Use a letter of introduction to make a powerful first impression.
To succeed in your job search efforts, you need to know how to make a great first impression. Whether you're meeting a prospective employer in person or submitting your resume, the best way to increase your odds of being considered for a job is to ensure that your initial introduction presents you in the best possible light. Sometimes, a letter of introduction can be one of the most effective ways to help you stand out from the crowd.
In this article, we'll explain introduction letters and what they can help you achieve. We'll also provide some tips, including a step-by-step guide to creating your own letters of introduction. Finally, we'll take a look at a letter of introduction template that you can customize for your own introductory letter needs.
Related reading: Make the Perfect First Impression With Your Resume
What is a letter of introduction?
So, what is a letter of introduction? Basically, it's exactly what it sounds like: a message that you can use to introduce yourself to someone you've never met. A great introduction can highlight your career story, demonstrate your skills, and describe measurable achievements that prove your value. In that respect, it's similar to the type of cover letter you might send with your resume. However, it's important to note the key differences between these two types of letters.
The most important difference is the focus and scope of each letter. Cover letters should be highly focused and targeted on a particular job. For example, if you're seeking a job as a marketing professional, your cover letter would be focused on demonstrating why you're the right person for a specific marketing job. Meanwhile, a great letter of introduction can be used to present your overall qualifications, in a more generalized way.
As a result, a letter of introduction can be a great way to introduce yourself to companies that may not even be hiring right now. By sending an introduction letter, you can create a connection that leads to future opportunities. That can often make it a great tool for developing relationships with companies that are on your targeted list of prospective employers.
Related reading: Create a Personal Brand That Sets You Apart
What is the purpose of an introduction letter?
This type of letter can be used for a variety of purposes, of course. For example, you might want to use a letter of introduction to:
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Showcase your interest in working for a specific company, even if they're not currently advertising any open position
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Demonstrate your powerful written communication skills to prospective employers
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Expand on the qualifications you've highlighted in your resume
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Introduce yourself to potential new clients or customers
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Highlight your competencies as a freelance or contract worker
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Expand your network
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Begin an ongoing dialogue with new colleagues and team members
Tips for writing an effective letter of introduction for a job
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Research the company. Always make sure you do your homework and fully understand the company's business model, mission, vision, and culture.
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Be clear about your intention. Try to stick to one clear goal in your letter and be clear about your expectations.
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Adopt a professional tone. Be as authentic as possible while maintaining a professional tone throughout the letter.
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Be as brief as possible. Whether you're sending this letter through email or the postal service, it's important to be brief. Most people receive more messages than they can wade through in a day, so be respectful of the recipient's time.
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Focus on value. Tailor your message to focus on the type of value that you may be able to bring to that company. If you can't think of any way that you can benefit the company, then there's no reason to contact them.
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Make sure that you proofread the document. Edit and proofread your letter multiple times before you send it out. An error-filled letter won't make the right type of impression.
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Schedule follow-up communication. Make sure you keep track of your letter submissions so that you can regularly follow up on those messages. This can help keep you on the hiring manager's radar when opportunities arise.
Related reading: Top 15 Professional Goals and How to Achieve Them
Step-by-step guide to writing a letter of introduction
1. Start with a greeting
Always start by adding a friendly greeting to open the message. This greeting should begin with either “Hello” or “Hi” and include the recipient's name. Make sure that you do your homework to identify the appropriate name for this salutation, to ensure that you provide your letter of introduction with a compelling personal touch.
2. Briefly state your reason for reaching out
Since this is going to be a fairly brief message, there's no point in wasting time with small talk. Introduce yourself by name and explain exactly why you're reaching out to the company. That reason can include your interest in joining their team, shared values and goals, and job titles that you've held that might provide value for their company.
3. Detail your experience and qualifications
With your purpose outlined, it's time to highlight the key skills and experiences that showcase your potential value as a future member of their team. Make sure you focus on skills and notable experiences that align with the company's mission and the industry. The goal here is to demonstrate that you have what it takes to fit within their organization.
Related reading: What Are Skills? (With Examples and Tips on How to Improve Them)
4. Focus on your quantifiable achievements
It's also important to detail a few of your most important accomplishments. Again, try to highlight achievements that are relevant to the company and use real numbers that demonstrate the type of benefits your results provided. Your objective is to help the reader understand how your skills and experiences provide measurable value for your employers.
Related reading: 47 Accomplishment Examples for Your Resume: Expert Picks
5. Mention your goal and include a call to action
Once you've outlined your purpose and introduced yourself as a potential asset, it's time to bring the letter to a close by defining your goals. Provide a simple call to action that encourages the reader to take the next step.
6. Conclude with expression of gratitude and signature
To close, thank the recipient for their time and let them know that you're looking forward to being in contact with them soon. Then, add several lines of white space for a signature, with your typed name and contact details at the end of the document.
Letter of introduction template
Dear [Contact Person's Name],
My name is [Your Name], and I'm a [Job Title] with [Years of Experience] as a [Job Title]. I am writing today to introduce myself and explore available opportunities to add my talents to your wonderful team.
During my time as a [Job Title], I have developed my [List of Relevant Skills], collaborating with colleagues and clients to provide consistently amazing results for customers. My experiences in [List relevant experiences and specialties that align with the company's mission and goals] could be of tremendous value to your company.
[Write a brief paragraph that describes a notable achievement that added value to your employer's company. Outline the challenge you faced, the task you were assigned, what you did, and how your actions created value. Use real numbers to quantify that value.]
I have included my resume with this letter of introduction in case you're interested in learning more. If you have available time and interest, I would love to have a chance to meet with you to explore any potential opportunities with your company.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration. I look forward to speaking with you again soon.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Contact Details]
Use a letter of introduction to expand your job search opportunities
If you've been struggling to expand your job search and career opportunities, a letter of introduction may be just what you need to get your foot through more doors. By learning how to write an introductory letter, you can start to develop more connections with prospective future employers – before they even know they're looking to hire. Good luck with your job search!
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