Letter to former employer about getting job back

[dismom2005]

I need help please I am trying to write a short e-mail to my former boss at my former employer of 5+ years about returning to the company. I left the company a few years ago to spend more time with my kids and to work PT. I have heard through the grapevine that there is an opportunity available and want to be considered. I left on good terms but don't quite know how to express that to my former boss in an e-mail. The grapevine also told me to put it in writing since the boss prefers that method to telephone. Thanks!

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

I would suggest a written letter, not an e-mail.

emphasise how much you enjoyed working there with all the co-workers and how you felt comfortable with him as your boss.

maybe something about how you hated to leave but your family needed you at that time.

 

[LuvOrlando]

I agree, be gracious but don't beat around the bush in case there are other people on line for the job. Make sure this one note makes it plain that you would love an opportunity to return to your old job now that your kids are older if he/she would consider you for the position. Good luck

 

[m&m's mom]

I am not so sure about the letter vs the email. If you are on friendly terms with your old boss, I would send an email.
In my office, who knows where real mail goes. I cannot remember the last time I got "real" mail. I guess there is a secretary somewhere that opens and distributes it.
Also, on an email it takes less time and you know he will actually get it directly.

 

[Kitzka]

I thik it is fine to email. In this day and age real letters take forever to be routed to the correct person and if they are thinking of filling the job internally, you need to let them know that you are interested.

I would prob be upfront with why you are writing. Start with a salutation andinquiring about how your old boss is doing, etc. Then i would say something like you heard that the position of such and such was available. You would be interested in hearing the direction that the position, company etc has taken in the past years and that you are interested in the position. Possibly remind the boss about a great project you worked on to refresh his or her memory of what you can do.

Also, since jobs are hard to come by these days, if you still have a freind in the company ask them to mention you to the boss.

This was how i hired my new asst development manager. A girl who use to work here was looking for a position and her freind who still worked here mentioned that she was in the market to come back and i made sure to look over her resume more closely and brought her in for an interview. We hired her and it was seemless transition.

Lara

 

[kimmar067]

I would suggest a written letter, not an e-mail....emphasize how much you enjoyed working there with all the co-workers....

....wow, did this actual sensible word of advice come outta YOU??? BTW ~ ITA...

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My husband got his current job via an initial e-mail contact. He e-mailed just for some basic part-time work to keep his security clearance active while he was accepting a job for another company that had no need for his clearance. He didn't want to lose it so e-mailed this man who owned his own company.

The e-mail turned into a counter offer for FT employment.

I think e-mail is fine and I would keep it simple and professional. Don't assume that you'll get the position by being coy or anything.

Perhaps include an updated resume attached to the e-mail.

My husband is in the engineering field though and all correspondence (a or e--I don't know!) is via e-mail or phone. Mailing and shipping is simply used for product and documents. They don't have time to wait for the USPS and snail mail.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

and it takes one mouse click to delete an e-mail.

A letter is something that shows you are interested enough to write it. And when it is physically in their hands, there is a lot of importance attached to make them think in a positive way that they should consider it.

and I know a lot of business owners that don't read their e-mail, an admin person screens them.

 

[jeepgirl30]

I can't remember when I received any real mail either. I barely even look at it when the office manager brings it around anymore. She doesn't deliever mail every day anymore, usually every other day.

Still, an actual letter would be a nice touch. Perhaps send the letter and do a follow up email stating the letter is a follow up to the letter you sent.

I know the majority of people I work with rely on email much more than mail.

 

[quentina]

Phone call...direct and personal. Email and notes are easily missed.