Inquiry letter
The
meaning of inquiry letter
Inquiry
letter is a letters that are written for collecting information about job
seekers, prices, products, and services before awarding jobs, granting credit,
making contracts and giving promotions are known as letters of inquiry. These
letters are written to a third party seeking information about either a job or
a company that wishes to make business relationship.
Prospective
employers and business organizations usually write inquiry letters for
obtaining desired information. Prospective employers write this letter to the
referees mentioned in the job application to obtain information about the
applicant’s personal and family background, ability, skills, honesty,
character, integrity, quality of performance, fitness for job etc. on the other
hand, business enterprises write inquiry letters to third parties referred by
the customers to know about their business dealings, financial capabilities and
goodwill to determine whether to establish business relationships with those
enterprises.
Types
of inquiry letter
Based on purpose, there are two most
common types of inquiry letters such as (1) personal status inquiry letter and
(2) business status inquiry letter.
Ø Personal status inquiry letter: The letters that are written by prospective employers for
obtaining information about job applicants are called personal status inquiry
letter. Employers write this letter to obtain information relating to the
applicant’s personal and family background, ability, skills, honesty,
character, integrity, quality of performance, fitness for job etc. generally
this letter is written to the referees mentioned by the concerned applicant. In
response to this letter, the referees write a reply letter to the employer.
This response letter may be favorable, unfavorable or neutral to the applicant.
Ø Business status inquiry letter: When a business enterprise writes letter to another
business enterprise for collecting information about a prospective customer, it
is known as business status inquiry letter. This letter is usually
written for collecting information about financial capability, goodwill, nature
of business dealings, honesty etc. of a business enterprise to determine
whether to establish business transactions with it. Responses of this letter
may be either favorable or unfavorable.
Why to Write a Letter of Inquiry
A letter of inquiry is a good way to
connect with a company.
Because the letter
is unsolicited, sending it shows that you're proactive, and have a genuine
interest in the company. As well as inquiring about open or upcoming positions,
a letter of inquiry can also be used to set up an information
interview with human resources or higher level employees.
While the company may not be hiring
currently, or may not have a job posted that is appropriate for you, a letter
of inquiry will help you be on the company's radar when opportunities that are
suitable for you arise.
Finding a Contact
It's best to be able to address your
letter of inquiry to someone specific, rather than having a generic greeting
such as "Dear Sir or Madam" or "To Whom It May Concern."
Check with your friends, family, and network to see if you know anyone at the
company.
LinkedIn can be helpful for tracking
down connections, as well as providing you with a communication method. See
more tips for how to find contacts at a company.
You can send a letter of inquiry to
people in the human resources department, or to manager-level contact in the
department you'd ideally like to work in.
What to Include in Your Job Inquiry Letter
Inquiry letters should contain
information on why the company interests you, and how and why your skills and
experience would be an asset to the company.
Politeness and brevity are key when
it comes to writing a letter of inquiry — remember, you're aiming to make a
good impression, and show that you'd be an asset to the company. Follow the
same tone and guidelines you'd use if you were writing a cover letter for
an advertised job.
Unlike a cover letter, you can't use
the job description to determine which qualifications and experience to
highlight. Instead, emphasize how your skills and experience would be helpful
to the company overall. Use the letter of inquiry to sell yourself, putting a
spotlight on the strengths you'd offer the company, and why the company's
mission and goals appeal to you.
How to Send a Job Inquiry Letter
Inquiry letters can be sent via mail
or email. However, because you are asking about employment opportunities with a
company rather than for a specific job opening, a mailed paper letter can make
a much better impression than an email message which may not be opened or read.
Example
of inquiry letter
PT.
DUTA SURYA
Street
Harapan Indah No. 06
Bekasi
oct
16, 2016
PT.
DAMATRA
Street
Cipinang No. 26
Jakarta
Timur
Dear
Sir or Madam,
When we attended the International Electronics Trade Fair in Grand Galaxy Bekasi
last month, we visited your stand and saw a very interesting demonstration of
your automatic high-security garage doors. The ability to drive straight in and
out of your garage from the comfort of your car, as well as your emphasis on
theft protection appealed to us. We believe that there is a ready market for this
in the Indonesia.Our company is a wholly owned subsidiary of the international Zetax Corporation, well-known in the security and theft prevention industry.
Would you please send us your current sales literature and price list? Of course, we will be glad to provide the usual credit and trade reverences if we decide to order from your company.
Sincerely
Marketing Director
Muhammad Fadil
