Andik,
As I read your letter, I get the impression that you are very formal, rigid. That is the antithesis of me. I like to be opportunistic. Fine, there are guidelines, but are there other opportunities. Do I need to follow all the rules? What happens if I break them?
In your letter, you appear to be using an advertisement for another position an excuse for submitting your own resume for a legal position? True? If that is the case, why not ignore the “advertisement” and just set up your own meeting?
Let’s revise your letter. I will be making changes throughout?
You’ll note that I have not submitted your resume. At this point, you just want to meet the person. You can meet for coffee or whatever. If there is a connection, then provide a resume. Perhaps if it is a dead end, the person to whom you are writing will know of another opportunity? Keep your options open. Use this initial conversation as an ice breaker. You want to get face time. Who is going to refuse a cup of coffee and a half hour to get to know someone?
Good luck.
MountainHiker
Your name
Your address
January 8th, 2005
Mr. James Wolf
Director of Recruitment
ABC
2 Elm street,
Anytown 1000
Anycountry
Dear Mr. James Wolf: [colon in North America]
I am writing to you to learn more about your company. I would like to meet with you briefly to discuss your company.
I am a lawyer with greater than five years experience at a prominent law firm. My specialty is structuring complex customs and tax issues for cross-border transactions as well drafting corporate documents [for a great deal of enterprises to be registered in Anycountry….make the rest of the sentence flow.] At the present time I am a leading lawyer (partner?) who is responsible for developing less senior colleagues and managing team projects.
My personal strengths are a positive attitude, exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to work in a team, accept challenging assignments, ability to focus my energy and firm’s resources on the desired end result, and deliver results.
I would like to invite you for coffee to discuss your company. More specifically, I am interested in learning more about your company’s culture and its goals. I will call within two weeks to arrange to meet for coffee. I look forward to meeting you.
Kind regards,
First Last Name
See bold changes--edit: My personal strengths are a positive attitude, exceptional interpersonal skills, ability to work in a team, accept challenging assignments, ability to focus my energy and firm’s resources on the desired objectives, and deliver results.
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