Don't ignore the past. A contact is anyone who might remember you. It's better to write to someone who vaguely remembers you than to a total stranger. One senior executive client recently found a job through someone he had barely known in high school! In an earlier letter, Michael wrote to fellow-classmates he had never even met. (He got a lot of good responses, too.)
This letter's appeal is akin to that of the FEI letter: "We're all members of the same elite group." And most groups do think they're elite.
MICHAEL D. BURNS
Two Thousand Oaks Towers | 2000 W. Federal St | Boston, MA 02110
C: (617) 765-9898 | H: (617) 795-2785 | mburns@hotmail.com
January 2, 20––
Mr. Fred Morris
Occidental Petroleum, Inc.
9900 West 95th Avenue
Los Angeles, California 92715
Dear Fred:
It's been quite a while since we've been in touch, and I hope this letter finds things going well for you.
As for me, these years have been filled with change and I've never been bored. The enclosed resume plus the excerpt from Fortune magazine will give you a snapshot of what I've been doing until recently when I left the investment advisory business to start marketing myself for re-entry into the corporate world.
Since leaving Amoco, I have found that I really enjoy working in smaller, more entrepreneurial businesses and that's what I'm looking for now. My job target is a position with a high management content, either in operations or financial areas. It would ideally be with a company that is perhaps two to ten years old and has sales of $5 to $50 million. Although I am not looking for investment opportunities, I might consider a limited investment in the right situation. Geographic location is not a major consideration.
I am focusing my attention outside oil and hardrock mining, and although a current favorite industry of mine is hazardous waste, I am open to any opportunity that has growth potential.
Should you become aware of any of your business associates, friends, etc., that might be interested in my abilities, I would appreciate your sending them a copy of my resume, or letting me have their names so I can contact them personally.
Fred, any assistance or advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated, but regardless of whether you are aware of anything, I'd like to get a note from you to hear how you are. Or better yet, a phone call.
Best regards,
Michael D. Burns
MDB/
Enclosures