If you have a dream employer in mind but they are not currently hiring for a role that fits your skills, that doesn’t mean you don’t have a chance. 

Writing a job inquiry letter allows you to be proactive and show the employer that you are interested in joining their team as well as your drive, determination and creative thinking. This will help you network and start forming a relationship with the employer and increase your chance of getting a job with them. 

Not sure where to start or what to include? Find out here

What is a job inquiry letter?

A job inquiry letter – or letter of interest – allows you to reach out to an employer you feel is the right fit, but they may not currently have a job opening that fits your skills or career path on their website or job board. Sending an inquiry letter creates a networking opportunity for you and starts a relationship that is more personal than simply sending over your resume and/or cover letter. 

This is different from a cover letter, because a cover letter is written for a specific job that is already posted, and will always accompany your resume when it is needed. An inquiry letter is only used when there is no specific job posted. 

You can attach your resume and cover letter in the same email as well so that they can see your full experience and your fit to their organization. 

What are the benefits? 

As mentioned above, it creates an opportunity for you to network with someone in the company. There may be no need or demand for a job with your particular skills at the time you send an inquiry letter, but by sending a letter you will open a door of communication with someone – likely a hiring manager or manager of the department you’d like to join – which you can continue to sustain and nurture so when they do have a need for your skills they will reach out to you. 

You stand apart from other candidates. Rather than being another resume coming through the ATS, you are going an extra mile to add a more personal touch. Even though this isn’t a tactic to use when there is already a job opening listed, you are showing the employer that you are very interested in working for their team. Employers want to find people who are determined, driven and will stay in the organization long-term, and someone who takes the time to write a letter and reach out for potential employment is likely to stay long-term if employed. 

How to write an inquiry letter

1. Find someone to send it to 

If it’s possible, find a specific contact in the department you’d like to work in, or in the human resources department, it will get further than simply addressing it “to whom it may concern.” 

You can find a contact in a few ways:

Looking on the company’s website or Hcareers employer profile page to see if they have leadership members listed on their website or employer page. 

You can ask other hospitality professionals if they know who is in the position you’d like to reach out to. People in the industry will oftentimes know others in the industry who either work with the person you need to contact or at minimum know the name. 

If none of your contacts know, you can look on LinkedIn and browse through company employee profiles, or browse the company’s posts to see if they mention or recognize the person you’re looking to contact. 

If none of those work, you can try doing a simple google search of the company name and the job field you are looking to work in and see if a name shows up. For example, “General Manager Oyster Bay Inn Chicago, IL” 

2. Start with a strong introduction

If you don’t know or have any mutual connections to the person you are writing to, start with introducing yourself and how you found their name and why you are writing to them. If you do have a mutual connection, mention who that is to create immediate rapport. 

“I have been keeping up with the efforts that Oyster Bay Inn has been putting in motion to help increase the diversity and inclusion in the hospitality industry and it has motivated me to write and share my interest in joining your team as a general manager. “

“As a recent graduate in hospitality, I am eager to find a position in human resources with a company that would allow me to learn and grow immensely. I have been following your company for some time and am very impressed with the initiatives put forth by your team in being the frontrunners on LGBTQ initiatives…” 

“I am in the early stage of my hospitality career and recently had a conversation with Tom Hanks who gave me your contact information. I am passionate about strong customer service and relationship building and would be honored to join your organization and team. I would love the opportunity to connect with you regarding future opportunities….”

3. Highlight what you can bring to the team and organization

The most important thing to remember when writing a job inquiry letter is to explain to the contact how you can improve their organization and team and make their lives a little better and easier. 

Research the company to understand their needs, strengths and weaknesses. If you identify an area in the department they could improve, politely explain how you can help them in that area specifically. Don’t give a step by step plan however, you want them to need to hire you, not give them a strategy for free. 

4. Briefly wrap it up

After establishing a connection and covering your relevant skills, conclude your letter by letting them know you’d like the meet with them, whether in person or virtually and thank them for their time. You can also include the best way for them to reach you, but include your contact information in the header, not this section. Include a strong final statement if possible. 

“I hope we can set up a time to meet and discuss how my qualifications can be of benefit to your team and organization. If you have any questions, or if I can provide further information, please call or email me. Thank you again for your time, I look forward to hearing from you. 

Sincerely, 

“I would be grateful if you could add my name to your list of potential candidates for future marketing roles. My resume and work samples are attached, please let me know if I can provide any additional references. If you have time, I would love the opportunity to speak with you about a marketing career with Oyster Bay Inn. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Regards, 

Not sure where to get started? You can browse a specific employer profile or search for a job title