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Ask For Advice And Information For Human Resources
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Like most managers, I receive dozens of letters from job hunters wanting to meet. Most letters are off-target and poorly written, so I file or discard them. Also, like most managers, my time for optional meetings is limited. So in order to impress me, a job hunter has to convince me that a meeting would benefit both of us.

This letter worked beautifully. The moment I read it I knew I'd be willing to meet with Paula. She said she would call me, and I waited to see if she did. She did call, as promised. But even if she hadn't, I would have called her. This is a good letter because: 

  • The writer explains her connection to me, when and where we met. (A Colorado Human Resources Association meeting.)
  • She also reminds me that I said professionals are willing to help others. Very nice touch.
  • She directly asks for my help—there's no ambiguity about her purpose.
  • The phrase "after much soul searching" indicates she's been hard at work on her own career. She won't be coming to me for all the answers.
  • Her background, organizational development, is something I know something about.
  • She asks for 30 minutes of my time, letting me know she will be brief.
  • She promises to call me, and follows through.

Simple, straightforward, and honest, this was a letter I could not refuse. Based on the letter, I met Paula, and talked to her about her career. The next time you want to meet someone new, try this simple, open and honest approach. It's hard to beat.


PAULA C. MCCARTHY
1900 East Iliff Avenue | Denver Colorado 80237
C: 303/555-1212 | H: 303/555-1313 | pmcarthy@example.com


April 7, 20–– 

Mr. William S. Frank
President
CareerLab
10475 Park Meadows Drive, STE 600
Lone Tree, CO 80124

Dear Bill:

I've had the opportunity to chat with you briefly during several CHRA-sponsored events. During one of our conversations, you mentioned that most professionals are very willing to assist others with advice and networking opportunities. At this particular point in my career search, I could use your help.

After much soul searching, I've concluded that my passion lies within the arena of organizational development. I have 21 years of progressive Human Resources experience with the last 12-plus years as a Human Resources Director in the hotel industry.

My experience includes change management, leadership development, conflict resolution, career management, teambuilding, and management effectiveness.

I am accustomed to a fast-paced environment where deadlines are priority, handling multiple jobs is the norm, and the only thing constant is change. I thrive on challenge and feel my skills and experience are easily transferable.

In the same breath, I understand there are several obstacles to clear in making this transition. Because of your expertise in this arena, I would appreciate it if you could spare 30 minutes of your time to discuss the challenges and share any contacts that may also be in position to assist me. I will call you next week to inquire about your availability.

With enthusiasm,

Paula McCarthy

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William S. Frank, M.A., President/CEO
25 Reasons I love consulting.
by William S. Frank
  1. Brand. You are your own brand, and you can define it any way you want. For many years, I provided outplacement to the ex-employees of Schlumberger, the world's largest oilfield service corporation. When departing employees left the company, they didn't request outplacement in their severance package. They said, "I want Bill Frank."
  2. Demand. The world will always be full of terrible problems that need solving.
  3. White Hat. I can be a helper and get paid for it.
  4. Pay. I can be paid to do things I'd gladly do for nothing.
  5. Variety. Every day is different.
  6. Happiness. At this stage of my career, I only work for people I respect and care about. If a client micromanages me or is otherwise no fun, I complete the assignment and replace them.
  7. Talent. I'm using 110% of my talents and stretching myself to the max.
  8. Change. I can change my focus any day I want. If you're a McDonald's franchisee, you don't say, "Hey, I've got this great idea for a meatball sandwich—let's try it out today." In consulting you can adjust your focus hour-by-hour, as long as your clients still understand and appreciate what you do.
  9. Income. No one else would pay me as much as I pay myself.
  10. FUN. I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing.
  11. Retirement. I can write and consult as long as I am physically and mentally capable. Peter Drucker worked into his 90s, and when asked which book was his best, he said: "My next one."
  12. Job Security. Although clients come and go, no one can come into my office and say, "Pack up your stuff . . . You don't work here anymore." In 29 years, I've only had one employer: ME.
  13. Travel. I don't have to travel unless I decide to. I travel if it's both FUN and profitable—or at least FUN.
  14. Commute. I live five minutes from my office, a corner office in an upscale six-story tower. In winter, I leave a heated garage at home and drive to an underground heated garage at work. There's seldom time to hear even one song on the radio.
  15. Vacation. Consulting is more fun than vacation (except on Wailea Beach in Maui).
  16. Friends. I have developed hundreds of close acquaintances and several lifetime friends.
  17. Time. I can work as much or as little as I like: four-hour days or 18-hour days. (Of course, my income will reflect that.)
  18. Employees. I can work with employees, subcontractors, partners, or alone—I've done it all.
  19. Passive Income. I've developed several products that provide "mailbox money." I earn while I'm sleeping.
  20. Ethics. I've never had to violate my values or personal code of ethics. I've never had to lie, purposely deceive or harm others, or promise things I can't deliver. I go to bed with a clear conscience. That doesn't mean there's never any conflict. But the conflict is conducted according to generally accepted business practices.
  21. Virtual. My career is fairly portable. With the Internet, e-mail, cell phone, and FedEx, I can work nationally, even internationally from my office—or anywhere in the world.
  22. Purpose. I make a difference in peoples' lives every day. I see it in their faces, hear it in their voices, and read it in their thank-yous.
  23. Experience. Every painful or joyful life experience makes me a better consultant. So does every person I meet or book I read. Grey hair can be good in consulting.
  24. Structure. I have to work very hard, and the clients expect superb results—but I get to structure my days, weeks, months, and years.
  25. Boss. Most of the time, I love my boss.
As I was posting these letters online, I realized I want to communicate my love for consulting. It's just a great business. The single letters, taken together, may create a picture of enjoyment, but in a burst of creativity I listed some of the reasons consulting is such a good fit for me—and perhaps for you, too. They are not prioritized; this is just how they came out.