. Be sure to specify the type of role you’re targeting.
• Closing Paragraph: Invite the reader to a short meeting and note that you’ve attached your resume or link to your professional profile/portfolio.
• Professional Closing: Include a closing like “Sincerely” or “Best regards,” followed by your name.
• Enclosure: For business letters that include an attachment, use “Enclosure:” to indicate what the attachment is (in this case, a resume).

Make sure that the subject line of your email is appropriate and short. Be sure to include the type of role you’re targeting and your name. For example, “Inquiry About (Company)’s Team,” or “Quick Question About (Type of Job) Position Availability” work well.

Job Inquiry Email Sample

Subject: Facilities Technician Inquiry – Taylor Benson

Good morning Skylar,

My name is Taylor, and I’m reaching out to you because I’m planning my next career move, and I would love to join RST Enterprise’s team. RST Enterprise has a long-standing reputation for balancing quality work with corporate social responsibility, and I would be thrilled to contribute to that reputation.

I was recently honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force after 10 years of service. During my career, I was an HVAC Technician who successfully led a team of four, implemented process improvements that conserved considerable costs, and worked collaboratively with cross-functional teams to optimize BAS systems in mission-critical facilities. This experience has provided me with the skills and knowledge to contribute to RST Enterprise as a controls or facilities technician.

Please consider connecting with me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/taylorbenson. I would love to schedule a quick 15-minute chat with you to discuss any openings that are coming down the pike. Please reach out with any questions or to schedule a meeting.

Best,

Taylor Benson

Letter of Inquiry for Jobs Sample

Terry Whitman
675 Maple Street
Some City, ST 00000

[Date]

Pat Summers, Talent Acquisition Manager
Clothing Business
862 Commerce Street
Some City, ST 00000

Dear Pat Summers:

I am writing to express my interest in working with Clothing Business. I read recently that Clothing Business is planning to open several locations in the Some City area. As a long-time customer, I was excited to hear this news, and I would jump at the chance to join the Clothing Business team.

As the office manager for ZZZ Company, I head an administrative team of six in streamlining operations, organizing crucial documentation, and supplying sterling customer service to clients, coworkers, and leadership. I’m confident that this experience, combined with my knowledge of Clothing Business’s brand, products, and clientele, will allow me to boost sales and customer satisfaction in a store manager role.

I’m including the latest copy of my resume for your review and consideration. I’d welcome the opportunity to briefly discuss anticipated openings and how my qualifications match your expectations. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to schedule a meeting or answer any questions.

Kindest regards,

Terry Whitman

Enclosure: Resume

Common Letter of Inquiry Mistakes

To help you build a positive relationship with a new connection, be sure to avoid these common mistakes:

• Sending an email to a generic inbox: You want to reach out to a specific person who can make things happen. Sending an email to a shared inbox forces the recipient to decide where to forward it, if they decide to forward it at all.
• Not specifying a specific role or function: Don’t expect a talent acquisition specialist to make decisions about where you fit in their organization. Not only is it outside of their scope, but it’s in your best interest to be intentional about your career decisions.
• Generic content: The intent of a job prospecting letter is to demonstrate why you want to work for that specific company. Vague or copy/paste content will make your employment inquiry letter feel impersonal.
• Lengthy letters: Letters of inquiry are meant to serve as a short pitch that garners interest. You can lose the reader’s attention quickly if your letter reads like an autobiography. Keep the content to around 150 words.
• Not following up: As with interviews and other job-related correspondence, you’ll want to follow up if you don’t receive a response. Professionals get busy, and emails get forgotten, so sending a gentle reminder can help regain attention. For job prospecting emails, it’s best to follow up after 5 business days. Follow up once, and if you still don’t get a response, it’s probably best to move forward.

Need a resume to attach? Our free resume builder gives you a clean, tailored copy to send with every inquiry letter, so a cold lead never waits while you rebuild it.

FAQs

What is a letter of inquiry for a job?

A letter of inquiry, also called a job prospecting letter or cold email for jobs, is a way to connect with talent acquisition leaders or hiring managers at a target company to learn about jobs that haven’t been posted yet. It’s an opportunity to introduce yourself to decision-makers within a company and put yourself on the company’s radar should a position in your field open.

How do I ask about a job that isn’t posted?

Be sure to do your research on the company and see if they hire for your target role or field. Additionally, review the company to determine if they align with your own professional values and career goals. Once you do this research, you can reach out to a talent acquisition leader or hiring manager to express interest in the company, summarize your skill set, and invite the recipient to a short meeting to review any jobs that are open or might open in the future.

Is a letter of inquiry the same as a cover letter?

No, these are different job letters with different goals. A cover letter describes your qualifications and fit for a specific job posting. A letter of inquiry seeks to discover jobs that aren’t posted by expressing interest in the company and briefly explaining why you’re a good fit for the company.

How long should a letter of inquiry be?

Generally, a letter of inquiry should be about three paragraphs comprising about 150 words. You want to keep the content short to be considerate of the reader’s time and to provide a solid pitch.

Should I include a resume with my letter of inquiry?

You should include a resume, a link to your professional/LinkedIn profile, or a link to your online portfolio. It’s a good idea to include one of these options to allow the reader to learn more about you if they so choose.