Writing Letters
Sending letters to networking contacts is the most formal means of making contact. Letters also give you lots of time to work and rework what you want to say to someone. If talking on the telephone doesn’t come easy to you, start with a letter. Letters are best for making the first contact with someone you do not know, do not have a referral to from someone the person knows, or to someone who you think is critical to your career.
The purpose of the letter is to ask if you can telephone them or set up a meeting. Each letter should be personalized. Would you want to talk with someone who sends the same letter to everyone? How did you hear about this person or this company? Name the person who suggested you write them. If you can make some other personal connection (Did they go to your college? Grow up in your hometown?) do it.
After the introduction, insert your well-crafted message, the same one you use at parties or in telephone calls. Close with a statement thanking them in advance for their help and telling them when you will call to set up an appointment for meeting or telephone conversation.
The biggest mistakes you can make when contacting a person with a letter are:
Misspell words, use improper punctuation, or make grammatical errors.
Address the letter to “To Whom It May Concern.”
Ask for a job or enclose your resume.
Fail to make the follow-up phone call.
