Relocation services for British Columbia, Canada

Why use letters when job searching?

The Canadian job market seems to rely a lot on personal contacts and networking. So as a newcomer or even someone who is not yet in the country, it is important to make the best use of every contact that you have.

You may not have considered how letters and making personal contact help to boost your résumé and chances of getting a job. There are four types of letter you may want to use:

• letter of inquiry
• networking letter
• covering letter
• thank you letter

How (and why) to write a letter of inquiry

A letter of inquiry is used to contact companies which have not advertised specific job openings but which may have positions for which you are suited.

Since many jobs are never advertised, your letter of inquiry may well result in your being considered for a job that otherwise you would never even have known about.

You must research the company if you want to be successful. An employer will likely only devote a few seconds to each letter, and a form letter which demonstrates no understanding of the company will quickly end up in the bin.

Find out the name of the hiring manager and address them personally, and formally. (Title and Surname).

Then state specifically what sort of position you are looking for, and how your skills and experience would be of benefit to the company. Be brief, as the details will be in your résumé.

End with an action plan. Ask for a time to call, visit, or suggest when they can reach you. If you are not in Canada, then explain the time differences.

Networking letters

You will want to use a networking letter when you have been given a contact who could put you in touch with someone else who may have a job for you.

Start with a brief introduction and explain your connection to them. It helps to build their trust if they can see something they have in common with you - membership of the same professional body, experience in common, a mutual friend.

State why you are writing to them. Be direct and honest. If you want to get advice or an introduction to another company, make this clear.

Finish with an action plan. Set up a meeting or a phone call.

A covering letter is important

You have probably worked on polishing your résumé. It is now concise and succinctly details your experience, skills and education. And all the other applicants will have done the same.

Many applicants, however, neglect the covering letter. Yet it is often the first thing an employer reads, and it can distinguish your application from the competition.

Here are my top tips for writing the cover letter:

1. Tailor it for the position. A form letter will not do.
2. Address the specific criteria in the job advert. Make sure you explain how you meet these criteria.
3. Sell the benefits you bring to the company. Make the letter less about you, more about these benefits.
4. Address the letter to someone personally. Find the name of the manager and use it.
5. Start strongly. Remember the manager is unlikely to have much time to read the letter and will be quick to reject.
6. Be concise. Avoid waffle and generic phrases.
7. Keep the letter short and format it for easy skimming.
8. Spell check!

Say thank you

It may seem a waste of time to send thank you letters. But your mother was right - politeness is important.

In this case it is a way of standing out from the crowd. Few people write thank you letters and by being one you will likely be remembered.

If, after two weeks or so, you have not heard anything from a previous letter, then you can write a thank you letter. This becomes a gentle reminder that you applied for the post, and could get you reconsidered or considered for another post.

Job searching from the UK

It is no doubt harder to find a job when you are still in the UK than when you are in Canada. That just means that you have to be more creative and more persistent.

Use the telephone. Even, or especially, from the UK, a personal call will have impact. Make arrangements to meet once you are in Canada. If you are coming on a research trip, make this an opportunity to research companies and meet people. You may be surprised how helpful people are. And as you are only researching, the pressure is off.

Good luck!