The E-mail You Should Never Write

Posted on 12/16/09 in Candidate Advice, View Comments

Yesterday, I received the following e-mail in my Examiner.com inbox:

SUBJECT: Collegue looking for Assistance

Hello:

I am so sorry to bother you but I need your help. I have decided to return to journalism and am looking for an opportunity to get my foot in the door. If you know of any openings or opportunities, I would be more than grateful for your help. I would even be interested in an internship if it meant getting my feet wet again. Please find my resume and writing samples attached. I appreciate whatever you can do and await your reply.

Make your day count,

[Name]

At first glance, I can point out a number of things wrong with this outreach, starting with the misspelled “Collegue” in the subject line. Second, I have never heard of this person before in my life, yet she e-mails me like we go way back. Oh wait, no she doesn’t because she simply opens up her e-mail with “Hello.” And I am actually BCC’d — this e-mail was sent to a number of people.

Finally, her resume really needs some work. I will spare her by not posting any piece of it here, but I strongly recommend she revise it before mass e-mailing it to any more people.

Sorry to be harsh, but I help a lot of people — 99% of that help is given at no cost and on my own time. So, to receive an e-mail that is such a poor attempt at even asking for my help is a bit insulting.

With that, I wish her the best of luck in her endeavors, and should she apologize for the initial e-mail and actually ask for help respectfully, I will be happy to oblige.

What are your thoughts about this approach? Have you ever randomly e-mailed someone asking for help and gotten a great response?

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  • Charlene

    I recently received several LinkedIn messages asking for a recommendation on a former colleague who I knew from chatting with over a quick coffee break but never actually worked with.  I ignored the first request thinking it was in error but then received 3 more requests before I politely sent a message back saying I did not think I was the best person to ask as we had never worked together on anything and that if he’d like a recommendation based on his coffee preferences I was more than happy to oblige. The requests stopped and I never did receive a response or apology.

  • Charlene

    I recently received several LinkedIn messages asking for a recommendation on a former colleague who I knew from chatting with over a quick coffee break but never actually worked with.  I ignored the first request thinking it was in error but then received 3 more requests before I politely sent a message back saying I did not think I was the best person to ask as we had never worked together on anything and that if he’d like a recommendation based on his coffee preferences I was more than happy to oblige. The requests stopped and I never did receive a response or apology.

  • Heather R. Huhman

    Posting this comment on behalf of another reader:I kind of fall into the same category as the author of the
    letter you received. I emailed complete strangers for help and occasionally got
    a positive response. In the following, I am reproducing the exact
    body of the letter without the specifics. I would truly appreciate your honest comments/feedback/suggestions on the letter. It would be really useful in
    my job search to know the ‘sense’ & ‘feel’ (for want of better vocabulary)
    my letter is conveying. Thank you very much in advance.

    Here is the letter:

    Dear
    Madam,I found your email ID from the internet and am writing to you. I am Xxx, a graduate from the University of Xxx. I graduated in Xxx with a Master’s in Xxx. Since then I have been looking for employment.I am very much interested in working for Xxx and would be thankful if you can take a look at my credentials and consider them if suitable. Attached is my resume for your convenience.I am looking for entry level positions, particularly a position wherein I can put to use my transferable analytical and problem solving skills. I have identified two such positions at Xxx.The following are the job descriptions:1. Xxx2. XxxThese are a couple of job postings, I found in the careers section of Xxx. I am more than willing to be considered for any other such positions wherein Xxx recruits people from various backgrounds. Also, I would like to mention that I am open to any kind of work and relocating anywhere in the USA.I have been unsuccessfully searching for an employment for the past 1 year. Thus,I would be ever so thankful for any kind of help from your side. I apologize for causing you any inconvenience by contacting you in this manner.Thank you for your time and patience. I look forward to hearing from you.”Sincerely, Xxx

  • Heather R. Huhman

    Posting this comment on behalf of another reader:

    I kind of fall into the same category as the author of the
    letter you received. I emailed complete strangers for help and occasionally got
    a positive response. In the following, I am reproducing the exact
    body of the letter without the specifics. I would truly appreciate your honest comments/feedback/suggestions on the letter. It would be really useful in
    my job search to know the ‘sense’ & ‘feel’ (for want of better vocabulary)
    my letter is conveying. Thank you very much in advance.

    Here is the letter:

    Dear
    Madam,

    I found your email ID from the internet and am writing to you. I am Xxx, a graduate from the University of Xxx. I graduated in Xxx with a Master’s in Xxx. Since then I have been looking for employment.

    I am very much interested in working for Xxx and would be thankful if you can take a look at my credentials and consider them if suitable. Attached is my resume for your convenience.

    I am looking for entry level positions, particularly a position wherein I can put to use my transferable analytical and problem solving skills. I have identified two such positions at Xxx.The following are the job descriptions:

    1. Xxx

    2. Xxx

    These are a couple of job postings, I found in the careers section of Xxx. I am more than willing to be considered for any other such positions wherein Xxx recruits people from various backgrounds. Also, I would like to mention that I am open to any kind of work and relocating anywhere in the USA.

    I have been unsuccessfully searching for an employment for the past 1 year. Thus,I would be ever so thankful for any kind of help from your side. I apologize for causing you any inconvenience by contacting you in this manner.

    Thank you for your time and patience. I look forward to hearing from you.”

    Sincerely, 

    Xxx

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